By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
There isn’t much the current seniors on the East Newton High School volleyball team haven’t accomplished.
They can savor 94 wins. They can cherish three titles in a row — outright or shared — in the Big 8 Conference.
But today those Patriots, coming off their first district championship, can scale another mountain.
It’s the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 3 playoffs.
East Newton (27-3-1) challenges Rogersville (24-6-3) at 4:30 p.m. at Marshfield.
Republic (22-10-2) and Boonville (20-7-2) clash in the 3 p.m. opener.
The quarterfinal is scheduled for 6 and the winner advances to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City for the semifinals next week.
East Newton coach Todd Dana said Friday that Rogersville has won three district titles in a row.
“Everybody that’s left in the playoffs is a quality team,” Dana said. “That includes us.
“I don’t want to underestimate our intensity ... our will for success,” Dana said. “The seniors have demanded a lot from our younger players.
“Perhaps (Ashley) Mason (a senior) is in a class by herself with her focus as well as ability,” Dana said. “This group, overall, is very intelligent as well as intense.
“I’m proud and eager to see what we can accomplish,” Dana said.
Probable starters for East Newton include senior libero Katie Topel and senior setter Kolina Hill. Middle hitters are sisters Katy (6-foot-1 junior) and Sha (5-8 freshman) Cooper. Outside hitters are Mason and junior Lindsey Bragg. Kara Harris, another junior, is a defensive specialist.
Weakside hitter Micah Lemaster, a senior, replaces Harris in the rotation.
Dana said the Patriots are blessed with experience. They graduated just three players from a 25-4-1 edition. There are four returning fulltime starters.
Dana, who’s in his seventh year as head coach, is assisted by Sonya Brown (formerly Spencer and a former East Newton volleyball player).
Dana, who guided East Newton to a district crown in 2001, said the 1998 edition, coached by Bev Goff, won the Class 2 championship.
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