Greater Kansas City Suburban Gold Seniors to Know in 2020

<p>While the 2020 club volleyball season sits in a holding pattern due to the current pandemic, many athletes are looking ahead to the return of volleyball with the fall high school season. This fall the suburban gold conference jumps to eight teams with the additions of Liberty and Liberty North. The conference returns some established seniors to be in Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id="41748" first="Kristen" last="Birmingham"], Ole Miss pledge [player_tooltip player_id="41749" first="Bailee" last="Middleton"], and two time all-state defender [player_tooltip player_id="41757" first="Aly" last="Gurtiza"]. Here are some names you may not know that you should write down for this upcoming season.</p> [caption id="attachment_90080" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo courtesy of hannahgraves_6 Twitter[/caption] <p><strong>Hannah Graves - MH - Park Hill High School</strong></p> <p>Graves looks to have another dominating season at the net for the Trojans.  She had a break-out season in 2019. She was among the state leaders in blocks sending back 109. The 5’10" athletic Graves also had 151 kills to help Park Hill to a 21-11-2 record.</p> <p><strong>Aile Aiona - OPP - Park Hill High School</strong></p> <p>A steady performer and a major factor in the large Trojan front line will be looked upon to deliver big this fall. The southpaw delivered 95 kills from the right side last year after missing the first couple of weeks of the season. Park Hill as a team recorded 234 blocks and Aiona was credited with 58 of them.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41786" first="Megan" last="Hoover"] - L - Park Hill High School</strong></p> <p>The third Park Hill senior to be highlighted on the list, Hoover took over the libero jersey midway through the season that sparked an eight-game winning streak. She would finish the season with 284 digs, 302 receptions, and a team-leading 35 aces. </p> <p><strong>Jnai Moultrie - OH/RS - Liberty High School</strong></p> <p>A key piece in Liberty’s state playoff run, Moultrie contributed heavily in her first season of varsity action. She is expected to again be a major contributor for the Blue Jays in 2020. In her junior season playing three rotations she finished with 108 kills.</p> [caption id="attachment_90081" align="alignright" width="150"] Photo courtesy of Paige-Huhman hudl[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41764" first="Paige" last="Huhman"] - MH - Lee’s Summit North High School</strong></p> <p>Huhman showed herself to be a consistent performer for a team that would go 11-20 on the season. The 6’1" middle hitter averaged just over 2 kills a set while only playing 49 sets last fall. As a leader on a fairly young team last year you should see her numbers double in 2020.</p> <p><strong>Rachel Spainhour - MH - Liberty North High School</strong></p> <p>The conference will quickly get to know one of its new players in the 5’11" hitter. Spainhour had a solid junior campaign in the middle for the Eagles. It was evident her confidence grew during the season sharing the front line with Rajin Cajun signee Taylor Gates. She would contribute 88 kills and 41 blocks last fall.</p> <p><strong>Abby Massengill - MH - Lee’s Summit West High School</strong></p> <p>One thing that is evident: This conference is strong with 2021 middle hitters and we will add this one to the list. Massengill will look to fill the void in the kill category with the departure of all-state performer [player_tooltip player_id="41659" first="Odyssey" last="Warren"]. In her junior season Massengill chipped in 101 kills and was a force at the net leading the team with 50 blocks.</p> [caption id="attachment_90083" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo courtesy of David M. Rainey - Special to the Examiner[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41765" first="Lily" last="Letchworth"] - S - Blue Springs High School</strong></p> <p>The all-conference setter will look to have a big year in her third season of leading the Wildcat offense. In her junior season you saw Letchworth’s game rise to another level as she directed her team to a 22-11 and a playoff berth. She would dish out 732 assist along with 201 digs. A smart player with great floor awareness she also added 71 kills.</p> <p><strong>Kylie Gregory - OH - Blue Springs South</strong></p> <p>Gregory stepped up in a major way last season for the Jaguars. As a junior she was needed to contribute after a season in which they lost nine seniors. She should have a big senior year after having 150 kills and 137 digs last fall.</p>