Checking In Around the State

As the volleyball season unfolds, teams across the state are battling it out for glory, and several squads are making waves in their respective classes. From the resilient Ellington Whippets, who are eager to capture their first district title in decades, to the Fatima Comets, determined to reclaim their former glory. The Helias Crusaders are poised for a deep playoff run with their sights set on the Final Four, while the Camdenton Lakers aim to break new ground and secure a district title they haven't seen since 2020. Meanwhile, the Lee's Summit North Broncos are surprising everyone with their strong performance and ambition to reach the Final Four for the first time. Join us as we wander around the state to explore each team's journey, challenges, and aspirations as they strive for success on the court.   Ellington Whippets 15-3-1   The Ellington Whippets have kicked off their season with impressive momentum, boasting a record of 15 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie. Their three losses have come against the top teams in Class 1—Bismarck (18-25, 19-25, 15-25) and Winona (16-25, 14-25, 15-25)—as well as a close match against Class 2 Portageville (27-25, 22-25, 17-25).   As the top seed in the upcoming Black River League Conference Tournament, the Whippets are poised to capture their first title in decades. Key offensive players include [player_tooltip player_id='828319' first='Megan' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='830286' first='Bella' last='Pogue'], and Lilyanah Tisdale, who together have accounted for 445 of the team's 551 total kills. [player_tooltip player_id='735566' first='Tayleigh' last='Cowin'] is orchestrating the offense with an impressive 446 assists.   Notable victories this season include a 3-1 win over Lesterville, a team that eliminated the Whippets in last year's district semifinals, marking a significant turnaround. Looking ahead, the Houston Tournament presents a formidable challenge next month. Still, with the only winning record in their district, Ellington is expected to be the top seed and aims for their first district title since 1991.   Fatima Comets 15-2   The Fatima Comets are back with a vengeance, eager to prove themselves after several years of rebuilding. It's been since 2020 that the Comets have celebrated a winning season, and their last district title dates back to 2019. Their most recent trip to the Final Four was in 2014, making this season particularly significant.   So far, the Comets have faced tough competition, suffering losses to Helias (0-3)and Hermann (24-26, 24-26, 23-25), with the latter match highlighting their potential rivalry; Fatima and Hermann could meet in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Aside from these matches, the only close call for Fatima came in a 3-2 victory against Boonville.   Next month promises several big matches against Jefferson City, Sullivan, Blair Oaks, California, and Borgia, which will be pivotal for their momentum. Leading the charge is 5'11” middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='828140' first='Alayna' last='Backes'], who tops the team with 190 kills, 31 blocks, and 132 digs. Additionally, Lily Kempker is the assist leader with 881 career assists and is on track to surpass the 1,000-career-assists mark in the upcoming tournament.   Helias Crusaders 17-1-1   The Helias Crusaders faced their first loss of the season in a sweep against Borgia. However, this setback comes with an opportunity, as the team benefits from the Championship Factor implemented by MSHSAA, allowing them to drop from Class 5 to Class 3 this year. With high expectations, the Crusaders aim for a strong push to reach the Class 3 Final Four in St. Joseph. Aside from the loss to Borgia, Helias has dominated its season, including a 2-1 victory over Strafford and a solid win against Class 5 Nixa (3-1). Upcoming district battles with Blair Oaks, California, and Eldon next month will play a crucial role in determining the district seeds.   Setters [player_tooltip player_id='357621' first='Sydney' last='Suthoff'] and Zoey Hake orchestrate a dynamic offense, featuring five different players with over 70 kills each. Key attackers [player_tooltip player_id='808236' first='Kambell' last='Winegar'], Addyson Scherr, and Zoey Hake are eager to lead the Crusaders back to the Final Four. Notably, Helias has maintained an impressive average of 29 wins per season since 2009!   Camdenton Lakers 13-3-3   The Camdenton Lakers are determined to achieve something they haven't accomplished since 2020: winning a district title. With Class 4 districts now featuring eight teams each, the path is more competitive. However, the silver lining is that winning the district only requires one additional victory to reach the Final Four. Although Camdenton has never made it to a Final Four, this could be their year, especially with only two other teams in their district boasting double-digit wins. Their losses to West Plains, Helias, and Willard are considered respectable, keeping their spirits high. Upcoming matches against Jefferson City, Osage, and Rogersville will provide better insight into the team's toughness and readiness for the challenges ahead.   [player_tooltip player_id='232324' first='Bella' last='Asante'] leads the team in hitting percentage, blocks, and assists, with a total of 342 assists, while also ranking second in aces. Alongside her, Madison Sykora and Macy Mellencamp are key hitters, forming a strong offensive trio.   A crucial factor for Camdenton will be securing a victory against Jefferson City to clinch the top seed in districts. This positioning is vital to avoid a potential #2 versus #3 matchup, which could complicate their pursuit of the district title.   Lee's Summit North Broncos 16-4   The Lee's Summit North Broncos have surprised many by emerging as a contender among the top teams in Class 5. Despite not winning a district title since the 2009 season and never having advanced to a Final Four, the Broncos are determined to change that this year. The road to the district title will be challenging, as they face tough competition from #1 Lee's Summit West, Fort Osage, and Blue Springs. Their four losses have come against strong opponents: Lafayette, Blue Valley West (KS), Park Hill South, and their district rival Lee's Summit West, in a hard-fought match that ended 26-28, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, and 7-15.   Next up is the Lee's Summit North Tournament, where they'll take on the currently undefeated Ozark, followed by matches against two formidable Class 4 teams, St. Michael and Belton. A highly anticipated rematch against Lee's Summit West is scheduled for October 16.   The Benne sisters are key players leading the charge, with [player_tooltip player_id='220462' first='Madilynn' last='Benne'] topping the team in digs with 232. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='485632' first='Leighton' last='Benne'] orchestrates the offense with an impressive 494 assists. The contributions of 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='834151' first='Kenzie' last='Huhman'] and 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='886202' first='Nylah' last='Rinard'] have also been pivotal, as both rank among the top three in kills and digs, elevating the team's performance as they strive for a Final Four appearance.

As the volleyball season unfolds, teams across the state are battling it out for glory, and several squads are making waves in their respective classes. From the resilient Ellington Whippets, who are eager to capture their first district title in decades, to the Fatima Comets, determined to reclaim their former glory. The Helias Crusaders are poised for a deep playoff run with their sights set on the Final Four, while the Camdenton Lakers aim to break new ground and secure a district title they haven't seen since 2020. Meanwhile, the Lee's Summit North Broncos are surprising everyone with their strong performance and ambition to reach the Final Four for the first time. Join us as we wander around the state to explore each team's journey, challenges, and aspirations as they strive for success on the court.