Southwest volleyball serves up another season
August 21, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
Steve Voyak is beginning his 17th year of coaching volleyball at Southwest High in Washburn. After a high-impact summer of multiple practices, play dates and some league play in Mount Vernon, practices with his new team of players began on Monday, August 12.
This year, the first practice was attended by 30 qualified athletes, meaning that Southwest will have three teams this year: a varsity, junior varsity and C team.
Voyak believes that the strength in this year’s team lies with their energy and youth. In his opinion, the factors currently against his team stem from the majority of the team’s relative inexperience. Only one senior, Sarah Terry, signed on to play this season, but three juniors who won letters bring experience to the team, as well.
According to Voyak, early progress of the team was also stunted due to three players, Khloe Holder, Olivia Ayer and Bonnie Robbins, coming back from previous injuries.
“Khloe was cleared and played all summer but still has a ways to go,” said Voyak. “Olivia was cleared July 1 and started practice Monday. Bonnie is a question mark. She will miss some of the season, but we’re not sure just how much. She does love volleyball, so I know she is working as hard as she can because she wants to play. She came to a lot of our summer workouts even though she could not participate. She’s really dedicated.”
The 17-year coach also commented that, overall, the team still has work to do on the mechanics of passing, serving and hitting.
The height of his players also concerns Voyak, as no one on his squad is over 5’6” with only two players meeting that height.
In hopes of combating height challenges, Voyak is hoping that some of his players will be able to step up and lead the rest of the team to glory.
“Three other players we will be looking to for leadership will be junior Brylee Wilson, sophomore Olivia Ayer and senior Sarah Terry,” said Voyak. “Brylee did a nice job last season when all the injuries hit and stepped in and played some front row. We liked her on the right side, so now we are looking at her as full-time setter. She’s athletic and smart. Olivia was going to start as one of our middles as a freshmen before her injury. She’s also athletic, has some size and works hard. Sarah dressed varsity as a junior but only saw limited time. She made some progress in the summer.”
Voyak also expects strong performances this year from five students who are currently vying for permanent spots on the varsity squad. The players include: freshmen Emily Wilson and Jackie Quintanilla and sophomores Harleigh Jester, Shelbie Pendergraft and Amy Reeves.
Last year, Southwest’s varsity team ended the season with a record of 10-19-1 and a conference record of 3-4. Southwest fell by East Newton last year in the first round of districts.
On August 27, Southwest will play in the Purdy Jamboree at Purdy High School. These will be exhibition games for the purpose of acclimating new teams that won’t go against teams’ official win/loss records. Southwest will be joined in this Jamboree by the teams from Purdy, Cassville and Hurley.
Southwest volleyball’s season opener will be an away game against the team from Gentry, Ark., on Friday, August 30. Their home opener will be against Marionville on Thursday, September 5.
Additionally, Southwest will participate in two away tournaments this season. On Saturday, September 7, the team will play against several other area schools at the Verona invitational. On Saturday, September 28, the team will travel to Galena to play in their tournament, the Lady Bear Classic.
On Saturday, October 5, Southwest will host their own volleyball tournament, the 36th annual Southwest Volleyfest.
For any questions regarding the Southwest volleyball team or for additional game information, contact Southwest High School at (417) 826-5413 or go online to https://www.mshsaa.org/MySchool/Schedule.aspx?s=455&alg=57.
Vinnie Roberts
Steve Voyak is beginning his 17th year of coaching volleyball at Southwest High in Washburn. After a high-impact summer of multiple practices, play dates and some league play in Mount Vernon, practices with his new team of players began on Monday, August 12.
This year, the first practice was attended by 30 qualified athletes, meaning that Southwest will have three teams this year: a varsity, junior varsity and C team.
Voyak believes that the strength in this year’s team lies with their energy and youth. In his opinion, the factors currently against his team stem from the majority of the team’s relative inexperience. Only one senior, Sarah Terry, signed on to play this season, but three juniors who won letters bring experience to the team, as well.
According to Voyak, early progress of the team was also stunted due to three players, Khloe Holder, Olivia Ayer and Bonnie Robbins, coming back from previous injuries.
“Khloe was cleared and played all summer but still has a ways to go,” said Voyak. “Olivia was cleared July 1 and started practice Monday. Bonnie is a question mark. She will miss some of the season, but we’re not sure just how much. She does love volleyball, so I know she is working as hard as she can because she wants to play. She came to a lot of our summer workouts even though she could not participate. She’s really dedicated.”
The 17-year coach also commented that, overall, the team still has work to do on the mechanics of passing, serving and hitting.
The height of his players also concerns Voyak, as no one on his squad is over 5’6” with only two players meeting that height.
In hopes of combating height challenges, Voyak is hoping that some of his players will be able to step up and lead the rest of the team to glory.
“Three other players we will be looking to for leadership will be junior Brylee Wilson, sophomore Olivia Ayer and senior Sarah Terry,” said Voyak. “Brylee did a nice job last season when all the injuries hit and stepped in and played some front row. We liked her on the right side, so now we are looking at her as full-time setter. She’s athletic and smart. Olivia was going to start as one of our middles as a freshmen before her injury. She’s also athletic, has some size and works hard. Sarah dressed varsity as a junior but only saw limited time. She made some progress in the summer.”
Voyak also expects strong performances this year from five students who are currently vying for permanent spots on the varsity squad. The players include: freshmen Emily Wilson and Jackie Quintanilla and sophomores Harleigh Jester, Shelbie Pendergraft and Amy Reeves.
Last year, Southwest’s varsity team ended the season with a record of 10-19-1 and a conference record of 3-4. Southwest fell by East Newton last year in the first round of districts.
On August 27, Southwest will play in the Purdy Jamboree at Purdy High School. These will be exhibition games for the purpose of acclimating new teams that won’t go against teams’ official win/loss records. Southwest will be joined in this Jamboree by the teams from Purdy, Cassville and Hurley.
Southwest volleyball’s season opener will be an away game against the team from Gentry, Ark., on Friday, August 30. Their home opener will be against Marionville on Thursday, September 5.
Additionally, Southwest will participate in two away tournaments this season. On Saturday, September 7, the team will play against several other area schools at the Verona invitational. On Saturday, September 28, the team will travel to Galena to play in their tournament, the Lady Bear Classic.
On Saturday, October 5, Southwest will host their own volleyball tournament, the 36th annual Southwest Volleyfest.
For any questions regarding the Southwest volleyball team or for additional game information, contact Southwest High School at (417) 826-5413 or go online to https://www.mshsaa.org/MySchool/Schedule.aspx?s=455&alg=57.
