The Mt. Zion Braves volleyball team enters the 2026 season with a strong sense of togetherness, plenty of experience and high expectations.
With seven seniors who have been playing together since around sixth grade, the Braves believe their chemistry can be one of their biggest strengths this season.
Senior Kendall Smith says the group has built a strong bond over the years and is ready to take the next step.
“We’ve really just built our team bonding,” Smith said. “We’re ready to come and dominate this season.”
Communication has been a major focus for the Braves throughout the offseason and preseason. Smith said the seniors have embraced their role as leaders, helping younger players understand the importance of communication and working together on the court.
For senior Jillian Durbin, communication is one of the most important pieces of the Braves’ success.
“Communication just ties us all together,” Durbin said, noting that it helps players understand who is taking the ball and what their responsibilities are on the court.
The Braves have also spent significant time working on their serve receive and offensive connections. After losing their setter and two key hitters from last year’s team, developing chemistry between the setters and hitters has been a major priority.
Durbin said the team has already seen improvement, particularly with its hitting.
Mt. Zion is also motivated by last season’s postseason finish. The Braves fell in the regional championship, and the players are determined to make another run and finish the job this season.
Taylorville is one opponent that has particularly caught the Braves’ attention. Mt. Zion faced the Tornadoes multiple times last season, including the regional tournament, with several close matches.
Senior Avelyn Ethell said the Braves are looking forward to another opportunity against Taylorville while also setting their sights on competing against everyone in the conference.
“We’re really scrappy. We’re going to be really consistent with our shots,” Ethell said. “We work hard. We give it our all. We have each other’s back.”
Head coach Kristin Sams enters her second season leading the Braves and has quickly established an expectation of hard work and accountability.
Sams said her players have bought into the program and consistently give everything they have when they step onto the court.
The Braves lost four seniors who were starters last season, meaning Sams and her staff have been working to find the right combination of players to fill those spots.
“We want to compete, we want to fight, but also play with intensity and intentionality,” Sams said.
One of the biggest messages during practice has been simple: no ball is out of reach.
Sams has challenged her players to pursue every ball and develop the mindset that every play matters. The Braves are also focused on finding that first kill and finishing points offensively.
While replacing four starters is a challenge, Sams believes the seven seniors give Mt. Zion an exciting foundation to build around.
The Braves are also benefiting from strong community support. Sams said the gym was well attended for big matchups last season, particularly against Taylorville and Mahomet, while the student section helped create an energetic atmosphere.
With another season on the horizon, Mt. Zion enters 2026 with a clear identity: work hard, communicate, play with purpose and compete every night.
The Braves know there is work to do, but with seven seniors, a close-knit group and a coaching staff committed to developing the team both on and off the court, Mt. Zion believes it has the pieces to make another strong postseason push.
