St James Volleyball Slam Morning "Game Changers"

The first official weekend of volleyball kicks off with the St. James Volleyball Slam if you are in the KC Metro area. The 13th annual competition brings big-time schools and big-time players. The man behind the lens captured a different perspective from the first four matches (Morning Wave).   My "Game Changers" will be a series of 1-3 players I thought were key contributors for their respective teams during their particular match or tournament. It is not cumulative throughout the season or previous accolades.    [player_tooltip player_id='172451' first='Chloe' last='Tyrrell'] - OH - 2024 - Olathe East   Almost every ball goes through Tyrrell during the match against Blue Valley. Whether in serve receive or coming with a swing, East's offense relied heavily on the Junior pin hitter.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-style-default"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1255-Chloe-Tyrrell-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221766" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='219713' first='Kate' last='Wright'] - L - 2025 - Olathe East   Wright dons the libero jersey for the first time for East. She goes for every ball and even had a great one-handed dig on a chase ball. Put her on your Sophomore watch list this season.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1243-Kate-Wright-300x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221767" /></figure>   Karli Perell - S - 2025 - Olathe East   Perell's playing-making ability as a setter was evident in the morning match. She was able to get her feet to the spot and hand set the majority of the balls, creating better opportunities for her hitters than lobbing an out-of-system ball to the pins.   [player_tooltip player_id='150068' first='Ryan' last='McAleer'] - L - 2023 - Blue Valley   McAleer controlled the backcourt with poise. Her speed, control, and energy make everything looks easy being the libero. She tracked down a lot of balls and kept plays alive with her athleticism.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1249-Ryan-McAleer-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221794" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='152172' first='Julia' last='Kinney'] - OH - 2023 - Blue Valley   Kinney can do it all as a pin with her shot-making capabilities. The Senior hitter makes it easy with her cross-body swings with pin-point accuracy to get it done offensively.   Kate Peterson - S - 2023 - Blue Valley   Peterson was a huge playmaker as a setter. She distributed the ball to all her hitters efficiently as well as being a solid right side in a 5-1 offense.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1233-Kate-Peterson-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221793" /></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Sawyer' last='Thomsen'] - MB - 2023 - Lawrence Free State   Thomsen was spectacular in the contest against Blue Valley North. The 6'2" MB did it all in the middle defensively and offensively. Thomsen ran more than a handful of slides to keep the Firebirds' offense going.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1294-Sawyer-Thomsen-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221768" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='120033' first='Rylee' last='Unruh'] - S - 2023 - Lawrence Free State   Unruh's on-court leadership and experience shined on Saturday. She was able to see the court setting up her hitters and being intelligent in changing the tempo on a few dumps and two-touch overs.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1324-Rylee-Unruh-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221770" /></figure>   Myla Nover-Estes - OH - 2023 Lawrence Free State   Nover-Estes is deserving of props for her plays defensively and offensively. Her calm demeanor on the passing platform translates to Free State's offense running smoothly. She's dependable on the left pin using her pass-to-attack transition game.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1349-Myla-Norver-Estes-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221771" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green'] - Pin/S - 2024 - Blue Valley North   Green can do it all: setting, passing, hitting on the left and right pins. Her primary role is to set the offense in an intriguing 6-2 lineup. There are so many weapons on the team that Green is part of. She showed her athleticism with her sets and got some block touches in the front row.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1396-Janelle-Green-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221783" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks'] - Pin/S - 2025 - Blue Valley North   Parks is Green's partner in crime for Blue Valley North's squad. As a hitter, Parks can hit wherever she is needed and was obliterating balls for kills. She was dangerous on the serving line as one of the few players in the country to bring jump top-spin serves consistently. Parks was also utilized in the 6-2 offense and provided consistent sets to all North's attacking options.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1405-Logan-Parks-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221784" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='173384' first='Jenna' last='McClure'] - OH - 2026 - Blue Valley North   Playing as a 6-rotation outside, McClure hit smart shots for the Mustangs and was a consistent passer during serve receive. McClure was often utilized as a back row attacking option during out of system plays.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1279-Jenna-McClure-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221782" width="200" height="300" /></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='120038' first='Tori' last='Creason'] - S - 2023 - Shawnee Mission Northwest   Creason utilized her setting prowess and set to all of her hitters. She fed middle Liv Martin when necessary; those two are making a deadly combo for SMNW. She's a quick athlete who get balls up defensively and put consistent sets to her pins.