PREP VOLLEYBALL TEAMS HOLD HIGH HOPES FOR SEASON

As a first-year coach, months after concluding an acclaimed volleyball playing career at Southeast Missouri State University, Leanne Huffman steered her Leopold volleyball team to a Class 1A state championship last season.

Lady Wildcats followers believe the trophy would look much better with a mate. "People are already asking, `Are we going to go back to state this year?' " Huffman said with a laugh.

Leopold and other area high school teams embark on championship drives Tuesday, when the season begins. Here's an alphabetical preview:

Advance

New coach Margie Kolat, a former assistant volleyball coach at Arkansas State University, said her Lady Hornets have positive attitudes and have improved considerably during three weeks of practice.

Seniors Ashley Hitt and Amanda Bond and juniors Sheila Stubenrauch and Amber Bond will be the team's top players.

Those battling for starting positions and playing time are senior Erin Jenkins, juniors Kristin DeJournett, Heidi Delay, Christina Harris and Jennifer Phelps and sophomore Emily Johnson.

Bell City

The Lady Cubs lost four starters from last season's 33-2-1 Class 1A district champion team but return senior outside hitter Courtney Brockmeyer, a three-time all-state selection. The other returning starter is junior Jessica Shelby.

Three-time all-state pick Leslie Lee, a setter, graduated. Senior Tara Phillips and junior Kelli Steiner are competing for that spot, and their performance will be important, coach Carl Ritter said.

"I feel like our season can be very successful if our setters come on," he said. "I've got some smaller girls that are going to have to pick up the slack because we're not real big outside of Brockmeyer and Shelby. We're going to have to depend a lot more on defense this year."

A number of girls should see floor time, among them freshman Katie Spears, seniors Lala Stone, Jessica Abernathy and Brooke Phillips, juniors Sara Pobst, Meghan Dover and Vanessa Long and sophomore Brooke Stephens.

Cape Central

The Lady Tigers' record was just 2-16-3 last season but coach April Morgan is confident the program will begin a turnaround. Her team won its pool this summer in a high school league.

"I think that was really good for them winning and doing well this summer because it gave them some confidence," Morgan said. "And they need that.

"Last season we improved so much from the first of the season to the last of the season. We're looking forward to having the best record that we've had since we've been together."

Central has its entire team back. Seniors Jessica Balogh and Jessica Sims will be the team's leaders, and juniors Katie Cozby and Ashley McElreath also will start.

Those vying for playing time are seniors Andrea Berge, Kim Suzuki and Heather Duschell and juniors Andrea Birk, Amber Birk and Sarah Brown.

"I think we're going to be a real scrappy team. We're going to rely a lot on defense," Morgan said.

Chaffee

The Lady Red Devils went 6-11 last year but all eight players return.

Coach Paulette Crouthers said the team's hitting has improved. Kate Nolen, a 5-10 senior, and Jill Little, a junior, will provide power. Senior Jennifer Siebert, an all-conference selection last season, will help out.

Other starters are seniors Emily Siebert and Dusti Garner and junior Angela Holland. Reserves are juniors Amy Burnett and Bridgett Rains.

Jackson

The Lady Indians return three key players from last season's team, which went 18-8-4 but lost to Poplar Bluff in the championship match of the Class 4A district tournament.

Chrissi Glastetter, a 5-10 middle hitter, is a four-year starter. Senior setter Heather Brown and 5-9 sophomore hitter Andrea Koepper also are back.

Seniors Kara Thoma, Sara Nothdurft, Sara Johnson and Diane Mirley will see time in the starting set. Juniors Casey Randol, Marci Myracle, Emily Unverferth and Melinda Burnett will be reserves.

Coach Nancy Ellis said her team's front line will be its strong point. Play on defense will determine whether the team matches last season's success, she said.

Leopold

The Lady Wildcats, who went 28-4-2 last year, lost a big chunk of their Class 1A state champion team in graduated senior Alicia Halter, a first-team all-state pick. But enough talent is back to make second-year coach Huffman hopeful.

"We're going to have a good team but you never know what will happen at the end of the season," she said.

Sarah Gowen, a junior who was a first-team all-state setter last year, leads the returners. Senior Hannah Jansen was an all-conference selection, and starters Jennifer VanGennip and Gwen Vandeven, both seniors, also are back.

"Last year a lot depended on Alicia," Huffman said. "This year I have lots of good hitters. I have a well rounded team." Completing the squad are juniors Emily Broshuis, Jennifer Elfrink, Kelly Wesbecher, Megan Keith and Amy Stroder and senior Beth Nenninger.

Marquand

The Lady Tigers, who went 5-12 last season, have back all-conference pick Hannah Lakies, a 6-3 junior. Sophomore Heather Hansman has improved and will start with seniors Amy Brotherton and Natalie Kunz.

