The Warrenton girls volleyball team has never been closer – and that tight-knit bond could be their greatest asset this season. 

“Everybody has this bond across all levels,” Warrenton coach Kayla Nelson said. “My seniors get along with my freshmen and make them feel wanted here. They can all talk to each other.” And that team bond has translated into an evident determination on the court. 

“I’ve really noticed the drive that everyone has and we kind of lacked that in the last couple of years,” senior Lila Bartley said. 

“Everybody really wants to be here,” senior Zoe Duncan added. 

The Warriors hope the unity will help them get back to their winning ways. They were 11-19-1 last fall. 

Warrenton returns to the court after graduating six key seniors. Despite the loss, they bring back experienced returners and promising newcomers – and another set of six seniors.  

Bartley credits the team's strong connection for their earnest attitude. 

“It’s such a positive environment. You cannot play with this team without smiling or laughing. Even when we’re down in a game, you can always depend on everyone else to get back up,” she said. “We work well together when we know we have to.” 

This summer, most of the players trained individually until they reunited for the Licking Camp in late July in Branson. Warrenton placed second in the tournament.

“Now that we’re going into games, we just want to knock off the dust and hone in on things and be a threat to other teams,” Nelson said. 

With six seniors, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman on the varsity squad, Nelson said her team exemplifies their team culture ACE, which stands for attitude, communication and effort. 

“My seniors do a really good job of bringing (ACE) to the floor all the time and everyone else is really buying into it,” Nelson said. 

Both Bartley and Duncan acknowledged the benefit of their team motto. 

“It makes a big difference with the team – everyone does it and it doesn’t go in one ear and out the other,” Duncan said. 

“It gives us something to focus on besides volleyball during practice and it helps us think about the mental part of it,” Bartley added. 

Nelson said the team often chooses a focus from one of the ACE pillars at the beginning of practice and then they reflect on how well they embodied it by the end. 

“I think it’s really effective especially since communication is such a big part of the game and your attitude and energy is everything and with effort, it’s a hard game, and you have to work hard,” Nelson said. 

Some newcomers include senior Kalynn Henke and freshman Maya Bayes. Nelson describes Henke as a strong passer and Bayes as a vocal bundle of joy.

“She’s a freshman and she knows what to do and she wants to win,” Bartley said of Bayes. 

Nelson added her team has been doing really well with spot serving. 

“It’s really showing that we’ve been working hard on this and we’ll continue to work on those things, but it’s already looking really good,” she said. 

Warrenton will begin its season at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 with a road match against Fort Zumwalt East. 

“I’m very excited about this season,” Nelson said. “I think we look great already.”