The Wright City girls volleyball team showed flashes of brilliance during the 2025 season. And, with just one senior lost from that team, the Wildcats – under the direction of new coach Gabby Vogt – are seeking more than just flashes.
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The Wright City girls volleyball team showed flashes of brilliance during the 2025 season.
And, with just one senior lost from that team, the Wildcats – under the direction of new coach Gabby Vogt – are seeking more than just flashes.
The team is aiming for lasting success this season.
Senior libero Marli Burkhardt (who recorded 448 digs last season) said that, while an encore to the program’s Eastern Missouri Conference championship – the first of its kind since 1982 – was impressive, everyone wants more.
“We’re trying to recoup what we had last season,” Burkhardt said. “We have six seniors this year and a new coach. There are exciting opportunities and we’re trying to take advantage of those. I think we just want to keep showing improvement. Winning conference was a big thing for us. We’re just trying to keep that momentum going.”
Burkhardt will be one of six seniors who will look to guide the team, which finished 15-10-2.
Joining her for their final seasons of high school volleyball will be Hailey Billham (21 blocks last season), Jo Grueneberg, Tiana Sims, Jaiden Walch (96 kills) and Olivia Wilson.
“I think it is important to recognize the impact our seniors have already had on the volleyball program this year,” Vogt said. “They have made such a positive impact on the team, and I am eager to see how their leadership continues to grow throughout the season.”
Deeper than the seniors, though, Sims said there is a great deal of continuity on the entire roster.
“We have almost the same team as we did last year, except for one senior,” Sims said. “I think that means we can accomplish a lot. I think our hustle will be our strength. I think that everyone on the floor isn’t going to give up on any points.”
In addition to the “senior six,” Vogt added that junior setter Emerson Wendt (28 aces, 154 assists) and junior defensive specialist Brooke Henson should also be impact players.
The coach said the team is full of players who have stepped into leadership roles based on what the team and program need at any given time.
“Our team has multiple leaders who bring different strengths, and I think that is one of our biggest strengths,” Vogt said. “We have more vocal leaders as well as players who lead more quietly through their actions. Having a variety of leadership styles allows our other players to see that leadership can look different and does not always have to come from the loudest person in the room.”
With so much leadership coursing through the locker room, it would be easy to see why expectations are high for the Wildcats as the team starts the season at Winfield on August 31.
Be that as it may, Walch said there won’t be a hard and fast number that anyone will put on the win-loss record as a barometer of success.
“We don’t put a number on things,” Walch said. “We want to go out and keep getting better. If we can do that, then we will (be happy with results).”
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