Players to watch at St James Volleyball Slam (Afternoon Wave)
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We will venture into the afternoon matches (bolded in the schedule below). This is to ensure that each team and player a more dedicated coverage and preview. We continue with the 2:00 PM match with Olathe Northwest against Liberty High…
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Continue ReadingWe will venture into the afternoon matches (bolded in the schedule below). This is to ensure that each team and player a more dedicated coverage and preview. We continue with the 2:00 PM match with Olathe Northwest against Liberty High School (Missouri).
Slated Schedule for Saturday, August 27th:
- 8:00 AM || Olathe East (6A) vs Blue Valley (6A)
- 9:30 AM || Lawrence Free State (T5 6A) vs Blue Valley North (1st 6A)
- 11:00 AM || Shawnee Mission Northwest (T5 6A) vs Blue Valley Northwest (6A)
- 12:30 PM || Lee’s Summit West (MO) vs Blue Valley West (2nd 6A)
- 2:00 PM || Olathe Northwest (3rd 6A) vs Liberty (MO)
- 3:30 PM || Bishop Miege (3rd 4A) vs St. Teresa’s Academy (MO)
- 5:00 PM || Washburn Rural (4th 6A) vs Saint Thomas Aquinas (3rd 5A)
- 6:30 PM || Lansing (1st 5A) vs St. James Academy (2nd 5A)
Olathe Northwest vs Liberty (MO)
This match is my wildcard match of the day that’s worth its price of admission.
Olathe Northwest returns a strong core of players both offensively and defensively. Junior Skyler Pierce Skyler Pierce 6'3" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #4 Nation KS (Nebraska commit) is the number one player in Kansas and the country. Add in Junior Jillian Huckabey Jillian Huckabey 6'0" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #74 Nation KS to the mix and the duo will be tough to contain. The Ravens’ offense is not done yet and return Junior Lauren Roediger Lauren Roediger 6'2" | MB Olathe Northwest | 2024 State KS in the middle. On top of that, the backcourt is heavily defended by Junior Emmy Sher Emmy Sher 5'8" | DS/L Olathe Northwest | 2024 State KS and Sophomore Alex Klukvin Alex Klukvin 5'7" | DS/L Olathe Northwest | 2025 State KS . Sher, Klukvin, and Pierce/Huckabey in serve-receive formation? Good luck finding a hole to serve against them. In short, Olathe Northwest is a heavy favorite to return to State this season.
Our friend up north at Liberty (Missouri) isn’t too shabby either with the Mullen sisters, Senior Ashley and Sophomore Abigail. Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO , committed to UCLA, will run the offense as Liberty’s setter while “Gail” plays a 6 rotation opposite. Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO was a part of the U.S. Girls U19 Team, capturing the gold medal at the Pan American Cup in late July. The sisters and Liberty Lady Jays are complimented with Brooklyn Young Brooklyn Young 6'0" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO (Central Missouri commit) and Jocelyn Renfro Jocelyn Renfro 5'9" | OH Liberty | 2023 State MO as their pin hitters, while Grace Toney Grace Toney 5'11" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO is in the middle position.
Prediction: Olathe Northwest
Bishop Miege vs St Teresa’s Academy (MO)
Bishop Miege will rely on Ali Olson Ali Olson 6'0" | MB Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS to be the leader this season. The Senior middle blocker is their go-to player and the ball will find its way to Olson wherever she is on the court. Sophomore Lauren Lopez Lauren Lopez 5'10" | OH Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS is a key integral for Miege to be successful this season. Lopez, no stranger to high-level play as a solid 6 rotation outside, can hammer the ball, be smart and crafty in shot selection, and make a big-time defensive play. To complement the offense, Junior Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS will return as setter while Junior Gabby Anderson will defend the backcourt as the libero. Martin is the glue to the team and will be utilized as an offensive weapon in the front row. Anderson is hoping to improve the Lady Stags receiving number with her calm and consistent platform.
St. Teresa’s Academy returns a good core this season. Senior setter Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO is back to lead the offense alongside Senior pin hitter Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO . McGhie (Pepperdine commit) uses her intelligence to make intelligent and effective decisions on the court. Fox (Rutgers commit) will be an impact player for the Stars. She has a great athletic frame and a high volleyball IQ, allowing her to play consistently at a high level. Junior Piper Newton Piper Newton 5'11" | MB St. Teresa's | 2024 State MO and Margot Randall will pester opponent’s hitters with block touches in the front row. Both are athletic middles who work hard to get available in transition. Senior Liliana Saxe returns as the libero with additional back row coverage in Senior Isabella Stockwood and Marykate Roder. Sophomore Isabel Glover Isabel Glover 6'1" | MB St. Teresa's | 2025 State MO was the only freshman contributing consistently as a middle and right side. “Isa” will transition to the right side to provide solid blocking and offensive options. Some key elements to watch for the Stars will be new faces in Sophomore pin hitter Madeline Sallee Madeline Sallee 5'10" | RS St. Teresa's | 2025 State MO and three incoming Freshmen in Winifred Sprague (middle/pin), Elizabeth Scanlon (pin), and Lily Stuart (setter).
