Fair Grove High School Volleyball returns with Dani Kepler as their new head volleyball coach, with Morgan Roepke and Shyan Lankford joining as assistant coaches for the 2025 season.
Kepler, a former Fair Grove volleyball player throughout middle and high school, as well as a former FG Unit (Fair Grove’s club volleyball team) coach and high school assistant coach, brings years of experience and school spirit to the program.
Preceding the retirement of previous volleyball head coach and current high school counselor, Tonya Peck, Kepler served as the assistant coach for seven years before taking over. Kepler shared, “This group of girls are very special to me,” Kepler continued, “I have coached all of them at the JV level before this year… I love that each player brings something different to our team.”
So far, Kepler has emphasized fundamentals, player development, mental toughness, and team connection when training. She explained, “My coaching style focuses on developing well-rounded players first, so… all players practice all skills. We also have practice time where it is more specialized and focuses on position work.”
Roepke also brings years of playing and coaching experience to the program. She competed at Glendale High School and Evangel University before beginning her coaching career. Since then, she has worked with middle school, high school, and club teams.
At Fair Grove, she leads the junior varsity squad and assists in practices. Roepke said, “Together we try to help our girls grow in their knowledge of the game and volleyball skills.” She describes her coaching style as “firm, but fun,” emphasizing competitiveness as well as relationship building.
Lankford, a returning Fair Grove graduate, played volleyball for the Eagles from seventh grade through her senior year, earning all state honors before moving into coaching. She previously coached middle school softball, middle school volleyball, and high school volleyball at Pleasant Hope. At Fair Grove, she specializes in defense, leading drills on footwork, passing, and communication.
Lankford clarified, “As an assistant coach, my responsibilities are to build great student athletes on and off the court.” She also stresses the importance of mental preparation, sharing a phrase she likes to use, “‘I can and I will’ has been a big voice in my head throughout the years of playing sports and I really stress for the girls to say the same.”
With Kepler stepping into her new role and Roepke and Lankford joining the program, the Fair Grove volleyball team enters the 2025 season with a new coaching staff. Together, the three coaches bring years of playing and coaching experience, as well as a shared focus on teamwork, skill development, and mental toughness.
