OUTLOOK

Experience and strong leadership are two of the reasons that Wagoner volleyball coach Jayce Stimson feels that the Bulldogs will be a more competitive team when they take the court for the 2025 season. “We will have strong leadership not only from our returning seniors but even the juniors and some of the sophomores are showing good leadership skills. We’re physically and mentally stronger and more experienced. We did lose one senior to graduation in middle blocker Naniyah Harris who was a very good player at the net so we’ll be working to fill that spot but overall, we have a pretty good nucleus back,” said Stimson. Wagoner will return four seniors, three of them starters to the floor this year led by outside hitter Abri Nanni. “Abri is a pretty big part of Wagoner volleyball. She was our top server and second in hitting percentage and in defensive stats last year. She’s not only a really good athlete on the court but also a really good person,” said Stimson. Seniors Dawci Butler, another outside hitter and setter Rosy O’Callaghan along with her sister Gabby, are also returning. “All of these girls are strong players and they’re also very good at reading and reacting defensively as well and have set good examples by putting in the work during the off season. I think we’re a much closer group this year, even us coaches, having overcome some of the obstacles that hindered us last year.” Other returning players for the Bulldogs are juniors Averi Mackey at middle blocker and Eden Lewis who is an outside hitter. Sophomore Kaylonie Harris will move up from junior varsity this year as will junior defensive specialist Ally Warner. “We’re also excited to get junior Evie Spangler, a transfer from Okay who can play outside or middle blocker, and Taleah Alexander, who moved away last year and is coming back this year, as our libero,” said Stimson. “Overall, I have a really good group of girls with a whole lot of talent, and I think that if they learn to rely on each other and not let little things get to them, they’ll be a solid group. I think they’ve learned to trust in me and each other and believe that they will be better this year.”