After earning a top-four finish in the Division I tournament of the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association (MCSAA) state volleyball tournament in Joplin one season ago, its second top finish in as many seasons of playing in the MCSAA’s highest division, the Liberty Christian volleyball team returns with high hopes for 2026.
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After earning a top-four finish in the Division I tournament of the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association (MCSAA) state volleyball tournament in Joplin one season ago, its second top finish in as many seasons of playing in the MCSAA’s highest division, the Liberty Christian volleyball team returns with high hopes for 2026.
The Eagles won 13 times and took third at the tournament and, according to Coach Dakota Ball, return four starters in the hopes of not only success in conference play in the MAC but also at state in the Division I tournament.
Among the four returning starters is 5-foot-9 outside hitter Marielle Moss.
Moss, who led the team with 161 kills, 117 aces and 137 digs, said that while she has led the team statistically, it’s going to take everyone for the Eagles to succeed.
“We're going to do good this year by communicating and just trusting each other throughout the game,” Moss said. “(That) and just relying on God throughout our season and just knowing that he has it in control.”
Ball said that, like it did last year, he feels the team will perform best when it rides the wave of momentum to success.
The coach said that when the Eagles seized control in a match last season, opponents struggled to wrestle it away from Liberty.
“These girls, I have no doubt they can compete with any team on our schedule,” Ball said. “Being able to strike first and keep that momentum throughout a match will be important for us. We found out last year that when we got down, it was harder for us to fight back. Just their ability to stay confident throughout the match and start strong and take it (the confidence) throughout (will be important). We’re just going to have to ride the moment at times.”
In addition to Moss, Ball pointed to Mallory Boenker as another key figure for the team this season. Other key returning players figure to be Emma Woodson, Kendra Pfitzinger, Bailey Minderman and Caroline Keller.
Ball added that while there is a very talented leadership group of just a few players, the program has gotten much deeper in recent years.
“There is a lot of young talent on the team,” Ball said. “We have record numbers as far as how many players we have, so we're looking to be able just to be a well-rounded team.”
Moss said that she, for one, is excited to head into play with the entire team by her side this season.
Sure, she’s going to have to lead, but she’ll have plenty of talent to back her up in 2026.
“(The) freshman and all of them, and everyone's just going to have to lift each other up throughout,” Moss said. “Whenever you get low, we're just going to have to know that we're going to have to build each other up and come back whenever we're in the down spot.”
Liberty will open the season on August 25th at Heritage Homeschool.
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