Republic volleyball enters the 2024 season with a different look, as coach Allison Davis begins her seventh year rebuilding around a young roster. The Lady Tigers return just two seniors: Bria Claxton and Hailey Fuentes. Claxton, a four-year program member, brings experience as both a setter and defensive specialist after serving as a consistent defender last season. Fuentes will compete for time as a setter and right-side hitter as the season unfolds.
Davis restructured the summer program to emphasize fundamental development over competition, recognizing the need to build skills from the ground up with such a young roster.
“This summer I organized our preseason workouts a little bit different,” Davis said. “Because I knew that we were losing a little bit more, and then we have so much youth, we really spent June on skill development.”
The team’s attacking focal point remains junior Reese Finley, who recorded 304 kills in 2024. Finley combines explosive jumping ability with high volleyball IQ, making her a versatile threat who exemplifies the complete skill set Davis wants to develop throughout the roster.
“It’s not just how hard she can hit the ball because that’s obvious,” Davis said. “It’s everything else that she puts into it — in the weight room, in the offseason, she’s getting training, her volleyball IQ, her leadership.”
Fellow junior Kate Mitchell returns as a reliable middle hitter after using the summer to build both physical strength and confidence. Her development represents the kind of skill progression Davis emphasizes across all positions. Junior Addyson Warner, primarily a JV player last season, should see expanded back-row responsibilities as she applies newly refined defensive skills.
The sophomore class embodies the program’s commitment to skill development. Rylee Vent started at middle blocker as a freshman and spent the offseason building the strength and confidence needed for a bigger role. Andie Wistrom’s versatility will earn her playing time, even if that role is undefined before the season. Chloe Pullan, who mastered an entirely new position after playing primarily defense as a freshman, has put herself in position to contribute as a setter.
Audrey Pearce and Shelby Forbis spent the summer developing their skills and will be part of the varsity roster, while Avery Moore refined her defensive techniques to compete for back-row time. Freshman Rylee Dishman rounds out the roster with versatile skills that could contribute immediately in multiple positions.
The Lady Tigers established both individual and team goals before stepping on the court, implementing what Davis calls “servant leadership” — focusing on helping teammates succeed rather than individual statistics.
“Coaches are going to come prepared every single practice, every single game, but it’s accountability from us as coaches and peer-to-peer also. These kids, they want to work hard,” she said. “Anything is possible.”
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