Senior Gret Kunz, sophomores Lindsey Reimler and Katie Mills and junior Sonja Afshar will vie for floor time.

Marquand lost four starters to graduation and probably will assume a rebuilding mode, coach Adam Hector said.

Meadow Heights

Erin Hoffman, who coached at Advance a year ago, said the Lady Panthers' seniors should be strong. She is upbeat about the team, which went 17-5 last season.

The seniors are Rachael Yount, Emily Sewell, Desiree Yamnitz, Kristi Hah and Brandi Bollinger.

Juniors Mariah Bollinger and Tia Abernathy should help out, Hoffman said.

Notre Dame

The Lady Bulldogs return four starters from last season's 22-7-2 Class 2A district champion team. Seniors Erin Vickery, Sara Westrich and Kelly Canfield and junior Bonnie Essner will be among the starters who will christen Notre Dame's new gymnasium.

"With four returning starters and lots of good experience, we think that the girls ought to be able to accomplish anything that they want to accomplish this year," said coach Janet Buchheit, who added that the team's focus has been improving its offense.

Those vying for the final two starting slots are senior Shannel Buelteman and juniors Amy Essner, Michelle Hency, Rachael Beussink, Jill Edwards and Carrie Halter.

Oak Ridge

New coach Pam Kutz said she hopes to utilize the Lady Blue Jays' front-line power.

Seniors Jan McLane and Macaela Morgan and sophomore Deanna Schreiner will provide the punch. Other starters are juniors Kim Cowan and Kristie Reid and sophomore Allison Miles.

Reserves are seniors Ashley Clingingsmith and Samantha Sharp.

Oran

Coach Adrian Eftink said he hopes his Lady Eagles' height and his seniors' leadership will help them improve on last season's 3-16-2 record.

Seniors Rebecca Lange, Melissa Loper and Crissy Roberts and juniors Sara Heisserer, Kelly Wheeler and Mistie Senciboy will start.

Juniors Jill Pobst, Sara Bouge, Jenny Barron and Jennifer Long will be reserves.

Perryville

The Lady Pirates went 17-10-3 and reached the state quarterfinals last year but lost their top three hitters. Two graduated, and senior Amy Verseman will miss the season with a knee injury.

The two returning starters are seniors Jeni Blevins and Jaimee Mueller. New starters are seniors Shannon Dreyer and Kristen Taylor, junior Nicole Blechle and sophomore Jamie Amberger. Reserves are senior Mandy Kirn, juniors Jennifer Triller and Amber Stakes and sophomore Natalie Bohnert.

Coach Tim Steffens, who said this season likely will be used for rebuilding, said his team this year will be smaller but quicker.

St. Vincent

The Squaws, 6-14-3 a year ago, lost seven seniors, including five starters, to graduation. But coach Stacie Bauwens said team practices have been productive and the players get along well and have a good work ethic.

The lone returning starter is junior Jessica Lakenan, a second-team all-district hitter. Others starters are senior Kaci Kutz and juniors Amie Leible, Sara Cissell, Valerie Klaus and Casey Kirn.

Reserves are seniors Stephanie Schremp, Tiffany Moll and juniors Alexis Kreifels, Madeline Clements, Meredith Fallert and Cari Strattman.

Scott City

Barbara Ice is the Lady Rams' new coach. She will look to seniors Alaina Smith and Megan Noon to improve the struggling progam.

Other seniors are Amber Dannenmueller, Jane Lett, Tara Phillips, Liz Schumaker and Kayleen Schweiss.

Juniors are Whitney Baer, Becca Edmondson and Heather Gresham. Sophomores who will see varsity time are Lindsay Baker and Pam Page.

Woodland

Although the Lady Cardinals slumped last year, going 9-15-2, coach Tammy Brock is optimistic after her team beat Leopold in the championship match of a summer league.

Woodland, which returns all six starters, has nine players with varsity experience. Starters are seniors B.J. Cameron, Dianna Lukefahr and Toni Cowell and juniors Sarah Booth, Julia Cutsinger and Lilo Whitener. Booth was a first-team all-district selection and Lukefahr made the second team.

Reserves include seniors Desirae Bollinger, Melanie Childers and Rebecca Fox and junior Sandy Moody.

Zalma

The Lady Bulldogs, who went 14-12 last year, lost four starters to graduation, but two key starters return.

Carlye Burchett, a senior setter, was an all-conference selection last season. Outside hitter Vickie Pixley, a 5-6 senior, made the all-district team. The new starters are junior Wendy Howard and sophomores Amber Buehler, Erika Campbell and Carrie Pixley.

Zalma's junior varsity team was 18-3 a year ago, and all six starters from that team will play on the varsity squad.