17s Teams of the Show Me State: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are starting our breakdown of some of the teams in the state of Missouri and we will begin with the 17s. The classes of 2024 and 2025 are a talented bunch and fill up most of the rosters of the teams we will provide a little insight into. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been following this team since their 15s season and they are one of the more dynamic teams across the country. We don't know where to start so how about the tandem of Morgan Dumm and [player_tooltip player_id='124219' first='Alyssa' last='Nelson'] at the setter position? They do an excellent job of setting the offense's pace and are capable of leading a team. Nelson will be heading to Villanova. There's no secret, [player_tooltip player_id='124215' first='Olivia' last='Hasbrook'] (Ohio State) is one of the premier defenders in the class. She covers space at an unbelievable range. The team has no shortage of pins led by Northern Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='124222' first='Allison' last='Risley'], All-State performer [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'], Missouri pledge [player_tooltip player_id='124216' first='Claire' last='Morrissey'], and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Navy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second team in the Rockwood 17 family is the Navy squad and they are a team to keep an eye on this club season. They had a strong showing at the Gateway [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League, getting to the gold bracket and dropping only one match on the final day. In similar with the Elite team, this team also features a duo of solid setters in [player_tooltip player_id='150039' first='Claire' last='Fulton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150043' first='Sophia' last='Gagnepain']. This team has an abundance of pins to feed the ball to with [player_tooltip player_id='136738' first='Emma' last='Hoing'] and [player_tooltip player_id='311935' first='Sydney' last='Davis'], two players who can also defend and take swings from the back row. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='191664' first='Addie' last='Normile'] had a strong 2022 and looks to replicate her play in 2023. Opposite [player_tooltip player_id='184059' first='Jayden' last='Wiese'] returns and provides a scoring threat. [player_tooltip player_id='207278' first='Kristen' last='Hendricks'] impressed early this season with her quickness in the middle, specifically in front of the setter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>HPSTL 17 Royal</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High Performance 17 Royal looks very familiar returning a lot of faces from a year ago. We may as well keep the streak going by starting with setter [player_tooltip player_id='124225' first='Sammi' last='Bergjans']. She has been one of the top setters in the state in this age group and expects this year to be no different. [player_tooltip player_id='187840' first='Kalei' last='Edson'] is the other setter on the roster who has looked good early this year. OH [player_tooltip player_id='150037' first='Grace' last='Killion'] is back. She is a player who can do it all from pass, defend, serve, and can score on the pins and behind the 10-foot line. Opposite [player_tooltip player_id='124849' first='Nadia' last='Wasilewski'] is a strong defender and can swing from either pin. In the middle, look for 6'2" Kayla Jensen and 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='207584' first='Kailey' last='McGhee'] to contribute and use their length. [player_tooltip player_id='150035' first='Audrey' last='Small'] and [player_tooltip player_id='124224' first='Anna' last='Moore'] return to help anchor the defense behind the block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Missouri Jrs. 17 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Central Missouri squad can't sneak up on anyone this year after a strong 2022 and an impressive performance in the Gateway [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League. This team features two-time state champion and all-state honoree [player_tooltip player_id='124226' first='Autumn' last='Bax']. High School teammate [player_tooltip player_id='150054' first='Bailey' last='Braun'] will be a key component of this team. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='150051' first='Hannah' last='Vogt'] will be one of the players looking to get the ball to these dynamic players. [player_tooltip player_id='124227' first='Izzy' last='Herrbold'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150053' first='Ava' last='Reeser'] are back to help keep the offense flowing with solid defensive play. Another Isabella in Kincaid is a player who can fill up the stat sheet after earning all-state this fall. And let us not forget about [player_tooltip player_id='349615' first='Kylee' last='Richey'] who was dynamic last season in this team's nationals run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Invasion 17 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Invasion 17 Black will be an intriguing team in 2023. They have strong players in each position and if they put it all together, can make a run toward a national berth. [player_tooltip player_id='168899' first='Abygail' last='Widhalm'] will be key in how far this team can go after a big year for state finalist Pleasant Hill this past fall. On the pin, [player_tooltip player_id='183944' first='Brooke' last='Boyer'] had a breakout season for Lee's Summit and will be counted on to score points. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id='124855' first='Lily' last='Vanbebber'] tallied just under 300 kills during the high school season and will be counted on to provide fire[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']. [player_tooltip player_id='216434' first='Macy' last='Bartlett'] was one of the breakout players this fall and definitely got our attention holding down the libero position for a 35-3 Liberty team. [player_tooltip player_id='216455' first='Sophia' last='Saxton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216454' first='Madison' last='Roney'] both are listed as setters for this squad. Saxton set Notre Dame De Sion this fall, while Roney was a key defender for St. Teresa's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->