With three returning players and a new coach, the Montgomery County volleyball team will look to get back on the winning track this fall.

Juniors Khloe Kribbs and Megan Pierson and sophomore Mieka Ray-Wise are back from last year’s team that finished 4-20-1 in 2024. They will lead a team that has two seniors, six juniors, eight sophomores and 11 freshmen.

Carli Bleyle takes over head coaching duties, replacing Rachel Leu. A 2016 MCHS graduate, Bleyle worked as assistant coach for the last three years before being promoted this year. Karlie Holligan will be Bleyle’s assistant.

The Wildcats begin their season on Aug. 30 at the Tolton Catholic Tournament. They will play a road match against Hermann on Sept. 2 and start their home season against North Callaway two days later.

MCHS will look to replace a strong senior class that included Ava Rakers, Avery Leu and Alexis Ramo. All three players were named on the all-district team in 2024.

Last year, the Wildcats finished with their first 20-loss season since 2012. They defeated North Callaway, Wright City, Bowling Green and Centralia – all at home – for their only victories in 2024.

Also a year ago, Kribbs, Pierson, Powell and the Ray-Wise sisters played at the varsity level for the first time.

Kribbs finished with 70 kills with 12 blocks and Pierson recorded a team-high 106 service points and 187 digs. Ray-Wise got plenty of playing time as a freshman last year, competing in 68 games and finishing with 167 digs and 55 kills.

Bleyle has high expectations for Pierson, who was named to the all-camp team at the Licking Volleyball Camp in Rolla in June.

“She played outside last year, but she’s willing to step up and be my libero for me this year and be my big communicator on the court,” Bleyle said in June. “She’s awesome in helping some of my younger girls remember where they need to be. She realizes that I need her in the back row more than I need her in the front row. She’s really stepping up to be a leader for me with these girls.”

Kylie Powell and Ruby Cox are the only seniors on the team.

Powell was the only junior on the varsity team last year. Bleyle said Powell has a strong work ethic.

“She is giving me everything she has,” the coach said. “The girls love being around her. She played only two years of high school ball. She missed out because she was homeschooled and she was in Warrenton or somewhere. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to play in her sophomore or her freshman years, I don’t believe. So for her to be playing only last year and this year, she’s awesome. She’s our energy on the court.”

Other players on the squad include juniors Dakota Marion, Sarah Waters, Addison Brower and Reaghan Hemeyer and sophomores Keira Ray-Wise, Emma Cobb, Brenna Gregory, Kiera Ray-Wise, Dakota Shipley, Addie Schroer and Abbigail Tucker. They all played with the junior varsity team last year.