After finishing last season with a 13-17-1 record, South’s girls varsity volleyball team is determined to turn things around and secure a winning record this year, according to senior captain Grace Fu.
“We’ve put in the work during the offseason, and we’re ready to show just how much we’ve improved,” Fu said. “This year, we’re aiming higher than ever.”
Senior defensive specialist Cooper Hook complimented outside hitter Maddy Ahearn on having a strong start to the season.
“She’s always on top of it and giving her all, no matter what,” Hook said.
This is the first year Hook is playing for South. She recently transferred from Westminster Christian Academy, where she played on their varsity team, a team that won the 2022 Class 4 State Championship.
Head coach Shannon Lesko noted the collective effort of seniors Fu, Charlotte Murray, Hook, Kennedy Cotton, and Ava McCulla as the backbone of the team’s leadership, and can really be a game-changer this year.
“They always work hard and do the right thing,” Lesko said.
McCulla is making her return to the team this season after a two-year break to focus on basketball. However, she felt compelled to come back for her senior year.
“I missed the thrill of the game and the way we fight together on the court when we’re in sync,” McCulla said.
Lesko also said one secret to the Patriots’ success this year could be their experience.
“Our team is made up of only juniors and seniors, which is a first in a long time,” said Lesko. “Having this experience and maturity has been crucial, as our players understand how to treat each other.”
Another standout quality is their chemistry and unique mindset, a factor that Fu believes sets them apart from the competition.
“The team’s chemistry on and off the court is amazing–honestly, the best it’s been in all four years I’ve played,” she said.
The team’s bond extends beyond the court with team-building activities, according to Fu.
“Our team likes to visualize before games. This year, we made vision boards and decorated our locker room so we can visualize and get hyped before games,” she said.
As the season is now in full swing, the team has its sights set on several key matchups. Hook expressed her excitement about the upcoming game against West on Oct. 7, a team that handed the Patriots a tough loss last season.
More recently, the team traveled to Cape Girardeau for an out-of-town tournament, where they won 5 out of 6 games, advancing to the quarterfinals of the prestigious Gold Bracket–the highest level of competition.
“It was a great opportunity to gain experience,” McCulla said. “We played really well, and Kennedy [Cotton] was exceptional, racking up aces and standing out with impressive serves.”
Serving, in particular, is an area where the Patriots expect to surprise their opponents. According to Fu, the girls are serving up to 40 mph.
“We even got a radar gun to measure the speed of our serves, and they’ve gotten absolutely killer,” she said.
When it comes to individual goals, the players are setting their sights high. Hook and Fu are both on the verge of reaching the coveted 1,000-dig milestone in their high school careers. Hook is currently at 837 digs, while Fu is closing in on 800, with her 1,000th dig expected to come on Senior Night against North on Oct. 17.
But reaching these milestones is not an easy task. This year, Lesko has emphasized discipline and accountability as key priorities for the team. The focus on precise ball placement and stronger on-court communication has led to significant offensive improvements throughout the beginning of the season, which showed in their 3-0 win against Hazelwood West on Sept. 10.
“We’ve gotten much craftier and more intentional with our offense and I believe we can really control the game in that aspect,” said Lesko.
