KC Metro Power 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few weeks ago, I shared that my coverage is back to focusing exclusively on Missouri. That also meant the KC Metro [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 15 was no more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is still true, but now we have the KC Metro [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 8, focusing exclusively on Missouri programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 8 will cover the Kansas City area, stretching as far south as Belton and Raymore-Peculiar, east to Odessa, and north to St. Joseph.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, why only eight teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I covered both sides of the state line, the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 15 made sense. Typically, however, eight to ten of those teams were located in Kansas. With the focus now solely on Missouri, I decided to start with eight teams. That number could certainly grow in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to get this out before opening night, but we're a day late. Better late than never.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the inaugural KC Metro [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 8 to open the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Lee's Summit West (25-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans went 25-6 in 2025 and return plenty of production from a group that was made up largely of juniors and sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='446328' first='Tori' last='Massengill'] is back on the outside, while [player_tooltip player_id='729549' first='Jaelyn' last='Jordan'] returns to run the offense from the setter position. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='729510' first='Andi' last='Gardner'] is also back to anchor the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit West will also count on [player_tooltip player_id='815662' first='Lauren' last='Newbold'], [player_tooltip player_id='813767' first='Hallie' last='Ganga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='729590' first='Briley' last='Zerbe'] to play significant roles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans won't have to wait long for an early test, as they head to St. James' Slam this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. St. Michael the Archangel (32-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael went 32-7 last season and captured the Class 4 state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Guardians graduated a couple of major fixtures from that championship team, most notably four-year setter Addi MacLean. The biggest question entering the season will be whether freshman Charleigh Williams can step in and fill those significant shoes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If she can, she will have plenty of weapons around her, led by [player_tooltip player_id='732904' first='Jordan' last='Redd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan']. In the back row, [player_tooltip player_id='446327' first='Molly' last='Bokenkroger'] returns after establishing herself as one of the top liberos in the Kansas City area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Lee's Summit North (30-8)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be the team I'm most interested in watching early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos lost their primary scorer and a key defender from last year's team, but they return enough talent to remain a dangerous group. Lee's Summit North went 30-8 and reached the Class 5 state championship match in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='485632' first='Leighton' last='Benne'] returns at setter, although much of her club season was spent in the back row. She will have plenty of talent around her with [player_tooltip player_id='834151' first='Kenzie' last='Huhman'], [player_tooltip player_id='909872' first='Talia' last='Francis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='886202' first='Nylah' last='Rinard'] all returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The libero jersey is one of the bigger question marks entering the season, and something worth monitoring unless Benne ends up wearing it and a new setter emerges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Oak Grove (36-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could Oak Grove be higher? Absolutely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, I placed the Panthers here to start the season simply because they are a Class 3 program competing in a ranking that includes some of the area's larger schools. Make no mistake, though: Oak Grove has the talent to compete with anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a near-perfect 2025 season, the Panthers return plenty of high-[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']ed offense, starting with sisters [player_tooltip player_id='556998' first='Paisley' last='Hudson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='557372' first='Piper' last='Hudson']. The two combined for nearly 1,000 kills last season—988, to be exact. That's crazy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='485574' first='Eva' last='Alexander'] also returns after recording 200 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='883474' first='Emmy' last='Brown'] is back to run the offense in her sophomore season, while [player_tooltip player_id='909861' first='Ava' last='Chrisco'] returns after posting more than 300 digs as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove will look to make another deep run and capture the championship that escaped them in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Blue Springs (15-19)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats' record from a year ago may not jump off the page.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But that was last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at what Blue Springs returns, I like the pieces enough to place the Wildcats at No. 5 to begin the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='543378' first='Olivia' last='Maciel'] returns after producing more than 300 kills and nearly 300 assists. [player_tooltip player_id='834653' first='Laynie' last='White'] added more than 200 kills of her own, while [player_tooltip player_id='888983' first='Tessa' last='Stuart'] returns with a full year of varsity experience under her belt after a strong freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Callie Andes is another valuable piece, providing experience and versatility in the back row with her defense and passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Liberty North (16-16)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty North has some important pieces returning, and how quickly those pieces come together may tell the story of its season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='583726' first='Addison' last='Webb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='544735' first='Sophia' last='Sola'] return to lead the offense, while Khloe Russell was one of several players who handled significant responsibilities in the back row last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest question mark is at setter, where Webb and sophomore Cora Lesmasters could split time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If that happens, keep an eye on junior [player_tooltip player_id='778357' first='Ava' last='Stamps'] to take on an expanded role with the team this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Smithville (23-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors return their top three kill leaders from last fall, led by Jaycee Tyrell and her 249 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smithville also brings back its tandem of setters in [player_tooltip player_id='924291' first='Lexie' last='Seifert'] and Emma Swenson to continue running the team's 6-2 offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side, [player_tooltip player_id='808613' first='Elsie' last='Mitchell'] returns after leading the Warriors with 245 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that combination of returning offense, experience at setter and production in the back row, Smithville has the pieces to make another strong run in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Northland Christian (26-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More times than not, you'll see me show some love to a smaller school, and Northland Christian earns that spot to begin the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another Final Four run, the Trailblazers lose Molly Day but return numerous impact players capable of helping them make another postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mia Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='897295' first='Hadyn' last='Howie'] each recorded at least 235 kills last season, while [player_tooltip player_id='836940' first='Presley' last='Day'] added 145 of her own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='729548' first='Kinley' last='Carr'] returns to run the show from the setter position after recording more than 800 assists last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trailblazers may be one of the smaller programs in this ranking, but don't be surprised if they prove they belong with anyone in the metro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->