All the pieces are aligned for Nixa volleyball to make it's third consecutive trip back to the state title game, and it's third consecutive 30-plus win season.

2019 was a year Nixa will remember forever, as it marked the first volleyball state championship. 2020 the Lady Eagles reached the title game but fell just short to undefeated Liberty North. 

Over the previous two years Nixa has seen an astonishing 77-8 record.

Division one commits Sydney Golden (Northern Iowa) and Jaycee Fixsen (Missouri State) both possess a state ring and played their own role in those 77 wins, seeking to add another 30.

Golden and Fixsen lead the charge for head coach Annie Zimmerman, who holds an impressive 184-54 record during her current stint at Nixa.

Golden enters her fourth year as the Lady Eagles' starter and is a two-time all-state setter who is returning after a state record-breaking junior season.

The Lady Eagles' offense will run through Golden.

"Sydney is a four-year starting setter who provides great experience and confidence running our offense. She plays the game with tremendous drive and elevates the level of play for our entire team," Zimmerman said.

Golden became the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) record holder for most assists in a season with 1163 at the conclusion of the 2020 season. Golden also enters her final season holding the top-three MSHSAA spots for most assists in a match with 62, 57 and 56. Additionally, Golden is on pace to add another record to her name, as she enters the season as MSHSAA's No. 4 in career assists with 2839. The top record is 3722.

A plethora of those assists in achieving that record can be accredited to Fixsen. Fixsen led the Lady Eagles with 438 kills and 41 aces in 2020. On the defensive side, she topped the team in digs with 399 and also added 39 blocks.

Subsequently, Fixsen was awarded with all-state honors, and her versatility provides the Lady Eagles with many options for utilization.

"Jaycee is an outside hitter/six-rotation player who is a scoring threat from the front and back row," stated Zimmerman. "She is extremely versatile and could play multiple positions at the net for us this season."

Defensive specialists senior Addison Tauai and junior Emma Conrad saw their first full-time varsity roles in 2020 and are catalysts in the back court for the 2021 Lady Eagles. Conrad (347) and Tauai (274) combined for over 600 digs in 2020.

Tauai provides multiple facets in the back court.

"Addison brings great athleticism and energy to our back court. She also has an aggressive serve we will rely on to not only put pressure on other teams serve receive, but score points with her serve as well," Zimmerman commented on Tauai.

A year ago Tauai aced 37 serves, tieing her second with Golden of the returners.

Conrad is a go-to in the back court who can always get the job done. 

"Emma has awesome ball control skills and has a calming presence providing consistency/reliability to our serve receive and defensive systems," Zimmerman said of Conrad.

Outside hitters in senior Allie Billmyer and junior Norah Clark return and play a more integral role this year. Both really excelled during the later stages of last season, helping the Lady Eagles make that deep postseason run.

It was actually Clark's match-winning kill against St. Francis Borgia that sent the Lady Eagles to the state title game.

Billmyer tallied 232 kills last year, second-leading returning hitter, and has the potential to be a six rotation player this year.

"Allie has the ability to hit a variety of shots and will push to be a six rotation player this season," said Zimmerman. "She is super competitive and brings a lot of positive energy to the court." 

Zimmerman expects Clark to pick up right where she left off and her size and athleticism will allow her to elevate her game even more.

"Norah is a right side hitter that brings size and athleticism to our front row. She made big contributions for our team during the second half of our season last year and we will look for her to pick up where she left off and keep that momentum rolling," she said.

The Lady Eagles graduated five from last year's runner-up team and will have to replace all-state hitter Taylor Golmen who is now playing at John Brown University. Carsen Glaser (Western Colorado) and Rachel Janisch (William Penn) are also playing collegiately.

2019 graduates and state champions Kenzie Hines (Rockhurst), Jordan Collard (William Jewell) and Lexie Gregory (Central Arkansas) are all witnessing consistent playing time and roles for their respective teams.

Depth up and down the roster provides Zimmerman with options for Golmen's replacement. 

One option is returning senior Jena Medaris who now has a year of experience under her belt, had 145 kills and is poised for a breakout senior campaign.

"Jena showed tremendous growth during her junior season. We will rely on her physical strength and size to be a consistent contributor in our offense and a defensive presence at the net," stated Zimmerman.

Junior newcomer Hillary Estes is another option who can fill the role and can make a big impact this season.

"Hillary has a lot of experience playing the middle position and has great potential to be both a defensive and offensive threat for us in that role."

A successful club and summer season with the 417 Juniors also put Estes on colleges' radars.

Along with Estes, Billmyer, Clark and Medearis have sparked colleges' interest, according to Zimmerman.

Taylor Golmen's younger sister Maddie, a junior, is another Lady Eagle newcomer Zimmerman believes can make an impact this season.

"Maddie is an outside/right side hitter and she is a very talented all-around player who has the ability to play multiple positions."

Nixa volleyball has built a great tradition and culture over the past few years and it is evident on and off the court.

2021 has all the makings to carry that on yet again for another special season.

"This group works extremely hard, faces challenges head on and has great chemistry with each other on and off the court.  I think this team has the opportunity to experience a really special season. I feel extremely blessed to be their coach," Zimmerman said on her outlook for the season.

The quest for a third consecutive state berth begins with a jamboree and then Lady Eagles open the regular season against Fayetteville. They will also defend their 2020 Springfield and Ozark Tournament championships while competing in the Blue Springs South Tournament.