Volleyball: Green returns, Kennett hopes are on upswing

Youth will abundantly be served this year for the Kennett High School volleyball squad.

That’s because the Indians roster features no seniors.

Regardless of that fact, Kennett head coach Kristy Green is optimistic the team will have a successful season.

“We have flexibility,” Green said. “We have players with the ability to play multiple positions.”

Kennett opens the season next Monday and Tuesday with home matches against Oran and Campbell, respectively. Junior varsity will begin at 5 p.m., followed by varsity.

The Indians are coming off a 13-20-4 season under previous head coach Gentry Vancil, which included a playoff exit versus Cape Notre Dame in three sets (25-16, 25-16, 25-10).

There are two areas of concern and development for Kennett.

“With a young group, we’re working on our service receive and being able to finish on offense,” Green said.

Still, Green said the Indians were proficient in running an uptempo offense, as demonstrated during summer league.

The Indians will run a 6-2 offense this season, with sophomores Ella Gardner and Lilli Wilson both serving as setters.

There also will be two liberos this season, depending on how Green adjusts the starting lineup. Those players are sophomores Kynsly McCaig and Baylee Wilcut.

Lilli Wilson also will spend time as an outside hitter along with Tayja Carter and Bella Wilson. All three of these players will also see time as middle hitters, so there’s that keyword flexibility again.

Junior Sadie Overbey will be another outside hitter, providing depth at the spot.

The squad also features two promising newcomers in middle hitter/outside hitter Olivia Raspberry and setter Kate Leeker.

The Indians must makeup for three key losses to graduation in setter Sophie Boone, middle hitter Elle Vancil and outside hitter Lani Heeb.

Kennett has enjoyed modest success in volleyball, which includes one SEMO Conference championship in 2012 and one state championship appearance in the 2000s.

The most dramatic storyline this year is, perhaps, the return of Green as head coach.

“I’m emotional about it,” said Green, who also directs the middle school program alongside Erin Franklin. “Volleyball is a huge passion of mine. This court is my home, and it’s good to be home.”

Green, who played multiple positions at South Pemiscot, served as head coach at Kennett from 2007-2016. Since then, the head coaching role has been spun like a revolving door.

The hope is for Green to bring stability back to the program, which has 18 players out this season.

Schedule highlights for Kennett this season are the SEMO Dig For Life Tournament on Sept. 8-9, the Jonesboro (Ark.) Tournament on Sept. 23 and the conference tournament on Sept. 28.

Aaron New serves as the high school assistant coach.