High school volleyball: Kennett’s Carter, Gardner receive high accolades

The Kennett High School volleyball team was filled with primarily sophomores and a smattering of freshmen.

Two sophomores featured prominently for the Indians in Tayja Carter and Ella Gardner during the 2023 campaign, and both of them received plenty of praise when postseason awards were presented.

Class 3 District 1 honors were released a week ago; meanwhile, SEMO Conference accolades were voted on this past Tuesday.

Bella Wilson bumps the ball forward during a Class 3 District 1 playoff match versus Fredericktown at the Bearcat Events Center from mid-October. (File photo by Josh Ayers, Dexter Statesman)

“Tayja’s power at the net is always something to celebrate,” said Kennett head coach Kristy Green, who returned to the bench this season after several years away.

Carter pounded down 95 kills and recorded one kill in every three chances, showing the ability to put away the ball effectively.

She also posted 82 ace blocks, scooped 117 digs and served up 16 aces, proving she was not a one-trick pony.

Kennett libero Baylee Wilcut (grey jersey) delivers a back-row attack during a regular-season match. (File photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Gardner stepped in as the Indians’ primary setter after teammate Lilli Wilson suffered an unspecified injury.

“We finished the season with Ella running the offense,” Green said. “This put her in a position to take a stronger leadership role, and I felt like she handled that well. “

Gardner forced the tempo on many Kennett attacks as the Indians went exclusively to a 5-1 offense.

Kennett's Kynsly McCaig (1) sends a free ball over the net during a regular-season match. (File photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Bella Wilson, Olivia Raspberry and Baylee Wilcut were all named to the SEMO Conference second team. Carter, Bella Wilson and Wilcut all received honorable mentions in Class 3 District 1.

Bella Wilson was a strong all-around player with 253 digs, 53 ace blocks, the latter which was second on the team, plus a noted presence next to the net.

She also was one of the Indians’ most accurate servers (0.972).

Kennett freshman Olivia Raspberry (25) focuses while serving during a regular-season match versus Saxony Lutheran. (File photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“She had the highest serving percentage on the team,” Green noted. “We knew she could be counted on to work hard and keep our opponents out of system (at the net).”

A sophomore, Wilcut served as Kennett’s libero — a role she relished. Baylee finished the 2023 season with 862 digs, which is simply a staggering number.

“She moves well, hustles and reads the ball well,” Green said. “Without the job she does, we don’t have the opportunities to run our offense and score.”

Raspberry proved her worth when she was finally fully healthy to play. An outside hitter, Olivia had 68 kills (.313), 41 ace blocks, 271 digs and served at 0.941.

Green moved her from middle hitter, which is what she played for Kennett Middle School.

“She finished second in kills behind Tayja, second in aces and third in blocks,” the coach commented. “I saw growth in her skills and her mindset.”

Lilli Wilson and Kynsly McCaig both received honorable mentions during all-conference voting.

Wilson was on her way to a spectacular season, with 449 assists, 166 digs and 12 ace blocks before that injury. She missed the final 10 matches.

“It really was heartbreaking not having her out there on the court in practice and competing alongside her teammates,” Green said. “Lilli has a strong work ethic and is a high-character player that made a difference on the team.”

McCaig compiled 538 digs and she served a team-high 27 aces. During the season, she was moved from defensive specialist role to a six-rotation player.

“Having her on the floor covering, talking, hustling and anticipating the play was a necessary move for us,” Green said of McCaig.

While falling short of the 13 wins the team earned during the 2022 season, the Indians finished with a 10-14-4 mark.

On Oct. 9, Kennett showed a glimpse of future success by taking a game from powerful Saxony Lutheran in a home match. However, 10 days later, Fredericktown eliminated the Indians in the opening round of the Class 3 District 1 tournament.

Kennett recorded notable wins over Sikeston, New Madrid County Central twice and Malden from the Bootheel Conference.

Scott City’s Cindy Henry was chosen as the conference’s coach of the year, guiding the Rams to a 19-12-3 record, and straight-set victory over Portageville during the Class 2 sectional round on Oct. 26.

They lost to Arcadia Valley in the Class 2 state quarterfinals Oct. 28.