Inductees

Tonya Peck never set out to build a dynasty. She simply followed a calling, one season at a time, in a small Missouri town that became synonymous with volleyball excellence.

For 24 seasons at Fair Grove High School, Peck poured herself into the Lady Eagles program, shaping not only one of the state’s most successful teams, but generations of young women who learned how to compete, lead and care for one another. When she stepped down following the 2024 season, her résumé told part of the story. The rest lived in the relationships that endured long after the final whistle.

Peck finished her career with a 618-177-53 record, averaging nearly 26 wins per season. Fair Grove reached four Final Fours (2001, 2013, 2023, 2024), captured back-to-back Class 2 state championships in 2023 and 2024, won 10 district titles and claimed 14 Mid-Lakes Conference championships.

And that’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Peck as part of the Class of 2026.

Peck never imagined her name would be etched alongside Missouri’s coaching greats.

“I never once envisioned myself being worthy of an honor like this,” Peck said. “I’m just an average person who tried to follow God’s lead and love on the athletes placed in my care. To be standing here alongside so many truly great individuals is overwhelming in the best way.”

Her individual honors reflect sustained excellence. Peck was named Mid-Lakes Conference Coach of the Year 15 times, Missouri Class 2 Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, and Missouri All-Class Coach of the Year in 2023. In 2024, she was also selected as the National Federation of High Schools’ Section V Volleyball Coach of the Year.

But when Peck reflects on her time at Fair Grove, trophies and banners are secondary to the culture that defined the program.

“What set our program apart was the buy-in to something bigger than the game itself,” Peck said. “We wanted them to love the sport, compete with pride for their school, and most importantly learn to love and support one another.”

She credits that culture — a family atmosphere built on trust and accountability — as the program’s lasting legacy.

“When I look back, it’s the culture and the relationships that continue long after the final game that define the program far more than any record or trophy ever could,” Peck said.

A 1996 graduate of Ash Grove High School, Peck was a multi-sport standout, earning all-conference and All-District honors in volleyball, basketball and softball, while also competing in track. She continued her volleyball career at Missouri State-West Plains and Southwest Baptist University before beginning her coaching journey as an assistant at Ash Grove.

Her opportunity at Fair Grove came because someone believed in her.

“I want to thank Tim Leeper for believing in me and seeking me out to begin my coaching career at Fair Grove,” Peck said. “He gave me the opportunity that started it all.”

Peck is quick to emphasize that coaching is never a solo endeavor. She points first to her husband, Matt. They are parents to Kynlee, Karis and Creed.

“Without his support, this career simply would not have been possible,” Peck said. “He has truly been the superpower that allowed me to do what I love for so many years.”

Her parents were constants, too. Her father, Larry Cox, was there from the beginning, serving as a line judge throughout her career.

The Fair Grove program also leaned heavily on Lindy Carver, whom Peck described as her right-hand person, especially in the offseason and through the club program. Peck praised the contributions of assistant coaches Stacy Beckley, Dani Kepler, Nancy Downing, Sarah Englis, Michelle Graves and many others, along with mentors Tammy Gorman, Cheryl and Mike Shores, Jamalee Hancock and Jenny Talbert.

Building something special in a small-school community, Peck said, was not only about winning, but also building great character.

“My goal was always to build up young women,” Peck said. “I wanted my athletes to look back and see proof that they could do hard things, and that the lessons they learned would carry into every part of their lives.”

Now, with that chapter closed, Peck finds herself reflecting on the relationships that defined her career.

“The greatest blessing of my career has been watching them grow into strong, successful women,” Peck said. “Those moments mean more to me than any win, record or title ever could, and they are the lasting reward of a career I am forever grateful for.”