Small Town, Big Game: Players To Know Just Outside the KC Metro

We have to give love to the small town volleyball players! You may have to drive down some dark roads to find them, but their games shine bright. Here are some of the players you need to keep an eye out for in 2020. 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="41790" first="Lexie" last="Smither"] - OH - West Platte High School West Platte had a 29 win season a year ago. In 2020, they return 6 rotation, [player_tooltip player_id="41790" first="Lexie" last="Smither"]. In her junior campaign, she had 180 kills. On defense, she showed her ability to make plays, adding 242 digs. Katy Tharp - MH - West Platte High School We expect Tharp to have a huge season for West Platte. A season ago, she had 112 kills and 48 blocks. She will take on more responsibility this fall, which should increase her numbers. Briana Bridger - OH - North Platte High School Bridger showed her ability to potentially play all-around for North Platte in 2019. She had 89 kills from the outside. Defensively, she was very strong, adding 273 digs. She should have a large impact offensively this season. Laken Manns - MH - Lawson High School Her senior season could be the best one yet for Manns. She should be a major piece for Lawson, who returns many from a 24 win team last year. Manns was an anchor in the middle with 180 kills and 74 blocks. Sadie Hendrickson - OH - Lawson High School Lawson returns two outsides, two middles, and a setter this fall. One of the outsides is Hendrickson. As a junior, she contributed 122 kills for the offense. On defense, she chipped in 76 digs on the year. Ellie Smith - S - Lawson High School One of the setters a season ago, Smith returns for her senior season. If they run a 5-1, her numbers are capable of being higher this year. Last fall, she had 264 assists and 89 digs. [player_tooltip player_id="41756" first="Tera" last="Reberry"] - MH - Smith-Cotton High School Reberry moved to Smith-Cotton last season and made an immediate impact on the program. Their win total should increase in 2020. In her junior season, Reberry had 314 kills. She has shown the ability to hit from the middle and the pins. She was among the state’s leaders in blocks with 127. 2022 Emily Westwood - MH - North Platte High School The Panthers had a couple of standout sophomores a season ago. They both should be impact players this fall. The first, middle hitter Emily Westwood should make great strides in 2020. Last season, she had 112 kills and 48 blocks. Look for both of those numbers to make jumps in her junior year. Trinity Whitford - S/DS - North Platte High School The second North Platte rising sophomore is Whitford. Her junior season will be one to watch for in 2020. She dished out 204 assists, which could double this fall. Defensively, she had 85 digs to her credit. Natalie Schnetzler - MH - Lawson High School Schnetzler is the youngest of the returning middle hitters for Lawson this fall. She teams to give the Cardinals a solid 1-2 combo in the middle. Last year, she had 125 kills and hit at a .361 hitting percentage. She also showed her potential defensively, adding 40 blocks. Sidnee Carr - MH/RS - East Buchanan High School Carr showed she has high potential during her first season of varsity playing time in 2019. With a year of experience, look for her to break out this fall. A season ago, she had 101 kills. She should take on added scoring responsibilities this year. Emma Klein - S - East Buchanan High School Klein will be entering her third season of leading the Bulldogs from the setter position. A season ago she averaged 7.9 assists in 80 sets played for a total of 632. She also added 171 digs on the year. 2023 Anna Harrold - OH - Lawson High School Harrold burst onto the scene during her first season in Lawson. As a freshman, she immediately impacted the team playing 6 rotations for the Cardinals. Expect a huge increase during her sophomore season. Last season, she finished with 200 kills and 295 digs. Maya Watkins - OH - East Buchanan Watkins had one of the more impressive freshman seasons in the area for East Buchanan. A true 6 rotation outside hitter, she showed tremendous ability in 2019. Her ability to attack from the back row provided another weapon to her offensive game. She ended her first season with 276 kills and 266 digs.