The Mehlville Panthers volleyball program enters the 2025 season with a new identity to forge.
After finishing 12–16 in 2024, the Panthers graduated five seniors and are now looking to reload with a youthful roster full of potential. Head coach Tom O’Toole says the focus this year will be on growth and development
“It’s been a little rough,” O’Toole admitted. “We graduated five seniors, but we have young talent coming in. We’ve also had a couple of tough injuries, mainly to Irelynn Stover (Sr., setter, three-year varsity player) and Victoria Shon (So., defensive specialist), who both played key roles for us last season.”
Still, there are positives. Tryouts brought 63 athletes, one of the best turnouts in recent memory at Mehlville, creating both energy and competition. With no staff turnover, O’Toole says the coaching staff is “one year smarter” and ready to build on last year’s experiences.
Senior Addie Mask (Libero) returns as a defensive anchor and leader after a strong 2024 season in the back row. As the only returning senior starter, she will be leaned on for leadership.
“This year we will look to Addie for leadership and hope for other young leaders to emerge,” O’Toole said.
Alongside Mask is sophomore outside hitter Maggie Bailey, who earned varsity experience last year and is expected to take a big step forward. The Panthers will rely heavily on her and other underclassmen this season, with at least six freshmen and sophomores expected to fill roster spots.
With such a young group, O’Toole says this season will be about improvement.
“We are extremely young and need to focus on getting better as a unit,” he said. “If we win games, great, but the main thing is going to be to work hard and end the season in a better place than we started.”
Success won’t be measured in wins and losses, but in steady progress.
“Our biggest strength heading into the season is ball control and hustle,” O’Toole said. “What we lack in size, hopefully, we make up for with effort.”
With Mask providing senior stability, Bailey emerging as a go-to attacker, and a wave of underclassmen gaining varsity experience, the Panthers may take their lumps early but are poised to build a foundation for the future.