The Warrenton girls volleyball team is entering the fall season with strong momentum after an impressive showing at Licking Camp in Branson on July 28-30. 

The Warriors placed second in the large division of the tournament with a 9-5 record. Head coach Kayla Nelson said the trip was proven to be beneficial in numerous ways.

“I’ve been telling the girls all summer that we have all the pieces to the puzzle and if we put them in the proper place, we can be really good at all levels,” Nelson said. “They’re starting to buy into that and it makes them want to work harder.” 

While she noted several technical strengths, such as the serve receive, Nelson said the team’s unity stood out the most. 

“All the girls connect well. Even some of them are coming onto the floor for the first time with some of these people and trying to find out where they fit in, but it’s working for them – the connection is great,” Nelson said. 

The connection was invaluable in one particular game, when the Warriors came back from a five-point deficit.

“The girls had just played two days of full volleyball and it was our second game that day, so they were exhausted, but it was great to see them pulling through,” Nelson said. 

Nelson also specified the championship game against Eminence High School as another example of the team’s grit. Warrenton lost to Eminence 25-23, 25-23.

“We lost both sets by two points, but there was a time where we were down by six or seven points and just the resilience and the drive and the want these girls had brought us back,” she said. 

The camp also gave the Warriors exposure to teams from Arkansas, Illinois and across Missouri that they don’t typically face in-season. Adjusting to faster tempos and styles pushed the team to adapt and grow. 

“I think it’s good for the girls to see different stuff like that,” Nelson said. 

The team did several activities outside of the court, such as visiting Silver Dollar City and the Dolly Parton Stampede Show and racing down the Mountain Coaster.

“On the last day, I asked the team what their favorite part of the trip was and all of them said something where they were all hanging out, so that was really cool to hear,” she said. 

Warrenton sophomore Emma Eskew was named to the all-tournament team, which had 19 members, including Most Valuable Player Lauren Dorey, a sophomore from Jackson.

“She’s so helpful out there on the floor,” Nelson said. “She directs and is that leader and I think that really makes them better and able to play well.” 

The Warriors entered the first week of practice with renewed energy and a vocal purpose. 

“Our motto is attitude, communication and effort and we preach this every day,” Nelson said. “I feel like all the girls have really bought into it and they see this does affect us and we get to choose how it affects us.”