By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Coach Sandy Shelley believes Joplin High School will field an improved team in volleyball this season.

The Eagles start finding out tonight as Carl Junction visits for a nonconference tripleheader in Kaminsky Gymnasium. The freshman match opens the program at 5 p.m.

“First, we have more varsity experience,” Shelley said Monday night after the Joplin practice. “Plus, we have some good young players on the roster.

“We have depth, some quickness, height and passing strength,” Shelley said. “I believe we’ll be improved compared to last season.”

Shelley, assisted again by Staci Saunders and Amber Travis, greeted three fulltime starters in seniors Jessica Hill and Alli Worley and junior Kalley Jewsbury.

The 5-foot-10 Hill, who’s starting for the third year, earned all-Ozark Conference honors last season. Jewsbury and Worley are setters.

Shelley said there are three more seniors with starting experience — outside hitters Emily Fuller and Jordyn Nolan and defensive specialist Callie Munson.

There are two more seniors on the varsity in Ashley Garrison and Emma Hays.

“Hays is a defensive specialist,” Shelley said. “We’re confident Garrison can help us either as a defensive specialist or in a utility role.”

Also on the team are junior middle hitter Emilee Dailey, junior outside hitter Chelsea Hardy, sophomore outside hitter Jessie McMullen and junior libero Taylor Sharp.

Dailey and Nolan, both 5-11, join Hill in providing height for the Eagles.

Shelley said that nine players will be in the starting rotation for the Eagles. They are Hill, Jewsbury, Worley, Fuller, Munson, Nolan, Dailey, McMullen and Sharp.