Kansas and Missouri Athletes Heading to National Team Development
With the qualifying season coming to an end, a handful of players from Kansas and Missouri will be heading near Chicago for some training with the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program. Let’s take a deeper dive into these athletes. …
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Continue ReadingWith the qualifying season coming to an end, a handful of players from Kansas and Missouri will be heading near Chicago for some training with the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program. Let’s take a deeper dive into these athletes.
U 16/17
Mya Bolton Mya Bolton 5'3" | DS/L St. James Academy | 2024 State #134 Nation KS – L/DS – Power ‘]
Bolton has made a name for herself on the volleyball scene following in the footsteps of an older sister who was pretty good herself. She is a key piece in the success seen by Power ‘] 16-1 over the last couple of seasons. One thing that stands out about her play is her volleyball IQ and ability to read shots and position herself to make a play. A player who has also set a little during the high school season, that skill set comes in handy on 2nd ball when the setter is out. She will continue to get better with time.
Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO – OH – Adidas Dynasty
She jumped on the scene right away as a freshman and helped her high school team get to the promised land. She followed that up by helping lead her team to a national title She has been phenomenal this spring even while being a bit banged up. She is a true six rotation pin, who makes highlight level plays on the back row in defense. She has an array of shots and is another player who will continue to improve as she gets stronger.
Reese Messer Reese Messer 5'11" | S St. James | 2025 State #6 Nation KS – S – Adidas Dynasty
A player who quite honestly doesn’t get talked about enough, Messer is one of the elite 16U setters in the nation. The reason she may go unnoticed is due to the weapons around her but she is as poised as they come from the position. She can mix it up with her sets to keep defenses off balance. She is a true definition of a floor general.
Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO – RS – Adidas Dynasty
We often have to remind ourselves she plays up age because she looks so at home and dominant against other 16u teams. Mullen has the size and Power many college coaches are drooling over. She is an elite attacker and holds her own defensively at the net with her blocking. We don’t want to sound like a broken record but as she continues to get stronger and faster in the footwork department, she will be in conversations as the top player in the class.
U18/U19
Julia Headley Julia Headley 6'2" | MB St. James | 2024 State #103 Nation KS – OH – Power ‘]
Headley brings so many things to the table with her game. She is consistent and dependable, which is one thing needed in a pin scorer. She is going to find the floor, it just depends on which route she uses to get there. She has many intangibles that help guide her Power ‘] 16-1 team She is a player still growing in the back row but with her athleticism and court savvy, she is well on her way to being a dominant six rotation player.
Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO – S – Adidas Dynasty
The older Mullen will make it a family affair in Chicago. Mullen has already committed to UCLA and she has continued to make strides in her game. Her blocking and court defense have improved after putting in hard work. She helped lead Dynasty 17 Black to an open bid this spring with her quick offense to the middle and great placement to the pins.
Skyler Pierce Skyler Pierce 6'3" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #4 Nation KS – OH – Adidas Dynasty
Like Headley, there are so many things Pierce does well for her Dynasty 16 Black team. We mentioned previously how with Cisneros and Pierce, a DS isn’t needed for their left pins. Her greatest growth has probably come in her passing and backcourt defense. We know she can fill up a score sheet but we have seen her tinker with some new shots this spring and bring more Power to her game. She is another player who will continue to be in the conversation for the best pin in the class of 2024.