High school volleyball preview capsules

Advance Hornets

Head Coach: Erin Hoffman, 1st year

Assistant Coach: Dana Below

Last season's record: 19-13-2

Postseason result: Lost to Bernie 19-25, 21-25 in the Class 1 District 2 title game

Conference: Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA)

Team strengths: As a new coach in the program, they are working really hard to learn the new ways.

Team goals: Work together as more of a team and improve fundamentals

Summer preparation strategies: We did the shootouts and had open gyms. We also had conditioning involving quickness, body control and plyometrics. We had a college coach come in and do a camp with us.

Describe your team in three words: Determined, well-balanced, dedicated

Bell City Cubs

Head Coach: Beth Williams, 1st year

Last season's record: 4-21-2

Postseason result: Lost to Advance 20-25, 20-25 in a Class 1 District 2 semifinal

Conference: Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA)

Central Tigers

Last season's record: 8-23

Postseason result: Lost to Hillsboro 11-25, 18-25 in a Class 4 District 1 quarterfinal

Conference: SEMO

Jackson Indians

Head Coach: Tracy Robinson, 2nd year

Assistant Coach: Rachel Glisson

Last season's record: 15-15-2

Postseason result: Lost to Poplar Bluff 19-25, 17-25 in a Class 4 District 1 semifinal

Conference: SEMO

Team strengths: Adaptability, defensive leadership, effective communication

Team goals: Communicate on a consistent basis, push the tempo with the offense, win the SEMO Conference, win districts

Summer preparation strategies: Licking volleyball camp in Arnold, Rib City Shootout in Dexter, Perryville Shootout, Carbondale (Ill.) Tournament, SIU team camp and played as often as we could to gain more court experience and develop the team concept

Describe your team in three words: Driven, dedicated, unified

Leopold Wildcats

Head Coach: Sandy Davis, 12th year

Assistant Coach: Whittney Lukefahr

Last season's record: 24-4-3

Postseason result: Lost to St. Vincent 25-23, 25-27, 25-27 in the Class 1 District 3 title game

Conference: Mississippi Valley

Team strengths: They are determined and willing to work

Team goals: Continuous improvement with every practice and games

Summer preparation strategies: Conditioning and open gyms

Describe your team in three words: Determined, hardworking, dedicated

Meadow Heights Panthers

Head Coach: Kami Green, 1st year

Assistant Coach: Jessica Conrad

Last season's record: 16-15

Postseason result: Lost to Leopold 15-25, 10-25 in a Class 1 District 3 semifinal

Conference: Mississippi Valley

Team strengths: The team is enthusiastic

Team goals: Always be aggressive and run a faster offense

Summer preparation strategies: We attended the Rib City Shootout at Dexter along with a camp with Murray State University's assistant coach and weekly workouts

Describe your team in three words: Hardworking, lots of heart, determined

Notre Dame Bulldogs

Head Coach: Tara Stroup, 14th year

Assistant Coaches: Emily Thomas and Meridith Brinkmeyer

Last season's record: 23-8-1

Postseason result: Lost to Perryville 12-25, 19-25 in a Class 3 District 1 semifinal

Conference: SEMO

Team strengths: Experience. We are returning all starters but one. Strong offense

Team goals: Win districts and improve each game

Summer preparation strategies: We had camps with Murray State University's coach and participated in many shootouts

Describe your team in three words: Experience, effort, athleticism

Oak Ridge Blue Jays

Head Coach: Whitney McFall

Last season's record: 6-15-3

Postseason result: Lost to Greenville 25-16, 19-25, 20-25 in a Class 1 District 3 quarterfinal

Conference: Mississippi Valley

Oran Eagles

Head Coach: Monica Collier

Assistant Coach: Erika Hutchcraft

Last season's record: 6-19

Postseason result: Lost to Bernie 17-25, 18-25 in a Class 1 District 2 semifinal

Conference: SEMO

Team strengths: Athleticism, natural ability, determination

Team goals: To have a winning season and build upon teamwork

Summer preparation strategies: We had open gyms and participated in the summer league at the Osage Community Centre

