Nixa defender Zack Voelker speaks the truth when talking about four-year lettermen.
"Not everybody can say they were on varsity all four years of their varsity career," Voelker said.
Indeed, only a select few each year can usually make such a claim. However, this season Nixa has a whopping seven seniors who are on their fourth go-around as part of the Eagles' varsity.
It's a feat not many of them would have guessed was possible prior to entering high school.
"Our freshman year, I wasn't expecting to be on varsity because that's rare," midfielder Colin Cash said. "For seven of us to be on varsity and continue that, it's been pretty remarkable."
Voelker, Cash, Carson Palmer, Kaleb James, Zach Naugle, Seth Weatherfield and Andrew Butler have all been part of coach Evan Palmer's varsity squad the past three seasons and this season, as well. Overall, Nixa boasts 14 seniors.
"That's pretty impressive," Evan Palmer said. "We've been building up to this season."
Nixa debuted with a 3-2 victory against Columbia Hickman and a 3-1 loss to Columbia Rock Bridge over the weekend. The Eagles host Joplin on Tuesday and Kickapoo on Thursday.
The matchup with the Chiefs is always compelling, but even more so this season given the slew of veterans on both sides.
"The only other team that has this kind of experience is Kickapoo," said James, a defender. "We're both probably top-five teams in the state. When we play them it will be one of the best games in the state, if not the best."
Nixa has had to make adjustments since losing Butler at the start of the summer. He suffered a torn ACL and after undergoing surgery will miss all of this season.
The Eagles feel they have the depth to overcome Butler's absence.
"I see strengths everywhere," Naugle said. "I don't see a weak point, honestly. All-around, we're deep."
They also feel their experience will make for exceptional cohesiveness.
"We have fun, which creates good soccer," Weatherfield said.
The Eagles aren't lacking for motivation, pointing to last season's Class 4 District 5 semifinal loss to Carthage.
"Last year ended awfully," Naugle said. "It was demoralizing. We want to win."
Nixa lost to Carthage after beating the Tigers 9-1 two weeks earlier. The Eagles managed just four goals over their final four matches.
"We need to get goals," said Carson Palmer, an All-COC forward last season. "We haven't had the best year getting goals these last three years. Coach Evan Palmer) always brings up that the last couple weeks last year we didn't play that well. He's trying to fire us up and has worked hard for us. Hopefully, it will pay off."
