A Freshman Spark for Joplin Volleyball
Early debut on a young roster
Joplin volleyball entered the 2025 season with only two seniors and a roster stacked with underclassmen. That youth movement opened the door for freshman Kate Drinkwitz, who cracked the varsity lineup just a few months removed from middle school. The 2025–26 Joplin roster on MaxPreps lists Drinkwitz as a freshman, underscoring how young the Lady Eagles are. Head coach Emily Killion has said she embraces the challenge of a rebuilding year and has emphasized positivity and hard work, encouraging her players to “beat your ghost” – a motto that urges them to improve by one percent each day. Such an environment has allowed newcomers like Drinkwitz to grow quickly.
Making an impact
Drinkwitz wasted little time making her presence felt. In an early‑season match on Sept. 4, Joplin faced a strong Lebanon squad and fell in straight sets, yet the stat sheet highlighted Drinkwitz’s potential. She paced the Eagles with five kills in the loss, the only Joplin hitter to register more than a couple of points. Defensive specialist Scarlett Parke recorded 22 digs and junior Vivian Longnecker handed out nine assists, but it was Drinkwitz’s swings from the left side that gave Lebanon trouble. Her ability to terminate rallies hinted at the offensive balance Joplin hopes to build in coming seasons.
Growing within the program
Drinkwitz’s emergence comes as Joplin works to redefine its identity. Killion’s program puts heavy emphasis on mindset; she has encouraged her players to adopt a “goldfish mentality,” meaning they quickly forget mistakes and stay focused on the next point. That approach has helped the young Eagles navigate rough patches in matches and maintain composure against older, more experienced teams. For a freshman like Drinkwitz, the mental side of the game is as important as the physical, and she has embraced the challenge by staying upbeat even when the scoreboard is lopsided.
Looking ahead
As the 2025 season progresses, Drinkwitz is expected to assume more responsibility at the net and possibly in the back‑row as a six‑rotation player. Joplin will continue to lean on veteran libero Scarlett Parke and setter Vivian Longnecker, but the future of the attack lies with players like Drinkwitz and fellow sophomore Leighton Pena. If her five‑kill performance against Lebanon is any indication, Drinkwitz has the athleticism and composure to be a cornerstone of the Lady Eagles’ offense for years to come. On a team focused on incremental improvement, her early contributions are a promising sign of a brighter future in Joplin volleyball.
