Senior Leadership: 2022s Ready to Dominate High School Season

<p>Fall is approaching. High school season is upon us.</p> <p>Okay, I didn’t really need to tell you those things. You already knew. The exciting thing is that we’re soon going to go full speed into high school previews as we count down the days until first serve. Get excited.</p> <p>To offer a little sample of the high school previews that are soon to hit the site, I wanted to start with some standout seniors who are sure to make a huge impact this fall. Seasoned leadership will be important, and I expect these players to bring it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37529" first="Ava" last="LeGrand"] - 5’11 S - Papillion-La Vista South (Kansas State Commit)</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="82412" first="Harlei" last="Cole"] - 5’6 DS/L - Papillion-La Vista South (Iowa Commit)</strong></p> <p>Needless to say, Papillion-La Vista South should have aspirations of returning to the Class A state title match again this fall.</p> <p>The Titans were already spectacular last year, and they’re poised to be near the top again with an experienced, top-notch roster. [player_tooltip player_id="37529" first="Ava" last="LeGrand"] will be leading the way now as a senior for her talent-laden team that retains many of its players from a season ago. LeGrand’s tempo and location from the setter position help hold everything together. It’s a quality that Kansas State is surely excited to see, too.</p> [caption id="attachment_143440" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-143440" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/89089339_2881905985237179_5837782259540688896_n-1-crop-1531x1006-1621902456-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> O’Neill[/caption] <p>And, of course, a hearty congratulations is in order for [player_tooltip player_id="82412" first="Harlei" last="Cole"]. The skilled defensive specialist just announced her pledge to the University of Iowa, and her senior year with Papio South will likely show her willingness to face off against elite competition. With other talented and experienced players dotting this Papio South roster, like senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="37536" first="Emma" last="O’Neill"], the Titans might be gunning to prove they’re the best team in the entire state.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58790" first="Laci" last="Abendroth"] - 6’1 MB - Millard South</strong></p> <p>Millard South is another team on the rise, and Abendroth will be an important piece of that puzzle. This is a player who brings energy wherever she can: in the middle, on the right, or at the service line. Abendroth is joined by a great stable of seniors that we’ll certainly be featuring later in our high school previews. In short, don’t count out this Patriots team.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58777" first="Regan" last="Haith"] - 6’1 MB - Lincoln Pius X</strong></p> <p>Speaking of Lincoln-area athletes, Haith is another middle blocker who could take a big step forward in the fall. Lincoln Pius X is always a competitor in the big battle for a state championship, and it’s players like Haith that help keep the team in the hunt. Sure, the Thunderbolts lose some important pieces from last year’s squad. This group has depth, though, and this might be Haith’s time to shine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37562" first="Olivia" last="Poppert"] - 6’0 S - St. Paul</strong></p> <p>St. Paul has exhibited its winning ways for years now. This team is practically a mainstay in Lincoln when the postseason arrives. Poppert is a senior now and will continue to lead her squad with the kind of effectiveness we’ve seen for years. She connects well with this tight-knit group and has the skills to go out on top.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_107484" align="alignleft" width="202"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-107484" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/Shaylee-Myers-Fresno-St-202x300.jpeg" alt="" width="202" height="300" /> Myers[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58805" first="Courtney" last="Holsteen"] - 6’0 RS - Lincoln Southwest (Sioux Falls Commit)</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58782" first="Shaylee" last="Myers"] - 6’0 OH - Lincoln Southwest (Fresno State Commit)</strong></p> <p>Finally, we have another duo that has seen plenty of success lately. Myers and Holsteen combine to form a pin-hitting tandem that is as intimidating as it is unstoppable. They even helped achieve the seemingly impossible task of taking down Omaha Skutt in the regular season last year. This pair is joined by other impressive veterans like Southeast transfer [player_tooltip player_id="88299" first="Alexis" last="Gates"]. It’s time for the Silver Hawks to surge up the leaderboard.</p>