Mexico volleyball continues its rebuild this year but is making sure the building blocks are strong.

The Lady Bulldogs are coming off another losing season of 8-15-1, which is an increase from the previous year, and are coming with at least 80 percent of underclassmen on the roster under new head coach RaShonda Willis.

Willis, who served as an assistant with Mexico last season, said the team graduated eight seniors and will have two seniors Mary Test and Lizzie Joiner this year. Despite the overwhelmingly younger group, Willis said she likes the potential the players have and has been focused on making them stronger in multiple ways.

“We’re in the weight room getting them stronger and working on their agility if we were to go to those five sets,” Willis said. “Making sure we actually get in the weight room at least once or twice a week, and then there’s the mental as well. We’re going to be breaking down film.”

Willis said teaching the how and why of certain aspects will be key as she has a group who is eager to play volleyball but one that could improve its skills. This shouldn’t be a problem as she and her assistants Madison Smith and Becky Schafer see these players as coachable.

A good example of great potential with some room for improvement is serving as Willis said Mexico has a few really good servers. Last year, Willis said the Lady Bulldogs focused a lot on the jump serve and will convey to her players to use a method that is beneficial to them and the team.

“I’m good with jump serving, but if they are more accurate serving on the ground, I will like them to serve on the ground and get the serve over,” Willis said. “We don’t want to give up as many points as we did last year, but serving right now is one of our strengths.”

Claire Isgrig and JacLynn Cline are each underclassmen but are also players with great serving skills. Isgrig’s serves are hard, accurate and difficult to receive, Willis said. Cline played some varsity last year so the expectations for her are great.

Some other key returning players along with Cline, according to Willis, are Joiner as she slots into the primary setter position after being a backup to the graduated Ally Wilson a year ago. Test is someone Willis hopes is effective in the middle, and Emily Moppin was typically Mexico’s second-best attacker in terms of kills behind the graduated Jessica Stephens.

Willis said the Lady Bulldogs can do better on defense with not just reaching the ball but anticipating where it will be.

“We’re working on reaching the ball because I feel like that’s one of our weaknesses,” Willis said. “On offense, we can read the ball and know where to place it. But, on defense, we need to make sure we are following the ball. That’s how we win games. If we know what the offense is doing while we’re on defense, we’ll be able to get to and place the ball on the opposite side to win points.”

Mexico should have fun while it builds its program, Willis said, and the main goal of an improved record should be within reach.

“I want them to have a lot of fun, talking is a big thing because we lacked that last year, and hustling and getting active on the court (are important),” Willis said. 

Mexico starts its season at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at North Central Missouri Conference rival Fulton.