Class 1 top returning statistical leaders for 2021 — Part 2
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Part 2 of the top returning players for Class 1. Katilyn Belk-Junior-Bunker Belk helped the Eagles to their best season in years. The junior to be put down 315 kills on .217% hitting, 314 digs, and 32 aces. Season-high…
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Continue ReadingPart 2 of the top returning players for Class 1.
Katilyn Belk-Junior-Bunker
Belk helped the Eagles to their best season in years. The junior to be put down 315 kills on .217% hitting, 314 digs, and 32 aces. Season-high of 23 kills twice last year. This year, they are looking for more success for the Eagles in a stacked district with Lesterville, Winona, and South Iron.
Emma McIntire-Senior-Archie
Emma guided the Whirlwinds to 2nd place finish in districts. She finished a junior year with 294 kills, 40 blocks, 317 digs, and 34 aces. 16 kills twice was her season-highs last year.
Madison Ayers-Junior-South Iron
The Panthers will be looking for Ayers to take this team to the next level. Stuck in a district with state runner-up Lesterville and power Winona this could be the year for the Panthers. Ayers finished her sophomore year with 265 kills and 442 digs. Season-high 19 kills in a 3-1 win over Eminence and 37 digs in a 3-2 win over Winona.
Kaitlyn Clenney-Senior-Gideon
The Bulldogs finished the year 31-2-1 and lost to Advance, falling one game short of the final four. Bulldogs will need Clenney to have another solid year where she had 264 kills and hit .325% as a junior. District championship over Bernie 16 kills was a season-high.
Drew Gayle-Junior-South Iron
Part of the 1 2 punch is returning for a junior year for the Panthers. With Gayle’s 352 assists, 52 aces, 244 digs, and 254 kills, this combo for the Panthers could get them over the edge. Last year, the Panthers lost to Winona in the district semifinals, but six return and add a new young coach. Season-high 21 kills in a 3-2 win over Winona.
Emma Datema-Senior-Billings
Emma finished the season with 570 digs, and 166 kills for the Wildcats. Another season is needed to get her team back into the state playoffs. 15 kills in a 3-0 win over Wheaton and 39 digs in a 1-3 loss to Forsyth are season-highs.
Tatum Torres-Junior-Greenfield
Tatum Torres finished last year with 85 blocks and 167 kills to help Greenfield finish one win away from the final four. Tatum is the leading blocker returning for Class 1. Season-high 12 blocks in a 3-0 over Liberal.
Molly Conrad-Senior-Meadow Heights
The 5’10 senior to be finished with 74 blocks last year and is the 2nd returning block leader in Class 1. Season-highs of 11 blocks and 14 kills in separate matches.
Trista Torres-Junior-Greenfield
With 533 digs in her sophomore year is an outstanding return for the Wildcats. Trista will guide Greenfield’s back row into a deep playoff run again this year.
She has the 2nd most digs of any returning player for Class 1. Season-high of 37 digs in a 3-1 win over Appleton City/Montrose in the state playoffs.
Malerie Sharp-Senior-Gideon
Malerie finished last season in third place in assist behind Grace Hicks Grace Hicks 5'5" | S Lesterville | 2023 State MO and Alandry Below. With 889 assists and 156 digs last year, the Bulldogs have a solid combo returning. During the district win over Bernie, Sharp dished out 42 assists.
Danika Wattenbarger Danika Wattenbarger 5'6" | S St. Joseph Christian | 2024 State MO -Sophomore-St Joseph Christian
The top 4 assist leaders are returning in Class 1. Danika will be a sophomore and has already put up solid numbers for the Lions. She will be looked to as a leader to get the Lions back into the state playoffs. Season-high of 42 assists in a 3-1 over Northland Christian.