High school volleyball: Kennett’s Orf set for recognition at state tournament

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Kennett resident and volleyball official Gaylon Orf will be recognized for his years of service to the sport.

The ceremony will take place just before the Class 1 state championship match at 4 p.m. Saturday during the Missouri State High School Activities Association state tournament in The Show Me Center.

“In volleyball, I get to be out on the court and part of the game,” Orf said. “It’s fun to do. I’ve always enjoyed being a sports official. It’s been a positive experience.”

Orf will receive a 25-year certificate and MSHSAA will officially honor him at such time.

“He exemplifies patience, knowledge and calm,” said his wife, Julie, on a Facebook post.

In a typical postseason match, there are four officials on the court. The first is called the up official, or Referee No. 1. There’s also the down official (Referee No. 2) and a pair of linespersons.

The up official has the final say on all calls made and attends to the alignment of the serving side.

The down official works next to the scorer’s table, handles net violations and the alignment of the team receiving the serve.

Two linespersons make the call of in or out, looking at factors such as spin, speed and location of the ball.

Most recently, Orf served as an official at the Class 1 District 1 tournament at South Pemiscot High School in Steele.

A native of Bakersfield near West Plains, Bakersfield High School didn’t have volleyball while he was a student there.

It was during his time at Missouri State University that Orf became a fan of the sport.

“Many of my classmates were on the volleyball team, and I went to several games,” Orf said. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Missouri State, and later a master’s from Arkansas State in education administration.

“Volleyball is a very active sport,” Orf noted. “There’s lots of play and intensity, and a great physical and recreational activity.”

During his life in education, Orf has worn several teaching caps in the Senath-Hornersville school district. He also has taught at KIPP in Blytheville, Ark., and for three years in Renick, a K-8 district near Moberly north of Columbia.

In Kennett, Orf is a member of the Rotary Club.

In addition to volleyball, Orf serves as an official in both basketball and softball, the latter the sport his youngest daughter, Olivia, plays at Lyon College in Batesville, Ark.

Gaylon and Julie Orf have four children in total: Gretchen and Luke, who both still live in Kennett, and Greg (who currently resides in New England).