It has long been said, beware of the quiet ones.
Independence rising junior Aubree Cantrell may not be a loud and boisterous player, but when she attacks the net, Cantrell swings with a booming voice.
“She is just a good kid. What you see is what you get. Aubree is the same everyday,” Independence head coach Kevin Bragg said. “Aubree primarily leads by example, but she also is starting to get a voice on her.”
Although Cantrell dabbled in swimming, gymnastics, softball and basketball at a young age, down deep there was a volleyball player waiting to break loose.
“I started playing volleyball when I was in third grade,” Cantrell said. “My aunt, Sidney Curtis, played for Philip Barbour. The year before I started playing, I watched her play in the state tournament and I thought that would be really cool if I played (volleyball). So, here I am.”
Transition to the high school game can often be tough for incoming freshmen. That has not been the case for Cantrell who has been a force for the Patriots each of her first two seasons.
“It was different, but I didn’t think the jump was too big because I had already been playing travel volleyball,” Cantrell said about playing high school volleyball. “I much more prefer playing high school volleyball.”
Bragg fully agreed that playing for coaches Jerry Umberger and former Woodrow Wilson all-state hitter Makenzi Coulter during the off-season has been a big key to her advanced development.
“She has worked really hard and has been fortunate enough to get on a really good Club team. It has made a big difference for her,” Bragg said. “Every year she comes back with something different. Last year, she made the move to the middle and her ability to change directions has been great. This year she has also blocked better.”
Her quick development was on full display when Cantrell was thrust into largely being the go-to hitter for Independence, be it at the net or from the back row.
“Her freshman year she didn’t get a lot of kills, but she was consistent. She was really steady and didn’t make a lot of errors,” Bragg said. “Last year, if it wasn’t Aubree or Jaina (Davis) taking a swing, we struggled to get a kill.”
While it was a huge responsibility for such a young player, Cantrell was more than willing to step into that crucial role for the Patriots.
“I have always thought that I thrived under pressure, so I like being that type of player. I always feel like my teammates are super supportive,” Cantrell said. “That is what I love about this team, we always pick each other up. I know they have my back and I have their back. That eases some of that pressure.”
This season, Cantrell is hoping to help lead her team to the state tournament, a place the Patriots have not been since 2018. While that is one of the big goals for the team, the path will once again be a tough road to travel.
Sectional play includes volleyball powers Shady Spring and Herbert Hoover, along with Nicholas County and a fast improving squad from Liberty.
Regional play will feature last year’s sectional champion, Wyoming East, PikeView, Bluefield or Westside.
A large portion of the postseason hope centers around some new faces and an impressive freshman class that has Cantrell excited. It will be a group that will not allow defenders to key on Indy’s big gun.
“I definitely think we can make it to states this year. We have several freshman coming in and I am super impressed with them,” Cantrell said. “We have hitters and back row players coming in, along with an awesome setter. We are gaining a bunch of players that I feel like can help us get there. We are all going to thrive this year. I can feel it. It is going to be a good year.”
Independence opens the season Aug. 26 at the Princeton Tournament.
