SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Billings High School’s volleyball program has been transformed over the past four years, and senior Alexa Garbee is the centerpiece of that resurgence. The Wildcats’ new single‑game, single‑season and career kill records all belong to Garbee, who also became the first player in school history to exceed 1,000 career kills, digs and assists.
Record‑breaking junior season
Garbee’s breakout came during her junior year when she set a school single‑season record with 503 kills, propelling Billings to the state quarterfinals. “I didn’t know that it would be that good,” she recalled. “It was surprising, but I knew what I had to do.”
Leadership and work ethic
Coach Brady Greear praised Garbee’s dedication, noting that she is “always early to practice, willing to put in extra time, extra reps, extra sessions.” He added that her calm demeanor provides a steadying influence for younger teammates. “She cares more about the team than Alexa,” Greear said, highlighting her self‑less attitude.
Impact on the program
Since Garbee joined the Wildcats, Billings has posted 20‑win seasons in each of the last two years, a marked shift from the perception that the school was an easy win on the schedule. “I was tired of people seeing Billings on their schedule and thinking it was an easy win. I wanted to change that, and we did,” Garbee said.
Milestone achievement
In late September, Garbee crossed the 1,000‑career threshold for kills, digs and assists, a first for the school. “It doesn’t even feel real, it feels great but it’s still surprising because I’m not used to it,” she said. “It feels good and I’ve worked really hard to get here.”
Looking ahead
The Wildcats have set their sights on a state tournament run this fall, after finishing just one point shy of the final four last season. “It’s been a while since Billings has went to state in anything,” Garbee noted. “If we do that, it would mean so much for everybody around us and our town.”
Community pride
Garbee’s achievements have energized the Billings community, offering a source of pride and a model of perseverance for local youth. Her calm, cerebral approach to the game and willingness to mentor younger players embody the values of hard work, family support and personal responsibility that resonate with many families in the Ozarks region.
As the season progresses, Billings fans will be watching closely to see if Garbee can help the Wildcats add another chapter to the school’s growing volleyball legacy.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
