Seniors look to finish in the record books

<p>With the start of the season for most of Missouri high schools happening this week, I thought it would be interesting to look at the returning kill leaders for the Senior class of 2020.  With the best of 5 added to Missouri volleyball this year, it should be exciting to see how many more kills these players will accumulate. Here’s a list of the kill leaders from last year coming into their senior seasons.</p> <p>Maddie Dement Arcadia Valley</p> <p>The 5-11 middle hitter is a four-year starter for the Tigers and should add another 400+ to her already 1054 total kills from the last three years.  Currently, she would be at number 16 in the Missouri record books for career kills. Dement could finish in the top 5 in career kills. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41797" first="Mallory" last="Polk"] Lesterville</p> <p>5-9 outside/middle hitter for the Bearcats has started since her freshman year. Currently, at 960 career kills, the senior would need another 524 kills for the season to surpass former Lesterville Alum Taylor Cook at number 4 on the career kills list in the Missouri record books with 1484.  Mallory has the potential to take over games when she is on. She is swinging from all over the court. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41784" first="Grace" last="Winkelmann"] Hermann</p> <p>Coming off a state championship where she finished with 542 kills was a fantastic year for the senior. Currently, with 854 career kills to give her a chance to add possibly 600 to 700 more this season, she could skyrocket up the Missouri kill record book. She’d be sitting on 22^nd right now, but depending on her year could end up as high as 4^th. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41753" first="Salma" last="Lewis"] Carl Junction</p> <p>Salma’s kill numbers have doubled each year she’s played. Adding the best of 5, it’s not beyond a possibility that it could happen this year or at least come close. Currently, with 817 career kills, she’ll move up the record book quickly this season.  I can see her ending as a top 10 record holder.</p> <p>Audrey Weber St. Dominic</p> <p>Another dominating player that’s been slamming balls on varsity since her freshman days.  With 733 career kills starting this season, Weber can put her mark on the record books.  She was the go-to player for the Crusaders a year ago, and this year will be no different.  Finishing in the top 20 is achievable.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="101691" first="Ryenne" last="Gepford"] Butler</p> <p>Gepford has been the best player for Butler since she walked on the court three years ago.  With 728 career kills to her name Gepford is in a position to have a huge senior year.  Ending the year with over 1100 career kills shouldn’t be an issue. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41749" first="Bailee" last="Middleton"] Liberty</p> <p>Middleton had a monster year last year for the Bluejays. 406 kills while guiding the young Bluejays to the state was an outstanding season for her and her teammates.  She will need to have another monster year to repeat that goal.  714 career kills, adding in best of five-play, playing in class 5, playing against the Kansas City competition, and being the go-to player, I can see Middleton adding 500 kills to her career total.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see her end with over 1200 career kills.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="41756" first="Tera" last="Reberry"] Smith-Cotton</p> <p>6-2 Reberry would be any team’s main terminator and rightfully so. She’s been pretty consistent the last two years with around 315 kills apiece.  With a career total of 714 with her time at Pleasant Hill and Smith-Cotton, Reberry should surpass 1000 career kills quickly. </p>