Advance seniors in search of 4th straight winning volleyball season

The pieces appear in place for another successful season for the Advance Hornets varsity volleyball team.

The Hornets return six seniors off of last season's squad that finished 16-13-2 and enjoyed its third straight winning season.

"I think we will definitely be competitive," said Advance coach Dana Below, who's varsity has put together a combined 56-19-3 record over the past three seasons. "We had moments where we played really well this summer and then moments that did not look good. Hopefully, we can build on what we did this summer."

Among the returning seniors is third-year standout starter Hannah Clark.

"She played defense in the past and this year she will have to play defensively and set," Below said of Clark. "She will switch gears a little bit and do more setting, which she has done in the past for me when she was younger."

Other seniors on the squad are Madeline Kennedy, Kendra Sokolowski, Denae Cato, Kimsey Lillard and Krystal James.

"Kendra, Kimsey and Denae will play defensively," Below said. "Maddie, Krystal and Hannah will do some hitting. Hannah will also do some setting, as well."

The Hornets six seniors are accompanied by juniors Jordan Eaton, Haleah Wallace and Levis Garner.

"All three juniors played junior varsity last season," Below said. "I'm hoping to see them pick it up and do a good job for me."

The Hornets also have six freshmen and four sophomores in their program. Freshmen in the program are: Madison Wuebker, Ashtyn Oriskill, Alanis Below, Raylee Metcalf, Leah Ballin and Clare Costello. Sophomores in the program are: Alicia Sullinger, India Phillips, Megan Lee and Brylee Morse.

"I have a really strong underclassmen group that could possibly vie for some playing time on varsity," Below said. "My eighth grade team won the SCAA Tournament. We are hoping to use that talent to strengthen our varsity team at times."

Below said she expects plenty of aces from her squad this season.

"Based on the summer play I would think it's serving," Below said, when asked to identify the strength of the team. "Our servers have the potential to put together some really legitimate serves. As long as we are consistent we will be very aggressive serving this year."

Advance opens its season at Meadow Heights on Aug. 22 before competing in the Woodland Invitational near Marble Hill, Mo., Aug. 25-29.

"I see the usuals being strong," Below said of the Woodland Tournament. "Advance, Woodland, Leopold and Saxony Lutheran are really strong. Leopold returns some really solid players this year. Saxony has a new coach and they are excited and Woodland is really picking up their program."

DUSTIN WARD - dward@dailystatesman.com Pictured is the Advance junior varsity volleyball team. Members of the team are (bottom row left to right): Alicia Sullinger, India Phillips, Clare Costello, Leah Ballin and Raylee Metcalf; (top row left to right): Megan Lee, Brylee Morse, Alanis Below, Ashtyn Oriskill and Madison Wuebker.

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Advance Volleyball Schedule

Date Opponent Site

8/22 Meadow Heights Away

8/25-29 Woodland Tournament Away

9/2 Scott City Away

9/4 Oak Ridge Home

9/5 Richland Home

9/9 Bernie Away

9/11 Leopold Home

9/12-13 Dig for Life Tourn. Cape Gir.

9/15 Notre Dame Home

9/18 Saxony Lutheran Home

9/22 Dexter Home

9/25 Puxico Away

9/26 Oran Away

9/29 Sikeston Away

9/30 Bloomfield Home

10/2 Zalma Home

10/6-10 SCAA Tournament Bloomfield

10/13 Bell City Away

10/17 Woodland Home