Mo-Kan Challenge Volleyball Invitational Preview
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Bragging right is on the line for teams in the KC Metro area as we head into the Missouri-Kansas (Mo-Kan) Challenge hosted by Lee’s Summit West on September 17th. The pools contain State contenders, big-time playmakers, and must-watch matches. It…
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Continue ReadingBragging right is on the line for teams in the KC Metro area as we head into the Missouri-Kansas (Mo-Kan) Challenge hosted by Lee’s Summit West on September 17th. The pools contain State contenders, big-time playmakers, and must-watch matches. It does not matter what classification you fall under; this is the early-season tournament you want to be in this weekend. Which state will take the crown in the Mo-Kan Challenge?
Navy Pool (Fieldhouse #1)
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Pool Winner
Lee’s Summit – 2nd
Bishop Miege – 3rd
Blue Springs – 4th
Betsy Goodenow Betsy Goodenow 6'0" | RS St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State #92 Nation KS and company will take care of business in pool play for a first-place finish. Ashlyn Bellamy Ashlyn Bellamy 6'1" | OH Lee's Summit | 2023 State MO will keep Lee’s Summit in the hunt with a second-place finish in pool play.
Blue Pool (AUX South Gym)
Olathe Northwest – Pool Winner
Lee’s Summit West – 3rd
St. Teresa’s Academy – 2nd
Carthage – 4th
Skyler Pierce Skyler Pierce 6'3" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #4 Nation KS reached triple-digit kills for the season (107 by the time this was published). The junior outside hitter will lead ONW on to the playoffs. St. Teresa’s riding the high of beating the number one team in Missouri (Lafayette from Wildwood) last weekend in their pocket. Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO and Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO will lead the Stars to take second in pool play.
Silver Pool (Fieldhouse #2)
Liberty – Pool Winner
Blue Valley – 2nd
Shawnee Mission Northwest – 3rd
Park Hill South – 4th
It seems like a battle for second place with Liberty in the pool. The Mullen sisters are on a tear this season for the Bluejays. Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO is surgical running the offense and has the accolades to prove it (Mullen won KSA’s tournament MVP in Florida earlier this season). Blue Valley will take second behind Kate Peterson’s leadership. Side note, Park Hill South’s Isabel Day Isabel Day 5'9" | DS/L Park Hill South | 2023 State MO is out after an injury this week against Liberty.
White Pool (AUX North Gym)
Lawrence Free State – 3rd
Liberty North – Pool Winner
Blue Valley West – 2nd
Blue Springs South – 4th
Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO will carry Liberty North on her shoulders as the team lead hitter. Blue Valley West’s balanced offense will squeak by the morning pool play.
Quarterfinals (2:40 PM)
Aquinas vs. Blue Valley
Aquinas defeated Blue Valley in Tuesday’s conference match and will repeat with a 2-0 win.
Liberty North vs. St. Teresa’s
The Eagle’s defense will be tough to score against with the Christian sisters ( Emma Christian Emma Christian 5'8" | S Liberty North | 2025 State MO and Abby Christian) in the lineup. Liberty North will have the upper hand in receiving and defensive end as they take the match 2-0.
Olathe Northwest vs. Blue Valley West
The more experienced Olathe Northwest’s squad will have a slight edge in the match. Lily Wedman Lily Wedman 5'8" | S Blue Valley West | 2025 State KS and Blue Valley West will keep it interesting to force a 3-setter. The Ravens win 2-1 to move on.
Liberty vs. Lee’s Summit
The Bluejays will depend on Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO ‘s arm to continue their run in the playoffs. Liberty takes the match 2-0.
Semifinals (4:00 PM)
Aquinas vs. Liberty North
Alea Goolsby Alea Goolsby 5'11" | OH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State #36 Nation KS turns it up and will run intricate plays to change up the offense for Aquinas. Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO will be tough to contain and keep Liberty North in the hunt. Aquinas wins 2-1 in a back-and-forth match.
Olathe Northwest vs. Liberty
The rematch from St. James Slam will be worth the wait. Northwest’s Jillian Huckabey Jillian Huckabey 6'0" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #74 Nation KS and Lauren Rodinger will try to slow the offensive power of The Bluejays. Liberty’s options for Aisha Aiono and Jocelyn Renfro Jocelyn Renfro 5'9" | OH Liberty | 2023 State MO will be too much. Liberty wins 2-1 in another classic matchup.
Championship (5:00 PM)
Aquinas vs Liberty
Liberty Bluejays will continue its winning streak with another tournament championship. Hand-in-hand, both teams are similar in strengths. Aquinas’s dependency on southpaw Betsy Goodenow Betsy Goodenow 6'0" | RS St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State #92 Nation KS and Alea Goolsby Alea Goolsby 5'11" | OH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State #36 Nation KS is not enough to dethrone the unbeaten Liberty squad. From the matches I watched, Aquinas switching DS position in Sophia Bond Sophia Bond 5'7" | DS/L St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State KS and Allie Puetz Allie Puetz 5'7" | DS/L State MO creates too many changes in game momentum. Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO and Liberty have too much firepower in their offensive attacks on Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO , Aisha Aiono, Jocelyn Renfro Jocelyn Renfro 5'9" | OH Liberty | 2023 State MO , and Brooklyn Young Brooklyn Young 6'0" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO . Liberty wins in a sweep.
Missouri takes the bragging right this season from the Mo-Kan Challenge.