Following a 10-20 finish last season, the West Prairie High School volleyball team aims to turn things around in 2025.
Long-time assistant Drew Snyder is in his 17th year involved with the program. But this year will be his first as the high school head coach.
“The girls are very eager. They’re very hungry this year,” said Snyder. “We’re really enjoying our time together.”
“We’re really hammering hard at our culture and the values that we have as a program,” he added. “We’re working really hard at positively aspiring to be one team and really hustling and working hard defensively, believing that it’s possible to get anything at this point.”
“It’s an all-in mentality,” Snyder continued. “That’s what we’re really working on. They’re really responding really well to it and there’s a lot of really good energy in here.”
He noted that the aim is to build a program in grades 7-12 that focuses on continuity, culture and expectations.
As for the 2025 Cyclones, a number of starters return.
Senior setter Madelynn Sullivan (433 set assists, 160 digs, 50 kills, 27 service aces) is a four-year varsity starter, who Snyder noted has a “ton of energy, and is highly competitive.”
Sophomore Niah Zimmerman (78 kills, 166 digs) was a starter as a freshman last season, while classmates Madison Adams (33 kills, 18 total blocks) and Jaycee Reynoso (73 kills, 23 total blocks) were also spot starters a year ago.
Senior Alexa Barkley (60 kills) is back for her third year, after missing much of her freshman season due to a broken leg.
“I think this is going to be her breakout year,” said Snyder. “I think she’s going to do really well.”
Meanwhile, freshman Alyvia Barkley, Alexa’s younger sister, looks to step in as outside hitter and is a six rotation player.
As for other seniors, Kenadie Webster returns after missing last season with a torn ACL.
Abby Starbuck (169 digs, 25 service aces) is vying for the libero spot “She loves the game and is a hard worker,” said Snyder of Starbuck.
Macy Branch is another returning senior, while Melodee Ford, who moved into the district last year, is a firstyear player for the Cyclones.
Snyder noted that the seniors were the first class he had as head coach at the junior high level.
“It’s really nice to see their growth in the program,” he said. “They are positive leaders and good role models for the younger players to follow.”
Snyder noted that the team does not have a ton of size, so it will have to be good at serving, passing and defense.
“They’ve really taken the bull by the horns and embraced a no holds barred, all-in, all-out defensive mentality,” said Snyder. “I think we’re going to show a lot of improvement digging, serving and passing.”
“We don’t have the big thumpers, but we’ve got well-rounded, good offensive players at each position that can get kills,” said Snyder.
Tougher serving is another priority for the squad. He wants to make the serve more of an offensive weapon.
“There are some teams in the area that really challenge us in that way,” said Snyder. “That’s given us a little bit of trouble in the past.”
“The serve, pass and defense need to be our bread and butter,” he added. “And we need to be good at serve-receive so we can execute offense.”
As for the schedule, West Prairie will no longer play at Jacksonville’s tournament. The Cyclones will head to Riverton for tournament action and will join the field for this year’s Lady Suns Classic in Augusta.
“We’re looking forward to that,” said Snyder of playing in the Lady Suns Classic against a number of local teams. “I think it will be a good test for us early to see where we’re at.”
Last year, in three tournaments, West Prairie managed just a record of 2-11.
“One of the biggest problems that we had last year was that we performed really poorly in tournaments,” said Snyder.
He is aiming for better tournament results in an effort to achieve season goals.
“We’ve set a goal this year of reaching 20 wins and I’m very confident that if we play well we’re going to be able to do that,” said Snyder. “We’re going to have to win close to half of our tournament games in order to make that happen.”
If West Prairie is to achieve those goals, Snyder said the seniors need to lead the way.
“I really want to see the seniors step up and be good leaders and role models for the kids,” he said. “Be positive influences in the gym.”
That includes having positive energy in the gym, showing them what it takes to win at a high level.
In addition, Snyder is looking toward the future. With only two juniors on the squad, he hopes the sophomores start stepping into leadership roles in preparing for 2026 and beyond.
