The Class 5 final four.
The Tigers and head coach Adeana Chrestman capped a record-setting, 38-4 season with a runner-up finish.
“What truly defined our season was the way our team fully bought into our mission—playing in honor of a teammate, staying committed and embracing the standard we set for Ozark Volleyball,” Chrestman said. “Our goal was to make the final four in 2024, and we felt like we were able to consistently compete like a final four team throughout the season.”
Entering her 13th season at the helm, Chrestman’s first task will be finding replacements for a talented class of graduates that included all-state honorees Reece Cook and Skylar Hilton.
Fortunately for Ozark, a third all-state honoree remains on the roster in senior Tara Venable.
Venable, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, led the team with 523 kills and a .336 attacking percentage as a junior. She also received All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and is committed to Missouri State University’s beach volleyball program.
“Tara is a six-rotation player meaning that she does not come off the court,” Chrestman said. “That means she has to be good at attacking, blocking, defense, serving and passing. It is rare to have a six-rotation player that plays at such a high level in each rotation that Tara does. She hits hard and high and has a variety of shots in her toolbox as well. Playing and training in the sand during beach volleyball season has also helped propel her indoor game to new heights. She is a force to be reckoned with and is so fun to watch.”
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