BERNIE BUILDS VOLLEYBALL DYNASTY

BERNIE -- During a three-year stretch in the mid-90s, Bernie's volleyball team was as dominating as any team in any sport this area has ever seen.

Over the three-year span between 1994 and 1997, Bernie was never beaten in the state of Missouri.

In 1994, Bernie got beat by the Class 4A state champs of Arkansas for its only loss.

In 1995, the Lady Mules went 38-0 and in 1996, they got beat by volleyball power St. Francis-Borgia in a tournament in Arkansas.

During those three years, Bernie won state championships. The Lady Mules won the state crown again in 1998, making the fourth championship under coach Bill Zoll.

Zoll started his varsity stint (He has coached junior high for 26 years) in 1991 and is still coaching at Bernie.

Since 1991, Zoll has racked up an unbelievable 218-48-2 record. Bernie had at least 31 wins from 1993-98.

"We've had good players and hard workers here," said Zoll. "Tradition helps a lot too. Once something like this gets started, it builds on itself. The little kids get enthused and want to do the same thing the older kids do.

"We have good crowds. Bernie has always been very supportive. I've seen more people at junior high volleyball games here, than other schools have at high school basketball games. We (the volleyball team) don't draw as many as the basketball team, but if it's a big game, we'll fill the gym."

A member of the Stoddard County Activities Association, Bernie's last losing season was in 1979. It has appeared in eight Final Fours and has won at least 20 games since 1987.

Anna Pumphrey started the winning tradition during her reign, coaching from 1971-86. Pumphrey led the team to a second-place finish at state in 1983.

Then, high school principal Don Lee stepped in as coach and led the Lady Mules to winning seasons from 1987-91. Lee guided Bernie to a third-place finish in 1990 and to the state quarterfinals in 1988.

Some of Bernie's toughest competition comes from its own back yard.

Three Bollinger County teams -- Woodland, Leopold and Zalma -- have nipped at the Lady Mules' heels and have won state championships of their own.

Leopold managed to beat Bernie in the 1993 Class 1A sectionals en route to a state championship.

"There were some very disappointed girls after that loss," Zoll said. "One girl went home and kicked a hole in her closet."

Leopold would be the last team to beat Bernie in Missouri until 1997.

One year, the Stoddard County Activities Association claimed two state champions -- Bernie (Class 1A) and Woodland (Class 2A).

"I think this area is one of the tougher areas in the state," Zoll said. "The Stoddard County Conference is always tough."

Zoll has coached three NCAA Division I players -- Susan Buttry (Arkansas State), Amy Johnson (Arkansas State), and Erin Holt (Southeast Missouri State).