PAGE 18 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 27, 2014
MacLean takes over Inexperience could hinder Lady Bearcats said. Lady Mules' program byS HobbyW King Another middle hitter will be 5-8 sophomore PORTS
by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER
RITER
The Orrick Lady Bearcats' volleyball team will be under the direction of a new head coach in 2014. Mentoring the Lady Bearcats will be Lauren Duvall, a 2009 Crest Ridge High School and 2013 graduate of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Duvall is familiar with the Lady Bearcats' program having been an assistant coach on the varsity level and the junior high head coach last year. She also has head-coaching experience, leading the Crest Ridge junior-high team in 2009 and 2010. The Lady Bearcats, who won the Class 1, District 15 championship in 2013 before losing to Santa Fe in the sectional round of the state playoffs, lost four players — Madison Winters, Sydnee McGlothlin, Shaina Cook and Madison Endsley-- to graduation. “All contributed leadership to the team,” Duvall said. Endsley earned all-conference and all-district honors. Duvall has a roster of 18, including three seniors, five juniors and five sophomores. Hannah Thurnau, a 5 foot-5 inch junior, is a returning starter as an outside hitter. “She is recovering from a previous injury, but will be a great addition when she returns,” Duvall said. “We have several young players that we are looking to step up to the challenge of filling varsity shoes.” Senior Sam Fulte, a 5 foot-9 inch middle hitter, returns as a starter. She also earned all-conference and all-district honors. “Her natural athletic ability makes her a threat on offense and defense,” Duvall
After being under the direction of Gayla Surber the last 3-1/2 years, the Lone Jack Lady Mules' volleyball team will now be head coached by Jerry MacLean, who last was head coach in the first half of the 2010 campaign. MacLean has a lengthy list of experience as a volleyball head coach including nine years at Blue Springs South, four years at Pleasant Hill and four years at Santa Fe, where he also was head football coach for eight to 10 years. MacLean, who will be assisted by Senae Fenton, takes over a program that lost a key player, Hailey Nazworthy, to graduation. Nazworthy received a scholarship to play voleyball at Missouri Valley College in Marshall this fall. MacLean who was an assistant football coach last year, hasn't set a starting line-up yet, but he did mention three players vying for starting spots as outside hitters. The list includes seniors Rachel Anderson and Sammy Kralicek, both of whom started last year, and sophomore Ashton Stroupes. At middle hitter, MacLean said there are four top candidates including senior Sammy Lund, sophomores Savannah Lyons and Andie Arnone and freshman Malaina Kirk. “They work really hard. We just don't have any seasoned hitters,” MacLean said. MacLean said the Lady Mules will be least experienced at setter where four players are trying to nail down the starter's role. He said senior Lydia Becbar, sophomore Taylor Meeks and freshmen Mattie Eichelburger and Kennedy Hurlock. MacLean said the strength of the team is its passing. But the hitters are not tall, many of them Good luck to all the area teams! being around 5 foot-2 inches in height. “They are willing to put in the effort to get better,” Over 19,000 Pairs of Boots he said. WESTERN HOME DECOR MacLean said he is APPAREL & GIFTS www.kleinboot.com ready to get back to volleyball after being on the side(800) 258-BOOT (2668) lines of the gridiron. Exit 49 • I-70 & 13 Hwy. Mon-Sat: 9 to 7 “I like all of the sports, 19715 Outer Rd. Fridays ’till 8 but volleyball is the best to Higginsville, MO 64037 Fax (660) 584-6455 me,” he said.
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Madison Fulte, who played varsity last year. “She has determination and is a natural athlete,” Duvall said. “Madison is young, but is developing skills and knowledge to become an outstanding player.” Setter is a position up in the air. “We have a couple of young athletes that have been working during the off-season to improve their setting skills,” Duvall said. “Sophomores Madison O'Dell and Kaitlin Arnold are both potential varsity setters. Both girls have the ability to play as hitters, as well.” Sydney Boude, a 5-5 junior, is a top candidate to be the libero. “Boude has previous experience as a defensive specialist,” Duvall said. “She is constantly improving her passing technique.” Duvall said the Lady Bearcats' hitters should be solid. “We are building strength every day,” she said. “The girls are learning to put power behind their hits and to be accurate with approaches and swings.” Duvall thinks defense will be a strength. “We have some great passers and girls that will work hard for the good of the team,” she said. Lack of experience on the varsity level could be a negative. “I'm sure whoever fills the varsity spots will learn quickly on what to expect,” Duvall said. So, what has to happen for the Lady Bearcats to be successful? “We need to focus on being consistent and accurate,” Duvall said. “We need to continue to work on fundamentals. If we improve the little details in our fundamentals, we will be very successful.”
Good Luck To All I-70 Conference Teams!
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