2025 Fall Preview: Miller Volleyball

By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Miller volleyball enjoyed another successful campaign in 2024.

The Cardinals finished with a 29-7-2 record, falling in the Class 2 quarterfinal round to eventual state champion Fair Grove.

Heading into her 22nd season at the helm, head coach Tamara Landers has plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Two of those reasons happen to be returning all-state honorees in Rachel Nunez and Ashlyn Helton.

Nunez, a senior middle blocker, recorded 366 kills, 509 digs, 53 blocks and a 99 percent serving rate.

Helton, a senior middle blocker, posted 520 kills, 57 blocks and 448 digs.

The duo are joined by classmates Camden Stockton and Loghann Leivan.

Stockton, an all-conference and all-district setter, recorded 1112 assists and 260 digs.

Leivan, an all-conference and all-district outside hitter, posted 231 kills and 405 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Layni Johnson, an all-district selection, also returns.

In addition, all five Miller returnees received academic all-state honors.

Landers also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time, including senior Mavrie Pritchett, junior Tori Hollister, freshman Madi Leivan, freshman Addi Hohenfeldt, freshman Maddi Estes, junior Chloe Hendricks, junior Faith West and junior Avery Forbis.

“Mavrie is not new to the varsity level,” Landers said of Pritchett. “She is returning to play after being off last year due to her battling Leukemia. We are excited to have her back in some capacity.”

Landers believes her team’s game knowledge, dedication and desire to be successful are all strengths heading into the season.

“With the group of seniors we have I feel if we can keep other teams guessing as to what we are going to do will help us make it to the next level,” Landers said. “These girls have all been around when we made trips to the final four three years in a row. Two of our current seniors, Camden Stockton and Ashlyn Harris have sisters on those teams.”

On offense, Miller will look to Stockton to control tempo and open up opportunities for Cardinal hitters.

“Camden has great hands and always stays calm and keeps her teammates calm and focused,” Landers said. “She always seems to know where to set the ball in order to get the kill. She is often able to take a bad pass and make something great out of it.

“I feel like we have a very balanced attack and will be able to come at opponents in different ways and keep them guessing. We have the ability to hit the ball very hard but we also have the versatility to find holes in the opponent’s defense.”

Miller opens its regular season Aug. 30 in the Monett tournament.