Lady Eagles volleyball: different look, same grit

The Liberty Lady Eagles Volleyball team will enter the 2024-2025 season with a different look. The small team, in height and number, is determined to stand out amongst the area teams with their grit.

 

“I am so very excited about this group,” began Head Coach Shari Tune, who is entering her 13th year of coaching at Liberty. “I expect everyone on the floor to make an impact. When we understand that we cannot be good without our team being good, our possibilities are unlimited.”

 

The Lady Eagles come off a stellar 2023-2024 season with a 18-12-3 record, district champs and SCA champs. The team lost several seniors which leaves Head Coach Shari Tune looking for leadership on the court. “I am looking for team captains, girls that we know are our go-to players, the hype girls, the ones that keep everybody levelheaded under pressure,” said Coach Tune. “My senior trio is a very talented group. I expect them to lead and demand followers, but I also expect them to uplift the younger girls and keep them disciplined as well.”

 

The senior trio is comprised of Korie Lind, Bryleigh Wallace and Kaylie Wagner. All three athletes have years of experience and numerous accolades. Lind and Wallace will most likely play key roles in hitting positions while Wagner takes up her third year as Libero for the Lady Eagles.

 

When discussing rosters for varsity and JV, Coach Tune was not quite ready to put pen to paper. “I have not yet specifically divided varsity with JV. We have so much potential in our veterans and our youth.”

The junior class boasts a lot of talent as well. Jade Acklin, Kelbi Smith and Kinsey Shoup are the ones to watch for varsity action this season. Sophomores to watch will be Delanie Ellett and Jaylie Tharp. Tharp is no stranger to varsity action as she stepped in multiple times during rotation last season as a DS and setter. Ellett is pushing to make an impact as a heavy hitter as well. Rounding out the group, all eyes will be on freshmen Brinley Duckett and Jordyn Tune.

 

This year, the Lady Eagles welcomed back Kenzie Daniels to the Assistant Coach position. Daniels, a 2023 Liberty graduate, currently works as the seventh grade Social Studies teacher. “I feel like coming back to Liberty volleyball was important to me,” Daniels stated. “Tut, along with many others, poured into me and made me the player I was. I think it’s important that I do the same for the girls now.”

 

The Lady Eagle’s first three games will be at home against West Plains on Sept. 5, Strafford on Sept. 10 and then Eminence on Sept. 12. The remainder of the season is a grueling one for this small and gritty team as they face Fair Grove on Sept. 16, Mountain Grove on Sept. 17 and Winona on Sept. 19 for the first three away games of the season.