Describe your team in three words: Determined, family, hardworking

Perryville Pirates

Head Coach: Dave Mirly

Last season's record: 25-9-1

Postseason result: Lost to Dexter 25-21, 19-25, 23-25 in the Class 3 District 1 title game

Conference: Jefferson County Activities Association (JCAA)

Saxony Lutheran Crusaders

Head Coach: Julie Brandmeyer, 2nd year

Assistant Coach: Megan Oldson

Last season's record: 16-15-5

Postseason result: Lost to Bloomfield 20-25, 25-23, 13-25 in the Class 2 District 2 title game

Conference: Freelance

Team strengths: Executing offense while out of system, doing the little things well, serving

Team goals: To be in the Class 2 district championship match again

Summer preparation strategies: We competed on Monday nights in the summer league at Mineral Area College where we finished with a record of 28-14 and we also traveled to Branson to compete in a Licking camp where we had a record of 14-4

Describe your team in three words: Little things well

Scott City Rams

Head Coach: Christy Riley, 1st year

Assistant Coach: Whitney Nicoson

Last season's record: 6-22

Postseason result: Lost to Puxico 10-25, 15-25 in a Class 2 District 2 quarterfinal

Conference: SEMO

Team strengths: Good team chemistry, we are consistent, we work hard on passing and are constantly improving. Most of the athletes are able to play several different positions, we have leadership and we have some very strong hitters who play smart ball

Team goals: To become a highly competitive team that is best in the state, to challenge each athlete to strive for her own unique greatness by/through developing (a combination of skills, personality and perseverance. This year our program is really focusing on our team dynamics. The girls have a positive attitudes and are working great together to make our team successful.

Summer preparation strategies: We played in the Perryville Shootout as well as the summer league at the Osage Community Centre where we won first place. We had Columbia College's assistant coach Aleah Hayes come to Scott City with two of her players (former Scott City High School standout sisters Brooke and Mikah Simpson) and put on an amazing two-day camp. We also had lots of open gyms.

Describe your team in three words: Unified, hardworking, committed

St. Vincent Indians

Head Coach: Cindy Cissell, 2nd year

Assistant Coach: Sara Hennemann

Last season's record: 25-13-3

Postseason result: Lost to Winona 25-22, 13-25, 20-25 in the Class 1 state title game

Conference: Jefferson County Activities Association (SCAA)

Woodland Cardinals

Head Coach: Kacie Patton, 5th year

Assistant Coach: Melissa Rinacke

Last season's record: 15-14-1

Postseason result: Lost to Saxony Lutheran 24-26, 18-25 in a Class 2 District 2 semifinal

Conference: Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA)

Team strengths: We should be strong with a lot of height. We are young but have a lot of players with club ball experience in the offseason. We have a great group of seniors who have had three or more years of varsity experience. I've brought up a total of six sophomores to our varsity squad, which makes a huge impact in our overall team's dynamics.

Team goals: We want to have a winning record and be in all of the championship games this year. I know the team's main goal is to be district champions again.

Summer preparation strategies: We went to the Perryville Shootout where we ended up 5-3 for the day. We then went to the Licking camp at Lake of the Ozarks and went 14-5 in sets while winning our entire playoff bracket.

Describe your team in three words: Enthusiastic, determined and focused

Zalma Bulldogs

Head Coach: Dwyght Ford, 3rd year

Assistant Coach: Jessie Smith

Last season's record: 4-21-3

Postseason result: Lost to Meadow Heights 12-25, 18-25 in a Class 1 District 3 quarterfinal

Conference: Mississippi Valley

Team strengths: We have no seniors and a good team spirit

Team goals: Win more games than last season and keep improving throughout the season

Summer preparation strategies: We played in the summer league at the Osage Community Centre and had a lot of open gyms and conditioning

Describe your team in three words: Determined, fun, hardworking

-- From staff reports