Top Kansas 6A Teams to Watch in 2021

<p>The high school volleyball season kicks off action this weekend. Here are some of the favorites entering the year from Class 6A in the state of Kansas. </p> <p><strong>Olathe Northwest - 2020 Record 29-3</strong></p> <p>A team that returns their top three in the kills category has to be a favorite to start the year, right? And all three are sophomores, so a year older and have more experience after a strong club season. [player_tooltip player_id="119707" first="Skyler" last="Pierce"], [player_tooltip player_id="119724" first="Jillian" last="Huckabey"], and [player_tooltip player_id="119723" first="Julia" last="Headley"] will lead the charge offensively in 2021. The three combined return 886 of the teams 1063 kills from last fall’s state tournament run. The first ball will be crucial and in that they return [player_tooltip player_id="123100" first="Emily" last="Slightom"], who was the team lead in digs and receptions. We will see who takes over the setting duties after the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="105487" first="Courtney" last="Jackson"]. </p> <p><strong>Blue Valley West - 2020 Record 22-7 (State Champions)</strong></p> <p>This team got hot when it mattered winning 17 of their final 18 matches to win the state title in 2020. The key position to watch similar to Olathe Northwest is who fills the void at setter with the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="105488" first="Alyssa" last="Miller"]. Whoever earns the position has weapons returning to help defend a title. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="120071" first="Taylor" last="Stockman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="120079" first="Brooke" last="Leiker"] are back in 2021. They were 1 and 2 in the kill department. Also, look for Jordyn Anderson to have an extended role in the offense. [player_tooltip player_id="123099" first="Morgan" last="Colangelo"] returns to anchor the back row in her final season. </p> <p><strong>Washburn Rural - 2020 Record 23-6</strong></p> <p>Like some of the other teams mentioned, the firepower on the pins came from an underclassman at Washburn Rural in [player_tooltip player_id="120008" first="Brooklyn" last="DeLeye"]. The 6’2" outside hitter is one of the top players in the country and poised for another great year. She has [player_tooltip player_id="119699" first="Zoe" last="Canfield"] back to dish her the ball this fall. Other players expected to be in the mix are [player_tooltip player_id="120044" first="Taylor" last="Russell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="201027" first="Jada" last="Ingram"]</p> <p><strong>Wichita Northwest - 2020 Record 12-2</strong></p> <p>Northwest had a shortened season last year due to the pandemic but managed to come within one game of advancing to the state tournament. Caiya and [player_tooltip player_id="150065" first="Camdyn" last="Stucky"] are back for their senior and sophomore seasons. Caiya is the top returnee in the kill category. Camdyn showed this spring/summer she is one of the top young players in the state. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="120034" first="Brailee" last="Bogle"] is back for her junior campaign. </p> <p><strong>Lawrence Free State - 2020 Record 18-14</strong></p> <p>Free State ended the 2020 season four games above 500 with a pretty young team. We look for them to be much improved after a season under their belts and a competitive club season for many of them. We return most of their scorers, being led by juniors [player_tooltip player_id="120009" first="Aubrey" last="Duncan"] and [player_tooltip player_id="120010" first="Sawyer" last="Thomsen"]. The duo combined for just under 500 kills as sophomores. Senior Kenzie Marcum played in every set last season and will look to outpace the 158 kills she contributed. [player_tooltip player_id="123173" first="Madison" last="Beeley"] had just under 300 digs in her junior season and will look to keep the offense in system.</p> <p><strong>Derby - 2020 Record 22-12</strong></p> <p>Derby graduated their top scorer from a season ago but return two players tied with 175 in senior [player_tooltip player_id="105640" first="Tatum" last="Boettjer"] and junior Addy Brown. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="119701" first="Addy" last="Foster"] had a stellar freshman year leading the back row in digs. Like some of the other contenders, the setting position will be one to watch early in the season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>