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.
Sports
September 1, 2008
Joplin opens volleyball season tonight
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
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- Former equipment manager sues Rams
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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