Building the foundations

The 2020 volleyball season was a year of growth for the Sumner-Eddyville-Miller volleyball team. This year the Mustangs had to replace all but one starter heading into the season.

“Coming into this season our only returning starter was our setter, who had been a starter the last two years,” S-E-M Head Coach Tammy Keaton said. “For a group who didn’t have much experience playing together, I am happy how they came along.”

It was a tough start to the season, as S-E-M was matched up against Overton and Amherst several different times who both made the state tournament in their respective class. There were definitely some hurdles this group had to get over, but as the season continued their play picked up.

“At the beginning of the

season, serving was somewhat of an issue for us,” Keaton said. “As the season progressed we did a better job. I also think our hitting, in general, was better as the season went on.”

One of the good things that came out of this season, was the fact that the Mustangs defeated their rivals Ansley-Litchfield two times in three matches on the season. They

also advanced to the D2-8 Subdistrict Final by defeating Loomis, who they had lost to earlier in the season.

Despite falling in the final of the Subdistrict to D2 No. 9 Bertrand, S-E-M pushed the Vikings and were competitive.

When asked what her favorite memory from this year’s team was, Keaton stated it was the game vs Elm Creek. At the time,

the Buffaloes were rated in Class C2.

They ended up losing the first set in the match but rallied to win the next two. The team according to Keaton really had everything clicking.

“We really played like a team that night and did everything we were supposed to do,” Keaton said. “They really hung together and played inspired volleyball.”

The team will be without Aubree Claflin and Mikah O’Neill heading into next season but returns everybody else. Next year’s team will definitely have more experience, but they will need to come together and play as a team.

“I think one of the biggest things for next season is getting the team to play together and help these girls recognize their part of a team,” Keaton said.

Tiffany Trampe The 2020 S-E-M Volleyhball team pictured above from Front Row left are Aubree Claflin, Ellie Guthard, Mackenzie Alspaugh, and Tessa Atkins; Second Row: Adilyn McFarland, Abbie Rohde, Merry Day, Emily Garrelts, Audrey Reiter, and Mattison Beattie; Thrid Row: Jenna Claflin, Cayleigh Jackson, Danielle Claflin, Faith Hernandez, Mikah O’Neill, and Tessa Nichols; Fourth Row: Managers Kenra Frerichs, Katelynn Reiter, Allie Rohde, Jordan Jackson, and Rachel Lambert; Fifth Row: Asst. Misty Freeman and Head Coach Tammy Keaton.