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The 2009 De Soto volleyball team showed it could compete with some of the best teams in the league. And at times it played like a team that could advance to the state tournament.

While Paola beat De Soto in the first round of sub-state, and Paola ultimately went on to qualify for state, the Wildcats beat Paola earlier in the year. And its matches like that one that has De Soto coach Jenny Barnhart excited for next year.

“This group of players I think marked a turning point for the program,” Barnhart said. “They put in the time and effort, especially my seniors. And so those younger classmen who play club volleyball, it’s very apparent who plays volleyball more than nine weeks out of the year.

“And that’s what a lot of the teams we are facing do. They play volleyball all year long, and my girls know that I don’t ask them to only play volleyball. I understand that they play basketball and they play softball, but at the same time I want them to be doing something with volleyball in the offseason if we want to be a competitive program.”

De Soto began the year a perfect 3-0 and played well through late September. But the Wildcats couldn’t find the consistency they needed late in the year to finish out a season that started so strong. De Soto ended the year 12-23.

“Last year we finished with a better record, and we weren’t the most talented team,” Barnhart said. “But our seniors really played with a lot of heart and lived and breathed high school volleyball. They looked forward to the season, and they were so motivated. And we just need to get that back. We lost that a little bit this year.”

De Soto played with just three seniors on the team in Tami Crow, Jess Dailey and Liz Valenzuela. But Barnhart commended them for their four years of hard work to the program. Senior Jordin Burford missed the year because of a knee injury, but she was a team manager.

While the season didn’t end like the Wildcats wanted, next year could be quite different as several players including Brittany Brewer, Becca Maasen, Laura Lambert, Danielle Dowdy, Jesse Spencer and Katie Gorman all return and contributed this year.

And Barnhart said next year’s squad could be one of the most talented teams she has coached.

“This year and what’s coming up in the younger class of sophomores that’s coming is probably the most talented groups that I’ve had for a very long time,” she said. “But again, all the talent in the world isn’t going to get you championships if you don’t want to work hard and put in the time and effort and desire.”

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