Experience can be the ultimate teacher in high school sports. Last fall, the Iola Fillies volleyball team learned some tough lessons while navigating a highly competitive environment. This year, they are ready to turn those lessons into wins.
After playing through a rebuilding phase in 2025 with a very young and inexperienced roster, the Fillies enter the 2026 season with a massive advantage: they return every single starter and letterwinner. Head coach Lauren Moots is back for her second year at the helm, alongside assistant coaches Ally Alarid and Lacey Pavlak. The Fillies are primed to make a significant jump in the Pioneer League standings.
2025 Recap: Growing Pains Pay Off
The 2025 season was a major transition period for Iola. After graduating seven seniors from the previous squad, the Fillies had to rely heavily on new faces. The roster featured only two juniors with previous varsity experience, meaning the learning curve was steep.
Iola finished the year with a 10-25 overall record, going 3-9 to place sixth in a rigorous Pioneer League. They wrapped up their season with a 1-2 showing at postseason regionals. Despite the sub-.500 record, the younger players kept improving every single week. Four freshmen were thrown straight into the fire, starting key varsity matches and gaining invaluable experience against older, highly physical opponents.
The Core: All Starters Return to the Court
With 8 returning starters and 9 returning letterwinners, Iola boasts one of the most cohesive rosters in Southeast Kansas. The team features a perfect blend of senior leadership and battle-tested underclassmen.
Stat Leaders to Watch
- Dally Curry (SR): The undisputed anchor of the team. Curry was a 2nd Team selection in the Pioneer League last year. She has an impressive career stat line of 46 aces, 332 kills, 28.5 blocks, and 12 assists, and she officially surpassed the 500-dig milestone last season (currently sitting at 520).
- Zoie Hesse (SR): A versatile senior leader with strong multi-category production experience. Her career numbers include 30 aces, 199 kills, 81.5 blocks, 290 assists, and 291 digs.
- Haidyn Desmarteau (SO): Desmarteau had an absolute breakout freshman year, showing she can compete with anyone. In her first varsity season, she racked up 37 aces, 157 kills, 24 blocks, 14 assists, and 331 digs.
- Kashyn Curry (SO): Another sophomore who stepped up in a big way as a freshman, anchoring the back row defense with 215 digs, 14 aces, and 11 assists.
2026 Season Outlook: Aiming for the Top
While Iola has traditionally competed at the Class 3A level, postseason classifications could potentially push the school into Class 4A this fall. Regardless of where they land in October, the Fillies’ primary objective is to climb to the top of the Pioneer League.
The combination of senior anchors chasing a memorable final season and a hungry sophomore group that has already tasted varsity success makes Iola a much more dynamic and dangerous opponent.
“Looking to make big strides this season as we return all starters and lettermen from last season,” Coach Moots noted. “Leaning on our training and pushing our goals to finish in the top of our competitive league is our priority.”
With total roster continuity and a full off-season of training under their belts, the Fillies are ready to transform from a young, developing squad into a legitimate postseason contender.
Want to stay up to date on game day results? Follow the team’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts at @Iola.Volleyball.