Prediction: St Teresa’s Academy
Washburn Rural vs Saint Thomas Aquinas
Washburn Rural will return its top player in Brooklyn DeLeye Brooklyn DeLeye 6'2" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State #30 Nation KS , a Kentucky volleyball commit, Gatorade Kansas Volleyball Player of the Year, and Kansas 6A Player of The Year, just to name a few accolades. DeLeye is like a magnet to the ball, finding its way to her wherever she is on the court. Rural also returns both Taylor Russell Taylor Russell 6'0" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS and Jada Ingram Jada Ingram 5'11" | MB Washburn Rural | 2024 State #61 Nation KS from their All-State selection. Junior Zoe Canfield Zoe Canfield 5'9" | S Washburn Rural | 2024 State KS returns as a setter while recording 439 assists and 53 service aces for the team last season.
Saint Thomas Aquinas returns 7 players for the 2022 season. Loaded with next-level players, Aquinas is looking to 4-year varsity player Betsy Goodenow Betsy Goodenow 6'0" | RS St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State #92 Nation KS (Yale commit) to put up a blocking clinic this upcoming season. Senior Libero Reagan Anderson Reagan Anderson 5'3" | DS/L St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State KS (Wichita State commit) will be the defensive anchor for the Saints. Junior Tatum Grimes Tatum Grimes 6'2" | MB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State #184 Nation KS and Senior Ashlyn Reeves Ashlyn Reeves 6'2" | MB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State KS will continue to be Aquinas’ go-to players in the middle. Sophomore Alea Goolsby Alea Goolsby 5'11" | OH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State #36 Nation KS is back to the left pin. Watch for Goolsby to jump out of the building having a jump reach of over 10 feet! With all the firepower in their offense, it’s always good to have your setter back into the lineup in Kelsey Schenck Kelsey Schenck 5'11" | S St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State KS . Schenck is a smart decision-maker and floor general for the Saints. Be on the lookout for incoming Freshman Alayna Vaeth to contribute to Aquinas’ success in some way.
Prediction: Saint Thomas Aquinas
Lansing vs St. James Academy
The main event is a rematch of the Kansas 5A 2021 State Finals and will have a different look this upcoming Saturday. Lansing lost 8 Seniors while St James 3. Senior Skylar Weaver Skylar Weaver 5'8" | OH Lansing | 2023 State KS will have a dominant role in defending their state title as a 6-rotation outside hitter. Weaver is a 2-time All-State and 2-time All-League Player for the Lady Lions and will look to her leadership as the most experienced player in the squad. Anna Laincz Anna Laincz 5'10" | OH Lansing | 2024 State KS returns to the starting lineup as well, with her position yet to be determined. Laincz played as Opposite in the last two years for Lansing and may switch to the left pin to compliment Weaver.
St James will have their squad ready with a slew of varsity returners. Junior outside hitter Ava Spachek Ava Spachek 5'11" | OH St. James Academy | 2024 State KS , a 3rd-year Varsity player, is a dynamic athlete and a high flyer with a fast arm. Sophomore “Setter” Sensation Reese Messer Reese Messer 5'11" | S St. James | 2025 State #6 Nation KS , arguably the best setter in the 2025 class, will run the offense for the Lady Thunders with her crafty tempo sets. St James will have no issues passing the ball as they return four DS to their varsity lineup. Mya Bolton Mya Bolton 5'3" | DS/L St. James Academy | 2024 State #134 Nation KS , played as a libero last year, led in digs with over 500 for the season, and Heidi Devers Heidi Devers 5'4" | DS/L St. James | 2024 State KS (Kansas commit) is a huge compliment coming in as a DS. Junior Julia Headley Julia Headley 6'2" | MB St. James | 2024 State #103 Nation KS will join the varsity squad and will make an immediate impact as one of SJA’s go-to players on the court.
Prediction: St James Academy
Looking for the earlier matches preview? Follow the link to St James Volleyball Slam (morning wave).
**Revision for Blue Valley volleyball team: Senior Kate Peterson is committed to NC State to continue her athletic career after high school. Senior Tiana Simmons and Kaitlyn Stout Kaitlyn Stout 5'11" | RS Blue Valley | 2023 State KS (both committed to Emporia State) will be huge contributing to Blue Valley’s offense while Brooklyn Farris Brooklyn Farris OH Blue Valley | 2023 State KS will be the X-Factor for the Lady Tigers. Senior Caitlyn Cobb Caitlyn Cobb 5'6" | DS/L Blue Valley | 2023 State KS decided to forego her Senior year due to previous injury.
A short history behind St James Volleyball Slam is that women’s sports were not given any attention, let alone media coverage. St. James Academy’s Head Coach Nancy Dorsey was persistent to create a change in this scenario, met with community leaders and media outlets to create this wonderful event for girls volleyball. The 13th annual “Volleyball Slam” televised event has grown from one match, to two matches to now having 8 matches and 16 teams highlighted at the event.