Getting better is what the 2024 season is all about for Mehlville volleyball.

“Our aim is to get to a .500 record and hope to be better during Districts,” Mehlville head coach Tom O’Toole said. 

With four seniors and a pair of experienced juniors returning, those goals could be attainable for a program that finished 6-19 a year ago.

 Audrey Bailey (senior OH/DS), Irelynn Stover(junior setter), Addy Mask(junior libero), Ava Sherman (senior OH), Ari Lilton (senior MB), Abby Stewart (senior RS/MB) will all return for Mehlville.

Bailey led the team last season with 134 kills and 44 aces, while Sherman was not far behind with 110 kills and 23 aces. The Panthers senior also accounted for 20 blocks. Lilton led the team with 30 blocks last season.  

Freshman Maggie Bailey (OH/RS) will also be looked to as a contributor at the varsity level this season. 

O’Toole said his squad has gotten to know the coaching staff early on during practice and in turn, has gained a better understanding of the staff’s coaching philosophy. The girls’ have shown the coaching staff their willingness to compete.

“We have a better understanding of the players and they have a better understanding of what we are trying to accomplish,” he said.

For example, the coaching staff has already learned that two of the team’s strengths will be leadership and ball control.

Mehlville’s schedule does not do them any favors. The team was set to open up at home against Parkway North on Aug. 23, and then faces seven straight road contests against Oakville, Notre Dame, Kirkwood and Lindbergh.

With a brutal opening schedule, O’Toole knows his team will have to stay focused on the goals laid out for them during early season practices.

“We will take small steps to strengthen the program,” he said. “We improved last year versus our 2022 record. We need to continue to get better every day and peak at the end of the season.”