Tornado volleyball squad looking to continue success
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Volleyball: Front Row: Emma Pennock, Kennedie Clearlock, Sam Logue, Megham Dennis, Sophie Mizeur and Elle Richards. Back Row: Summer Brandis, Hannah Clayton, Abby Heberling, Mazie Fleming, Abbie Clayton, Addison Tarr and Xena Fisher.
TAYLORVILLE — Finishing with a 16-7 mark during the spring, head coach Kim Peabody is look- ing for more success this fall.
Peabody starts season number nine as the head coach. After five season as head coach at Edinburg, she made the jump to Taylorville.
“When the Taylorville varsity volleyball coaching position became available, it was an easy decision to apply for it since I was currently teaching in the district,” she said.
The coach said there were somethings she liked about the spring season and plenty not to like.
“What I liked about last season was that we had an opportunity to play a lot of teams we normally cannot fit on our schedule due to playing each of our conference teams twice combined with the number of tournaments we are in,” said Peabody. “What I disliked most about last season was that we played around five games a week, leaving little time for practicing. It was fun to be able to end the season on a win since we did not get a post-season. Although, I would have much rather have gotten the opportunity to play in a post-season. Fingers crossed, we get to get our entire regular season in and a post-season in this year.”
A shot at the play-offs will be entrusted to a group of four players returning from lest season.
“Hannah Clayton, a senior outside hitter, is a four- year varsity starter this year,” Peabody said. “Summer Brandis and Abby Heberling, 3 year varsity starters and Sam Logue, a junior and two-year starting libero. Hannah and Summer were first team all-conference players and Abby Heberling was a second team all-conference player.”
She expects to have lead- ership provided by two of those players.
“Hannah (Clayton), being a 6 rotation player and our kill leader from last season and Summe (Brandis)r who is our setter with most assists and aces from last season will be who will lead the way to another successful season,” according to the coach. “We played very well this summer and I am expecting to have a successful season this year. We have around 40 girls signed up to play high school volleyball, freshmen through seniors.”
Other contributors include Elle Richards.
“Elle Richards, a junior outside hitter is going to make a big impact for us,” Peabody said. “She is a very explosive hitter. We also are bringing in a talented freshman class who went undefeated in eighth grade. Mazie Flemming, 6-3 and 5-11 Addison Tarr will see some varsity time and give us some height at the net.”
The season will get underway today, when the Tornadoes welcome the Shelbyville Rams to town. This will be Senior Night for the team. Peabody and her team are looking forward to other matches this year.
“We are looking forward to playing Mahomet Seymour. They got us twice last season in conference play,” the coach said. “We lost to them in three close sets both times. The Mt. Pulaski Fall Festival is also a tournament we look forward to each season. It has a lot of top quality teams with great competition for us.”
