Where Are They Now?

Stallings%2C+Kensinger%2C+and+Stacey+with+%0Aformer+high+school+coach+Tonya+Peck.%0APHOTO+PROVIDED+BY%0ATONYA+PECK++

Stallings, Kensinger, and Stacey with former high school coach Tonya Peck. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TONYA PECK

Jayden Kensinger

Fair Grove Volleyball has many alumni playing volleyball at the collegiate level, including Morgan Kensinger and Jorden Stacey at Evangel University, and Haley Stallings at College of the Ozarks. Kensinger is a senior who plays middle blocker, and Stacey is a freshman who is playing setter for the Crusaders. Stallings is starting at defensive specialist for the Bobcats. The three of them finally squared off on September 6th in Springfield at Evangel University.
Haley Stallings is a 2016 graduate of Fair Grove High School and she played volleyball all four years at Fair Grove. While she played for Fair Grove, she became an All-State selection her senior year. She then went on to C of O and immediately earned a starting spot at libero (defensive specialist). “College volleyball is played at a much faster pace, and I have a lot less time to react than I used to,” Haley stated. She also mentioned that she hasn’t attended her Friday classes yet because of being gone for tournaments every weekend.
Morgan Kensinger is a 2013 graduate of Fair Grove who is starting her fourth year on the Evangel volleyball team. She plays middle blocker, and has started all four years at Evangel. She was an All-State selection in high school, and is the blocks record holder at Fair Grove. Morgan has been joined by her former teammate, Jorden, this year. Morgan said, “It’s awesome being on the same team as her again! She’s a great setter and an even better teammate.” Stacey has stepped up right away and is starting at setter for the Crusaders. Stacey mentioned, “You have to have more volleyball IQ than in high school because you’re playing against some of the best players in the nation.”
September 8th was the first time any of the three girls have played against one another. Stallings stated, “It was so weird. You want your old teammates to succeed individually, but at the same time you have to desire to win.” College of the Ozarks ended up winning a very close game three sets to two.