2020-2021 Year in Review: Top 8 Missouri Stories

We kicked off our year in review focusing on stories that crossed over between Missouri and Kansas. There are numerous great moments from this past season but we can't capture all of them. We have narrowed it down to our top 8 stories for the 2020-2021 volleyball season, including both high school and club. 8. Line-Judging Parents We talked a little in the crossover edition about the different tournaments or league action play that had limited work crews. There were some tournaments I watched in St. Louis specifically, where parents were forced into action as line judges. This isn't abnormal during the high school season at freshman, JV, and tournaments to see parents fill this role. It's very rare to see it on the club level, and they stepped up to the call. What stood out was not only them performing in the role, but how good they were doing it. I sometimes get annoyed at the times I see players check out during their responsibility. This was not the case for the parents. They were dialed in and took the job seriously. I would have thought some of them were college line judges with a level of enthusiasm on display. And they were accurate! So thank you to the parents who stepped up this season to help the athletes have a season. 7. Abbie Day, Park Hill South, and the Shirt We highlighted a story during the high school season that involved a little controversy. We don't like to focus on the controversy but this was something worth bring to light in my opinion. Park Hill South senior Abbie Day and teammates created a t-shirt to help stress equality and working together for change during a climate with high racial tensions. It was a simple t-shirt with three different "skin tones" of a fist with the message, "Together We Rise". A Park Hill South parent wasnt too happy about the shirt and went up the ladder to administrators with her complaint. Without discussing the issue with the team, the Park Hill South principal proceeded to storm onto the court prior to a game with North Kansas City (who were also wearing the same shirts) and forced the team to remove them. The battle over the shirt went back and forth with building and district leadership. In the end, Day and her teammates prevailed and were allowed to wear their shirts. I embrace the courage and fight of Abbie Day, her family, and teammates who stood behind their cause to unite a community. 6. Southwest Missouri Volleyball Continuing to Make a Name In the last few years, we continue to see the development of great players and teams from the Southwest area of the state. 417 Juniors continues to evolve into an elite program with their teams having success in open play and on the national scene. APEX volleyball caught our eyes with their successful 15s team this year. They had a strong run through the GJNC and we look forward to watching their program grow. Tamales have been able to find success in power league play over the last few years. This year their 15's team finished second at Crossroads. They also earned a bid to nationals. 5. Liberty North Undefeated State Champions In its tenth year of existence, LIberty North made a splash during the 2020 season. First, they entered a new division in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference with the large schools, the gold division. They ran the table and were crowned league champions. They had to come from behind in their first-round sectional matchup to get the opportunity to win a sectional championship. They then proceeded to keep the perfect record intact by claiming the Class 5 state title. Oh, and they return a host of starters and key contributors in 2021. Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id="41799" first="Addison" last="Beagle"] will be back to run the offense. Pins [player_tooltip player_id="41825" first="Isabel" last="Zimmerman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="119226" first="Carlie" last="Cisneros"] both were All-State and dominant scorers. MB [player_tooltip player_id="119202" first="Caitlyn" last="Burns"] will again bring intangibles to the court. 4. Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite Rallies to Finish 3rd We didn't know how this was going to turn out for this team. They took some lumps over the first couple of days but regrouped and answered the bell in round 3 to fight their way back into title contention. They came up just short but walked away with the bronze trophy and medals. They have a roster of big-time players led by OH [player_tooltip player_id="124216" first="Claire" last="Morrissey"]. She showed why she is one of the top players in the class of 2024 with her play. [player_tooltip player_id="123472" first="Caitlyn" last="Little"] had a big tournament and showed the ability to rise to the occasion. MB [player_tooltip player_id="123459" first="Mia" last="Berg"] continues to impress with her development and play. RS [player_tooltip player_id="123474" first="Megan" last="Manaj"] made big strides this spring and is one we will keep our eye on this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="102553" first="Layne" last="Witherspoon"] looked good in the slide game and was perfectly set time and time again by S [player_tooltip player_id="102554" first="Juliette" last="Myrick"]. [player_tooltip player_id="102557" first="Ava" last="Roth"] and [player_tooltip player_id="102552" first="Madison" last="Smith"] are two of the top backcourt duos in the state. Jordyn Lockmann was productive on the pin and if we add in Emma Fairchild, the team had depth. 3. Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite Triple Qualifies, Emma Hoing's Positive Vibes This team was fun to watch this season. The ability to triple qualify in the open division isn't an easy task. Rockwood will be a team that will again be in the mix next year. They had one of the top 2025 players in the state in Maya Witherspoon. One of the top players in 2024 is [player_tooltip player_id="124221" first="Emma" last="Parker"]. Possibly the top libero in the class in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="124215" first="Olivia" last="Hasbrook"]. She was joined in the backcourt by Amelia Moser who was no slouch herself. Two prolific setters in [player_tooltip player_id="124219" first="Alyssa" last="Nelson"] and Morgan Dumm. OH [player_tooltip player_id="124222" first="Allison" last="Risley"] was key this year and we can't forget MB [player_tooltip player_id="119227" first="Mia" last="Scanlon"], who though undersized in the position made big plays. [player_tooltip player_id="124220" first="Ellie" last="Emms"] also contributed in the middle when called upon. One of the highlights of this team was RS Emma Hoing. She alternated the position with [player_tooltip player_id="124223" first="Laila" last="Person"] but you wouldn't know it with the way she praised her team throughout the year on social media. Even though her name wasn't mentioned as much, she always retweeted and gave a shout-out to her teammates. She is also a good volleyball player who will surely play at the college level. However, the positivity and the willingness to play a role is something coaches will absolutely love about her. You can't help but cheer for players like Emma. One last note, she lives in Illinois and my intention was to not focus on athletes in other states but I couldn't help it due to her fun-loving attitude. Thank you, Emma! 2. Club North 17-1, Missouri Jrs. 15-1, and HPSTL 15 Orange One of my favorite things over the years is to watch a team I know go win a qualifier in the American Division. We all agree, open is the toughest in respect to the level of play. I still believe the toughest to get through is the American Division. One, only the winner gets the bid (unless they already own a bid). Second, you have to almost be perfect to get it done. Unless you get out the first pools with a tiebreaker, you can't afford to lose. Third, the gold bracket generally includes other undefeated teams and you have to beat four teams to win the whole thing. Mizuno Club North 17-1 did it out the gate at the Northern Lights qualifier in Omaha the final weekend of January. As we look back on our article, Haylee O'Meara had a good run from the pins. The backcourt played extremely well led by Lia Graham and Rebecaa Wright. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="119201" first="Autumn" last="Kaderly"] and MB Killian Holden had a solid connection going. Throughout the season we also saw strong play from MB Isabella Reynolds and Pin [player_tooltip player_id="122726" first="Yanni" last="Washington"]. Missouri Juniors 15-1 came through a few months later and matched Club North, being another Missouri team to win the American bid at Northern Lights. Hannah Vogt emerged as one of our favorite young setters to watch this season. [player_tooltip player_id="124227" first="Isabella" last="Herrbold"] is a lights-out defender. RS [player_tooltip player_id="124226" first="Autumn" last="Bax"] will be a name to remember in the coming years. OH Baily Braun had a breakout spring and Ava Reeser is a top-notch defender. HPSTL 15 Orange did their thing at Windy City, taking home the American bid. They were a consistent team throughout the year, only having what we would consider one rough showing. Another rising setter, Claire Fulton kept getting better and better as the season went on. Athletic and high-flying MB Tatyana Pirtle will make her debut in the update rankings this year after a strong spring. Six-rotation pin Rylie Cepicky has the full package and can hit a strong pipe. LIbero Addie Normille is a player we look forward to watching her development. Kayla Robertson showed up big at nationals and we will keep our eye on her this fall. 1. Missouri Setters There is no shortage of talent in the setter position in the state of Missouri from freshmen to seniors. 2023 could end up being potentially the strongest class in the history of the state for this position. It's a dangerous game to play to start dropping names because we could easily forget someone but we will proceed with caution. Many believe Hickman's [player_tooltip player_id="101566" first="Ella" last="Swindle"] is one of the top 3 players in the whole class of 2023. She is elite in the position. Carl Junction's [player_tooltip player_id="101701" first="Logan" last="Jones"] just made her pledge to the University of Arkansas. She is a high-level performer and as poised as they come on the court. Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id="41799" first="Addison" last="Beagle"] led her team to a state championship. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="98678" first="Sydney" last="Draper"] plays up a division and you wouldn't know it with her level of play. If we drop down to the 15's, the St. Louis area has [player_tooltip player_id="124219" first="Alyssa" last="Nelson"], Morgan Dumm, and [player_tooltip player_id="124225" first="Sammi" last="Bergjans"] making a splash with their play. In the same age group, the before mentioned Hannah Vogt and Collette Buschhorn of 417 Juniors add to a strong 2024 class. She gets lost in the mix sometimes due to playing up but Nixa's [player_tooltip player_id="102444" first="Sydney" last="Golden"] is a treat to watch and Northern Iowa is getting a good one. In Lee's Summit, [player_tooltip player_id="41816" first="Lacey" last="Higgins"] leads the offense for Lee's Summit West and Mavs 816. [player_tooltip player_id="102453" first="Rachel" last="Schipper"] is a leader on the court and continues to improve. [player_tooltip player_id="119200" first="Emerson" last="Walter"] emerged on the scene during the high school season and helped lead Platte County to a final four season. We would be foolish to not bring up [player_tooltip player_id="102462" first="Addison" last="Kersting"]. She is a quality setter and adds to the 2023 class. [player_tooltip player_id="102554" first="Juliette" last="Myrick"] is silky smooth and helped lead her team to a third-place finish at nationals.