Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Varsity Volleyball Team may have some of the most talented volleyball athletes in Southeast Missouri.  Last year’s record will be hard to beat considering they had such a successful season finishing 26 – 5.

The Lady ‘Cats return all but two of their starters this season.  They went undefeated in the Stoddard County Athletic Association conference and won the tournament.

"We’ve got the numbers and height and pretty much we’ve just got to put it all together and go out and be competitive,” commented Carmen Morgan, head volleyball coach.

Leading the Bearcats are Jessica Lindsey and Shyann Jines who are veteran seniors this year and have the most experience along with juniors Brittany Brown, Julia Hahn, Ashlyn Werneck, Kendall Adams, and Matney Davis.  “We lost two key players to graduation in May, but we also have a lot of athletes back,” continued Morgan.

“I tell my kids two things.  We are going to compete and I want effort.  Those are two things that drive us all the time in practice and in games.”

“I came in with Shyann Jines and Jessica Lindsey as sophomores so we’ve been together for three years now,” stated Morgan.  “I definitely think hitting should be one of our strengths because these two middle hitters are strong.  They are also strong blockers and passers.  These two girls are very talented and work hard!”

“Julia Hahn, a junior, has been playing with us since she was a freshman,” continued Morgan.  “She’s really been working on her defense and setting this year.  She can also hit!” 

“Brittany Brown is stepping in as libero,” stated Morgan.  “Her sister (Ashley Brown) is the one who graduated and I know she will do a good job for us.”

Sophomore Janie Lindsey and freshmen Lexi Barnes, Addie Kruse, Hannah Thurmon, and Kristen Garrison also bring a lot of talent to the group. 

“We’ve got a 5’10 freshman that jumps well,” speaking of newcomer Kristen Garrison.  “She moved in and she’s a player.  She brings a whole new element to us because not only does she hit, but she can also set.”

“We have a good group of freshmen coming in,” according to Morgan.  “They have had success at the junior high level and I expect them to have success at the high school level because they play a lot of off-season ball and they’ve got good skills.  Coach Hahn has done a great job with those girls at the junior high level.”

Dexter opens their season on Monday, August 25^th when they host Farmington at the Bearcat Event Center.  “We tried to get our schedule a little tougher.  We’ve added Farmington and they are always tough.  We’ll have lots to work on when it’s over, but we are going to get out there and give it our best shot against them.”

The Lady ‘Cats will compete in Class 3, District 1 against Perryville, Notre Dame, Kennett, Doniphan, and Fredericktown during play-offs.  “We’ve also added Perryville in the regular season.  Some years we see Perryville in every tournament and some years we don’t see them at all until the district.  This year the week before the district we play Perryville and Notre Dame, which are always two tough ones in district competition.”

Coach Morgan has a new assistant volleyball coach this season.  Kacey Christian is new to the Dexter area coming from Fox Schools near St. Louis.

“I’m really excited,” commented Christian.  “I think they will have a great season.”

Pictured at the top is the Dexter varsity volleyball team:  Front row sitting from left to right are:  Ashlyn Werneck, Julia Hahn, Jessica Lindsey, Shyann Jines, Kendall Adams, and Addie Kruse.

Standing from left to right are: Brittany Brown, Lexi Barnes, Janie Lindsey, Hannah Thurmon, Kristen Garrison, and Matney Davis.

Pictured above is the Dexter JV Lady ‘Cats volleyball team.  Sitting from left to right are Megan Trout, Maddison McConnell, Ashlynn Wyman, Emily Page, Addie Kruse, and Lexi Barnes.  Standing from left to right are Rylan Hillis, Morgan Aldridge, Bailee Williams, Hannah Thurmon, Janie Lindsey, Lauren Rascher, and Maci Daniels.

JV games begin at 6:00 p.m. with Varsity following when held at home at the Bearcat Event Center.

2014 Dexter Volleyball Schedule