Marble Falls volleyball gets a jump on season preparations

CAPTION: Tessie Bowen (left) and Hannah Welch are all smiles after the Lady Mustangs win a point during the Llano May League. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

When Zoey Hanrahan-Beard accepted the position of Marble Falls High School volleyball head coach, one of her first tasks was to meet and study the Lady Mustangs.

Beard accepted the job in early May and has been around the players as they competed at the Llano May League.

Now that Forge ’25, the athletic department’s summer strength-and-conditioning program, began last week, Beard has been on campus to watch, help and encourage.

Once the players wrap up their Forge sessions, they head to the gym for sport-specific skill work where Beard is able to get more time with them.

As many as 20 players are in attendance, many of whom haven’t played on the varsity level yet.

She noted some athletes have been at camps and are playing select ball, which she has taken as positive signs.

And the coach is tackling her to-do list, which includes finding setters to run her 6-2 offense.

“I always want to have three options at hitter in the front,” Beard said.

The setter, who is called the team’s “quarterback,” has qualities that Beard said are important to the squad.

“In a computer, they are the chip that makes it all work,” she said.

They include “being a good team player” and the ability to match up hitters to blockers. That means setters must show an ability to quickly analyze what the defense is doing so the Lady Mustangs can end the rally and earn the point.

“They have to make good split decisions that benefit the team,” she said. “They have to be dedicated setters. I’m going to give them the option to show me what they got. You have to know the ins and outs and pay attention to what is happening across the court.”

And though the setters must be able to process information fast, Beard said it’s no all on the shoulders of two players to do that. She wants a talkative group of Lady Mustangs on the floor.

“Serve-receive is critical,” Beard said. “One of the things I noticed is that we as a team don’t talk much. We always have to be communicating. Passers need to be telling them where they have the opening. In Division I (collegiate volleyball), those girls are constantly communicating. You can tell their team dynamics.”

To help, coaches are splitting up the defensive specialists from the hitters. That way each group has more time to work on what they do best.

“We’re not going over the playbook just yet,” Beard said. “(They’re) doing the fundamentals all summer long. I need you to know where those feet are going to go. I know it can get tedious and boring. And it feels just as important to get it done right then and there.”

Beard strongly encourages athletes to attend Forge ’25 where the athletes are continuing their offseason training into the summer months. That training will pay off during two-a-days, which begin Aug. 1, and the season officially opens Aug. 11.

“I did like what I saw in spring league,” she said. “All the elements of good volleyball are there. Volleyball is our first sport on deck in the fall and coming in with a new coach. I need them to come. I want them to have an idea of what our practices look like.”

The first volleyball camp for elementary and middle school students is June 16-18 and costs $95. Those in grades third through fifth attend from 9-11 a.m. and those in grades sixth through eighth attend from 1-3 p.m.

The high school camp is July 14-16 and costs $95.

Email her at zh*******@********ed.net to more information.

CAPTION: Payton Dunk is a returning letterman for the Lady Mustangs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro