Jones hopeful to build winner at Sweet Springs
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 — PAGE 13
by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER
In the early 1980s, Alicia Jones played an integral part on two state-championship volleyball teams for the Santa Fe Lady Chiefs. Now, the 1984 SFHS graduate has a new challenge, as for the first time, she is a head coach of a high school volleyball team — the Sweet Springs Lady Greyhounds. Winning has not been a staple at Sweet Springs, but Jones, who is the sister of University of Missouri All-American Yvette Buhlig, has confidence she can lead the Lady Greyhounds from the depths of the bottom half of the I-70 Conference to the top four. In order to do so, Jones, who is being assisted by Robin McMains, will have to figure out how to replace five starters. Gone are twins, Ashleigh and Nicole Bright as middle blocker and outside hitter, respectively; defensive specialist, Anna Eckhoff; setter, Megan Evans; and middle blocker, Olivia Loges. “We lost some very strong players from last year,� Jones said. Still, the Lady Greyhounds had trouble getting their footing by finishing 1-6 in the I-70 Conference and 6-13-2 overall. Despite the loss of the talent, including Loges and Evans being named to the honorable-mention list of the all-conference selections, Jones is hopeful the Lady Greyhounds can improve, with a roster that numbers 27, including five seniors, six juniors and nine sophomores. Miranda Tyler, a 5-foot-9 senior, and 55 senior Kortnee Vaught will provide some power as outside hitters. “Miranda is a strong hitter, as well as an aggressive server,� Jones said. “She is taking on some new roles, and we are excited to see what she can do. “Kort is our one returning (starter) from last year. She is such a hard worker and is able to take on any assignments we task her.� Tori Hinton, a 5-6 junior, is slated to fill the role as the middle hitter. “Tori adds definite strength to our offense,� Jones, a
Sarah Reed/The Concordian
Members of the Sweet Springs High school volleyball team (from left) are: (front) Kayla Bowlin, Miranda Tyler, Kortnee Vaught, Bailey Coyer, Hayden Dodds; (second row) Jacqueline Bowlin, Hannah Veits, Madison Vogelsmeier, Brooke Vogelsmeier, Addison Eckhoff, Lynzi Miller, Taylor Love; (third row) Coach Alicia Jones, Mikayla Nieman, Natasha Love, Sydney Vaught, Summer McBryar, Brooke Conner, Allison Morrison, Lauren Eagle, Ashley Corn, Assistant Coach Robin McMains; (back) Katelyn Evans, Chelsea Schroeder, Olivia Hagar, Kathryn Hollingsworth, Emily Phillips, Jolynda Sampson. Team members not pictured are: Tori Hinton, Manager Katelin Looney, Manager Brianne Looney 2010 graduate of William Woods University in Fulton, said. “She is a versatile hitter who will be a big contributor.� Jones said 5-3 junior Addison Eckhoff is in line to be the team’s setter. “Addy provides the leadership and communication we will need offensively, and also in her defensive role for the team,� Jones said. As important as it is to be strong offensively, Jones is excited about the team’s defense. “It is great to see the hustle and hard defensive work we have seen,� she said. Jones, who has been the head coach of the Static Volleyball Club since 2010 — coaching youth players ages 7-12 and 13-18 — thinks the Lady Greyhounds will be able to put some balls down with power. “We have some very solid hitters, and (we are) looking forward to nice things,� she said. Jones said the setters provide excellent leadership and will be a strength, and the defense “works hard and very well together.� Jones, who was the assistant coach for the William
“We have some very solid hitters, and (we are) looking forward to nice things. . .�
Woods Lady Owls — a team led by Santa Fe graduate Jenny Mueller, who is now the head coach at Pittsburgh State University — during 2008-10, points to leadership as a positive. “We have strength in our leadership and have big expectations for our season,� she said. “We will play to our strengths. “The ladies work very well together, and we are just excited to get on the move and bring it to the court when we start playing other teams.� Jones said the Lady Greyhounds will need to be able to do it all. “We will have to play solid ,R ,UH\KRXQGV
offensively and be a strong defensive presence� to be suc- 'T 5QPCNF +KPVQP ''6 cessful, she said. “We will 6 0KNNGT need to focus on playing our 6YGGV 6RTKPIU 02 game and putting the ball down.