By Chris Parker
Mountain Grove volleyball has a new head coach in Bobbi Jo Bayer this season. Bayer has extensive coaching and playing experience at the club, college and high school levels. Most recently she was at Summersville as the head coach.
She admired the Mountain Grove program from afar as head coach at Summersville last season.
“When coaching volleyball at Summersville I recall seeing Coach Kell and the Lady Panthers at a triangular that I took my team to watch,” Bayer said. “From that moment on, I knew that was the type of program I was going to make or wanted to be a part of. I knew that they were losing some key players, but the potential is young and fierce, so when the opportunity presented itself, I pounced.”
She is looking forward to putting her stamp on the program.
“I believe that I strive in developing complete athletes, on and off the court, by building a foundation of discipline and intentional growth,” Bayer said. “I coach to empower athletes, leading them to lead themselves and others with confidence and integrity. I genuinely love the game of volleyball and helping players pursue progress and not perfection. Every rep, practice, and match is a chance to level up mentally, emotionally and physically.”
Mountain Grove must replace not only the program’s, but the state’s, most prolific hitter ever in Raylee Stenzel. She put down 939 kills as a senior, which was the most in the state’s history by 205 according to the MSHSAA website. She single-handedly accounted for 72.6% of Mountain Grove’s total kills last season.
“This team lost a very (key) player last year and three impactful seniors as well,” Bayer said. “So, learning to play without their stability will be our greatest challenge this preseason, but I believe we possess the ability to do so.”
Expect Sophee Peterson to see an expanded role as an outside hitter. She was a second-team all-conference honoree who had 90 total kills last season.
“Sophee caught my eye this summer outside of volleyball when we were doing summer workouts. Immediately after meeting the girls and seeing them workout the first day I knew that she was going to be a huge asset strictly because of her work ethic. She’s a great kid and a force to be reckoned with,” Bayer said. “As a strong returner, I am expecting her to consistently demonstrate her elite work ethic in practice, training and games. Her ceiling is high so I would like to see her keep pushing it higher.”
Fellow junior Aubrie Gerla earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior. She had 932 assists last season.
“As an experienced returning setter, she has already built rapport with teammates, so I consider that a huge positive in our favor this year. Being seasoned she has a great understanding of game flow and can make real-time decisions. She may have a few more responsibilities this year in her role but I think she will manage just fine,” Bayer said. “Aubrie’s greatest asset as a volleyball player is her composure, and ability to lead by example. She has shown some great decision making, and brings a great on-court quarterback energy.”
Sadie Schober returns for her junior season after playing in 92 sets as a sophomore.
“Sadie Schober will be an impactful 11th grader in the upcoming season,” Bayer said. “She holds key experience in serve-receive and back-row in prior years. As she continues to show her capability as a statistical leader and emotional anchor, she is likely to increase her responsibility on the court.”
Kylie Roth and Addy Watson are a pair of seniors who will bring experience and court awareness.
Rowen Kelly and Hadley Driskill are both incoming juniors who will hold roles.
The sophomore and freshman classes could also provide varsity contributors.
“There are also some very eye-catching sophomores who are eagerly challenging players daily to fight for positions and that’s been extremely fun to watch,” Bayer said. “We are also deep with hungry freshmen as well, so we will have to see how the summer shakes out as to who earns court time.”
Kaylee Virtue, Hannah Dowden, Elley Criner, Aubrey Owens, Kylie Halsted, Braylee Shannon and Lyla Golden are among the players who could see varsity time.
Bayer likes the work ethic she has seen from the players so far.
“Hustle and work ethic is going to be our biggest strengths this year,” Bayer said. “We have a great group of kids who consistently show up to get better every single day. We won’t be outhustled this year with the amount of fight in this group of kids.”
Mountain Grove opens the season on Sept. 2 at Conway.
“My overall expectations for the team this year is to give 100% effort, every day, every rep,” Bayer said. “We don’t take plays off. Every practice, drill, and game is an opportunity to get better. Maximum effort is the standard; the rest will fall into place.”