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1429-Tori-Creason-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221764" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='150072' first='Olivia' last='Martin'] - MB - 2024 - Shawnee Mission Northwest   Martin was the go-to hitter for the Lady Cougars. Whenever they got in trouble, Martin was quick to transition and able to run 3's for Creason to set. Her ability to block with her pins created offensive chaos for the opposition.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1419-Olivia-Martin-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221763" width="200" height="300" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='222085' first='Julia' last='Anisimova'] - OH - 2026 - Shawnee Mission Northwest   Anisimova fits right in with the Lady Cougars, making immediate impact as a freshman. Anisimova was not afraid to take a few hard swings in the match and provided solid platform on the receiving game.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1512-Julia-Anisimova-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221765" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='219709' first='Summer' last='Anderson'] - DS - 2025 - Blue Valley Northwest   It's difficult to shine as a defensive player when you have [player_tooltip player_id='122202' first='Alayna' last='Pearson'] (Texas A&M commit) as your libero. Anderson showed otherwise. The sophomore transfer from Blue Valley West provided much needed points with her tough serving and extra defensive cushion, making great defensive plays and receiving game.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1426-Summer-Anderson-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221790" width="200" height="300" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='221225' first='Lainie' last='Douglas'] - OH - 2024 - Blue Valley Northwest   If Shaquille O'Neal is famous for breaking basketball rims, then Douglas is the equivalent for volleyball in raw power. Douglas hit the ball so hard that the antennae got knocked off its holder. The 6'3" outside hitter will be dangerous to contain this season as she gets her timing down from last year's injury.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1453-Lainie-Douglas-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221792" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='219710' first='Marly' last='Burbach'] - S - 2025 - Blue Valley Northwest   Burbach was cool, calm, and collected running the 5-1 offense for Blue Valley Northwest. She was smart on her set decisions and fed the hot arms of her hitters.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1451-Marly-Burbach-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221791" /></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='173372' first='Lily' last='Wedman'] - S - 2025 - Blue Valley West   Wedman continued her role from last year and showed why the Lady Jags run a 5-1 offense through her. Her ability to change the flow on her sets kept the opposing defense guessing. Her hops were on display Saturday as she provided critical blocks throughout the match.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1623-Lily-Wedman-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221754" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='173371' first='Ella' last='Davidson'] - OH - 2025 - Blue Valley West   In case you didn't know, Davidson switched positions this year from middle to outside hitter. The slower tempo sets to the outside will be an adjustment for Davidson, but it did not look like a problem. Few middles can transition quickly in the passing game, and Davidson's is already equivalent to her defensive counterpart.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1628-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221739" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='222087' first='Carlie' last='Pandjaris'] - OH - 2026 - Blue Valley West   The freshman outside hitter played confidently and was one of the most electrifying players on the court. She was not afraid to use her power on the serving line and was smart to change up her shot strength during the match.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1622-Carlie-P-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221753" /></figure>   Aubrey Kohl - S - 2023 - Lee's Summit West (MO)   The first thing I noticed about Kohl's sets were her quick release. As the match went on, Kohl's sets were BUTTER all day. Expect Kohl to run the 5-1 offense this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='493090' first='Kamryn' last='McDonald'] - OH - 2025 - Lee's Summit West (MO)   McDonald was efficient in the front row and provided the blocking need for LSW's team. Her court awareness was on point when she had to fight off some tight balls against the opposing's right side player. She was consistent creating offensive opportunities on the left pin.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1630-Kamryn-M-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221755" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='179749' first='Ava' last='Anderson'] - MB - 2024 - Lee's Summit West (MO)   Anderson will be one of Titans' "Game Changer" this season. She had some great hits in the middle and provided some big-time blocks. It's awesome to see the team gets pumped up behind Anderson's big blocks in the match.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Marshall_SJA_Slam2022-1578-Ava-Anderson-200x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-221756" /></figure>

The first official weekend of volleyball kicks off with the St. James Volleyball Slam if you are in the KC Metro area. The 13^th annual competition brings big-time schools and big-time players. The man behind the lens captured a different perspective from the first four matches (Morning Wave).