Champions Salute – Incarnate Word Academy 31-10-1

Ryan Johnson November 10, 2023 @ 10:11 AM

Incarnate Word stormed onto the Missouri Volleyball scene way back in 1976 winning the school's first volleyball title one year after the first state tournament was held. In 1982, the program took it to the next level. From 1982 to 1986 they would win 5 Class 3 state titles. In 1990 they would move up to Class 4 and finish 4th and 1991 2nd. More state titles in 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, and not another title until this season. This year is the 12th championship in program history moving them past Borgia into 2nd place behind Hermann for most championships won. They have played in 27 final fours with five runner-up finishes, six 3rd place, and four 4th place finishes. IWA holds the record for consecutive wins with 94 from 2003-2005, and 37 district titles.   The Red Knights started the season 4-4 with the 4 losses coming in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Tampa, FL. They lost to four nationally ranked teams in Keller, TX, Winter Park, FL, Osceola, FL, and St. Henry, KY. Twice they had runs of seven wins this year and only one team would take set from them during their run to the title.   They lose the program's all-time assist leader and libero but have enough returning to be a contender again if they stay in Class 4. If they get moved to Class 5 because of the championship factor the outlook for 2024 could be different. If they can be successful in replacing those two key positions, then they would be contenders in either class.   Key Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='169895' first='Tara' last='Greenberry'], [player_tooltip player_id='169896' first='Ellie' last='Witthaus'], [player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens'], Sydney Clark, and [player_tooltip player_id='245321' first='Cate' last='McCulloch'] will return to carry the offensive. [player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer'], Ally Fuchs, and Ella Von Almen will anchor the defense. The key factor will be replacing setter [player_tooltip player_id='124225' first='Sammi' last='Bergjans'] but it is Incarnate Word, and they usually just reload.

Incarnate Word stormed onto the Missouri Volleyball scene way back in 1976 winning the school's first volleyball title one year after the first state tournament was held. In 1982, the program took it to the next level. From 1982 to 1986 they would win 5 Class 3 state titles. In 1990 they would move up to Class 4 and finish 4^th and 1991 2^nd. More state titles in 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, and not another title until this season. This year is the 12^th championship in program history moving them past Borgia into 2^nd place behind Hermann for most championships won. They have played in 27 final fours with five runner-up finishes, six 3^rd place, and four 4^th place finishes. IWA holds the record for consecutive wins with 94 from 2003-2005, and 37 district titles.