More St. James Volleyball Slam Predictions

<p>Are you tired of reading about the St. James Volleyball Slam yet? Well, we hope not as this weekend is typically looked at as the kickoff for the high school volleyball season in the KC Metro. We are happy to add a new scout to the Prep Dig team, Marshall! Marshall has shared some previews and predictions for this weekend's slugfest prior to our connecting. Last year, Spectrum Sports' Shawn Beldin and yours truly had our own little pick 'em session going and it's only right we bring it back for an additional year! Let's quickly run down the games and our picks. I'm also certain without looking Shawn picked all Kansas teams, so Missouri you need to show up!</p>   <h2>Olathe East vs. Blue Valley</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Blue Valley</strong></p>   <p>JQ: <strong>Blue Valley</strong> behind the backcourt play of stud libero [player_tooltip player_id='150068' first='Ryan' last='McAleer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150070' first='Claire' last='Jones'], the defense will set the tone for the morning.</p>   <h2>#6 Lawrence Free State vs. #5 Blue Valley North</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Blue Valley North</strong></p>   <p>JQ: This is a very intriguing match-up with two teams ranked in my KC Metro Power 15. Both teams have really strong players on both sides of the net but <strong>will give the defending 6A state champs the slight edge</strong> behind [player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green']. Free State's [player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Sawyer' last='Thomsen'] will be a match-up problem. </p>   <h2>#4 Shawnee Mission Northwest vs. Blue Valley Northwest</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Blue Valley Northwest</strong></p>   <p>JQ: I am giving a lot of respect to SMNW to start the year as evidenced by their number 4 spot in the first power rankings. <strong>We expect them to back that ranking up</strong> against a good Blue Valley Northwest team if Liv Martin and [player_tooltip player_id='171295' first='Elinor' last='Engel'] get going. [player_tooltip player_id='122202' first='Alayna' last='Pearson'] will try to keep the floor clean in the backcourt. </p>   <h2>Lee's Summit West vs. #9 Blue Valley West</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Blue Valley West</strong></p>   <p>JQ: The Titans are replacing some key contributors from a year ago but return [player_tooltip player_id='179749' first='Ava' last='Anderson'] who came on strong in the month of October. Blue Valley West has the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='173372' first='Lily' last='Wedman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173371' first='Ella' last='Davidson'], add [player_tooltip player_id='173397' first='Allison' last='Heck'] who had a strong spring and <strong>I lean towards Blue Valley in the battle of the West.</strong></p>   <h2>#3 Liberty vs. #2 Olathe Northwest</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Olathe Northwest</strong></p>   <p>JQ: It's time for Missouri to stand up! This is one of those matchups! Both teams are loaded as they are our #2 and #3. The middle play will be the difference in my eyes with [player_tooltip player_id='102558' first='Grace' last='Toney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='119222' first='Aisha' last='Aiona'] for <strong>Liberty and they are my pick as Missouri gets on the board. </strong></p>   <h2>#12 St. Teresa's Academy vs. #8 Bishop Miege</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Bishop Miege</strong></p>   <p>JQ: This is a tough pick. I was leaning towards going the experience of [player_tooltip player_id='123468' first='Brynne' last='McGhie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='101697' first='Reagan' last='Fox'] over that of [player_tooltip player_id='152166' first='Ali' last='Olson']. However, we really like the [player_tooltip player_id='119689' first='Ava' last='Martin'] to [player_tooltip player_id='173376' first='Lauren' last='Lopez'] connection and <strong>will ride with Bishop Miege</strong>. </p>   <h2>Washburn Rural vs. #1. St. Thomas Aquinas</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>Washburn Rural</strong></p>   <p>JQ: Washburn Rural didn't lose a game until state last year and returned many of those pieces. [player_tooltip player_id='120008' first='Brooklyn' last='DeLeye'] is a star. [player_tooltip player_id='201027' first='Jada' last='Ingram'] and [player_tooltip player_id='120044' first='Taylor' last='Russell'] are great resources to have on your team. But I think Aquinas is deeper all the way around with [player_tooltip player_id='153937' first='Alea' last='Goolsby'], Betsey Goodenow, and [player_tooltip player_id='119691' first='Kelsey' last='Schenck']. <strong>Our #1 team in the KC Metro Power Rankings passes the test</strong>. </p>   <h2>#7 Lansing vs. #10 St. James Academy</h2>   <p>SS: <strong>St. James Academy</strong></p>   <p>JQ: The host team is the final match of the day. Lansing has a lot of youth. St. James does too but they also played many sets a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'] is that one. Along with [player_tooltip player_id='119718' first='Ava' last='Spachek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150067' first='Heidi' last='Devers'], <strong>the Thunder gets it done</strong> in the "ranking" upset. </p>

Are you tired of reading about the St. James Volleyball Slam yet? Well, we hope not as this weekend is typically looked at as the kickoff for the high school volleyball season in the KC Metro. We are happy to add a new scout to the Prep Dig team, Marshall! Marshall has shared some previews and predictions for this weekend's slugfest prior to our connecting. Last year, Spectrum Sports' Shawn Beldin and yours truly had our own little pick 'em session going and it's only right we bring it back for an additional year! Let's quickly run down the games and our picks. I'm also certain without looking Shawn picked all Kansas teams, so Missouri you need to show up!