Inductees

Growing up in southeast Missouri, volleyball was hardly a part of Bill Zoll’s vocabulary.

Zoll had a causal relationship with the sport at Fisk High School, participating in the sport mostly during PE classes. He played volleyball during intramurals as an undergraduate at Southeast Missouri State University. But that was pretty much it.

While coaching junior high basketball at Bernie, it was suggested to him that he take over the volleyball program. For 17 years he helped lay the groundwork for success at the high school level before eventually getting his shot at the top job. And when he earned that shot, he didn’t miss.

“Best decision I ever made,” he said.”

Zoll ultimately became one of the most successful and respected high school  olleyball coaches in the state of Missouri. He compiled 317 victories in 10 seasons at Bernie High School between 1991 and 2000, leading the Lady Mules to six state championships (1994-96, 1998, 1999). At one point his teams won a state-record 76 consecutive matches. Those accomplishments are why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Zoll as a member of its Class of 2024.

Zoll will be the first to admit he was a tough coach to play for.

“I was a strict disciplinarian and expected 100 percent effort,” he said. “I also wanted my teams to be in better physical condition than anyone they played, and they were.”

He’ll also admit that he didn’t really know a lot about the sport, even when he took over at the high school.

“When I took over the high school job, I knew very little about volleyball then except how to teach the fundamental skills,” he told the Missouri High School Volleyball Association in 2011. “Before I started coaching, I’d never really been around volleyball that much, but I basically learned the fundamentals and that’s what I taught our kids.”

Zoll found immediate success at Bernie HS. In his first season (1991), he guided the Lady Mules to a third-place finish at the state tournament despite not having the talent or experience of the previous team which also finished third.

“That team played with heart and determination more than overpowering skill,” he said. “That’s one of my favorite teams.”

In 1994, Zoll and the Lady Mules captured Bernie’s first state championship in any sport, finishing the year with a 33-1 record.

The next year, Zoll and the Lady Mules pulled off a rare undefeated season, posting a 38-0 record on their way to a second straight state title.

“What made that team so special,” Zoll said, “was their love of the game and their dedication.”

That 1995 squad also was part of a state-record 76 consecutive victories, a streak which spanned over parts of three seasons.

“Obviously it was a lot of fun having a group that felt losing was not an option,” Zoll said.”

A three-year run of dominance concluded in 1996 as Bernie completed the three-peat of state titles, despite moving up to Class 2. That version of the lady Mules went 37-1, giving Bernie a three-year record of 108-2. That’s an incredible .982 winning percentage.

The Lady Mules finished second in 1997, then closed out their amazing run of championship success with titles in 1998 (39-1) and 1999 (36-2).

Zoll gives the credit for Bernie’s success to not only the players, but the parents and the town.

“We were backed up by a great group of parents and community,” Zoll said. “I had some super kids. I had super parents, too.”

As is almost always the case, Zoll didn’t reach these heights without some assistance. Most notably, from his wife, Judy.

Zoll, who also served as an assistant basketball coach at Bernie, sometimes had trouble managing coaching more than one team at time. His wife Judy sometimes would oversee one practice until Bill ended another and was able to start with the other team.”My wife was a big help for me,” Zoll said. “She kept me in line and she kept score for me and made sure I had lineups right.”

Zoll was stunned when he got the call from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

“I never dreamed it would happen, but the best part is having the teams included,” Zoll said. “They did the hard work and deserve the recognition more than me.”