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By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Each season, senior outside hitter Darcy Sunderman has increased her kill totals. With 153 this season, Sunderman is well on her way to going over the 200-kill mark for the first time in her career.
 
In fact, it could happen in the five-match homestand that starts 6 p.m. Friday against Washburn at Bearcat Arena and continues 6 p.m. Saturday against Emporia State.
 
Northwest, 11-10 overall and 5-4 in the MIAA, plays seven of its final 10 regular-season matches at home. The Bearcats are in a four-way tie for fifth place.
 
"It is important to us as that we finish the season off strong," Sunderman said. "We are going to have so much more momentum and confidence in defending our court, defending the paw. That will help us in the conference standings."
 
One thing that is certain: Sunderman will do whatever coach Amy Woerth and her coaching staff tell her to help improve the team. Woerth recognized the coachable aspect of Sunderman's game when she was recruiting her out of Clarinda High School in Clarinda, Iowa.
 
"We knew she was very versatile and could do different things," Woerth said. "She had been a middle in high school and left side in club. She was someone we definitely had on our radar. She still needed to develop, but she was working hard and being trained well. All those things together, we knew she could add a lot."
 
Sunderman was a four-time All-Hawkeye Ten Conference selection in high school. She was also Southwest Iowa Player of the Year three times.
 
Interestingly, Sunderman figured she was headed somewhere else for college during much of her high school days. Clarinda is only 30 miles to the north of Maryville.
 
It was too close, Sunderman felt. Despite the proximity, she decided to go for a visit and get a feel for the team and the campus.
 
"I absolutely loved the campus," she said. "I loved the coaches, the team. I felt like it could be a second home to me. It is close enough to home that I can go home if I need to, but I can stay away if I don't want to go home. I am glad I decided to come here."
 
Like the team, Sunderman improved each season. She went from appearing in only four matches her freshman year to averaging 1.77 kills per set as a sophomore in 2015. In that season, Northwest had it first winning season since 2000.
 
"Coming in, I was a player who was able to hit shots," Sunderman said. "Coming into the college realm, it is a lot more difficult. I think I have progressed and made changes, getting a little bit stronger and little more power behind that ball. I am still making placement shots when I hit, but developing more power has allowed me to get more kills."
 
The Bearcats had a breakout season in Sunderman's junior year. Northwest won its first 15 matches and moved into the AVCA top 25 for the first time in the program's history.
 
Sunderman also had her best season in a Bearcat uniform, recording a career-high 196 kills, 102 sets, and 47 blocks.
 
Growing up on a cattle, corn and soybean farm learned at an early age the value of hard work. Sunderman brought the same work ethic to the classroom and the volleyball court. She has made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll the last two seasons. She is on schedule to graduate in the spring with a degree in business agriculture.
 
Sunderman's goal is to work in the agriculture field. She understands the importance of farming.
 
 "Farming is such a risky business," she said. "I just love all the hard work. You really are feeding America. You are doing something that is crucial to this world and life. I grew up on a farm. I have a passion for it. It comes naturally to me to enjoy being in the outdoors and doing that kind of stuff.
 
"I did an internship with NRCS-USDA. I am planning to stick with them and see where it takes me."
 
Her success on and off the court, Woerth said, shows she puts in the time to balance academics with athletics.
 
"To be a student-athlete, it takes a lot of time," Woerth said. "She is excelling in both of them, which is cool to see. I never had to worry about Darcy. She is working her tail off in both, which is exactly the work ethic we want our captains to have."
 
The Bearcats and Sunderman want to finish the season strong. Although the Bearcats haven't won as much as a year ago, the journey this season has been just as enjoyable for Sunderman as the previous years.
 
"Just getting to know the girls better and making new friends, I wouldn't trade this season for the world," Sunderman said.
 
Woerth enjoys this year's team because the players have positive attitudes like Sunderman's.
 
"They are fun to be around," Woerth said. "There is a lot of energy with this group. They have a good humor about them. It is fun to walk in practice and know that is going to be there. They understand all the sacrifice that goes into developing a championship culture. They are coachable. They trust me. It is nice to have that following to be able to mentor them."
 
The Bearcats are eager to bring their positive attitude back to Bearcat Arena. Their last home match was Sept. 30 when they beat Missouri Southern 3-1.
 
"I can't wait to see all the fans in the stands at home and see familiar faces in the crowd," Sunderman said. "It is going to help us and boost our confidence a little more."