Big Hitters

Bradye Peniston Valley Center Coach Gayle Stucky: "She's a senior, who has kind of been on the back-burner through her junior year. She was always a role player. Now, she has a more important role. She can go outside, inside and in the middle. All around, she has really improved her game. She always comes around when we need a play and is someone who can get the job done for us." Bradye Peniston: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Our setter, Jordan Mullin. She can get the ball anywhere on the court and places it just right. She's also really good at listening. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: She has a big heart. And she helps anyone, on or off the court. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which do you see yourself being in life? A: A setter, because I like to be the one who is encouraging and I like to make things happen for other people. Olivia Oliphant Kapaun Mt. Carmel Coach Terri Hessman: "As a senior, she's a solid player for us. She's going to get to the ball and have a strong hit. She's a good all around player. She's a good server; a good passer; a good hitter. She's strong on the court all the way around." Olivia Oliphant: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Rebekah Webber. She's always really positive. She's a good leader. I've learned things from her and we get along great. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: She has a great personality. And I like how she pushes us to work hard. She knows we have potential and wants us use it all. She doesn't give up on us. That's good. It's good to push people. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which do you see yourself being in life? A: I probably, in life, consider myself a hitter. I'm more aggressive. I'm really aggressive with everything. I am also part libero, because I am mildly crazy. Lindsay Vannaman Newton Coach Jamie Kessler: "Lindsay tore her ACL (early this year). But before it happened she was having a great year. She's a great player who wants to play in college and should still get that opportunity, despite the injury. Even with the injury, she serves in practice and sits on the sideline and talks with me. Even hurt, she adds something to our team." Lindsay Vannaman: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Raeanne Yoder. She's very vocal. She keeps the team pumped up. She brings a lot of energy and life to our team, and really picks us up when we need a lift. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: She is very confident. She has lots of confidence that we can do well. And she has a lot of experience, so she knows when we are doing things wrong and knows how to tell us to correct them. And she teaches us how to make those corrections in a way that is helpful and makes us a better team. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which you see yourself being in life? A: A Hitter. I have an aggressive personality and I like to be in the middle of the action of things. Sadie Clark Wichita North Coach Andrea Scheideman: "Her role is being a leader as an outside hitter. She's strong and dominant. She makes her presence known on the front row. As a leader, the girls look up to her. We joke around and call her 'The Well,' because when we need a big kill she is one of our go-to hitters." Sadie Clark: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Monica McGeehee. She works hard no matter what. She went through a position switch and she did good with it. She helps the team any way she can. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: She works hard and does the best she can, and she teaches us to be the same. She is always going to push us. Sometimes we go away from practice mad at her, but it is only because she pushed us so hard. We understand. We respect her, and that's a good trait. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which you see yourself being in life? A: A hitter. I just want to go after everything and have fun. Lindsey Keller Goddard Coach David Gardner: "Lindsey is our tallest girl, which makes her important. And it means we look for her to own the net in the front row. She's very good at putting the ball down. She's not a vocal leader, but she works hard and leads by example." Lindsey Keller: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Alysia Hart. She picks up the team. She is kind of like the glue of the team who keeps us together and gets us all going. She is our team leader. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: He's smart. He knows what he is talking about. His experience really helps out the team. He's kind of a new coach, and he can be tough - but he treats us respectfully. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which you see yourself being in life? A: A hitter. That's what I am on the court and I would rather be attacking. Joanna McFarland Derby Coach Shelby Kraus: "She is a power hitter and a power blocker. She has great energy is a great motivator. When she was off the court, the energy on the court would drop. Energy is pretty important in volleyball, so keeping Jo out on the court is important to this team." Joanna McFarland: Q: Pick one teammate and tell what she brings to the team. A: Sammie Shook. We play opposite each other. She is an all-around player and has a constant presence. She also keeps all our spirits up. Q: What are two traits exhibited by your coach you hope to imitate? A: She has a passion for everything. She is also very knowledgeable. She tries very hard to help people. Q: A hitter, setter or libero - which you see yourself being in life? A: A hitter. I think it represents my personality. I try to go after things.