Champions Salute – Lafayette Lancers 37-2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette became a repeat Class 5 champion after knocking off Howell in the title match 3-0. Winning the program's eight titles since 2011. Lafayette has one of the best coaches in Missouri and winning eight titles in the largest class in Missouri is an enormous feat in itself but to be consistently the top team to beat each year since 2007 is unparalleled. Here are some numbers for you, since 2007 Lafayette has had a record of 513-94-8 for an average record of 32-6-1. Of the eleven trips to the final four Lafayette has played in the championship match in all but one year. That was in 2007 the program's first trip to the final four where they would finish 3^rd.&nbsp; From 2011 to 2016 they won six straight titles and were 186-26-3. In 2012 and 2013 they were considered by one outlet as a top 25 team in the nation. Countless D1 athletes have come out of the Lafayette program, and I can't see the train stopping anytime soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the season the team knocked off one of the best programs in the nation in St. James Academy, KS. They would suffer two losses against St. Thomas Aquinas, KS, and Lee's Summit West. Of the 37 wins 30 were in sweeps and only two teams would push them to 5 sets. In the district title match against Marquette, the Lancers had to pull off the reverse sweep to win districts 3-2. During the state title run, they would sweep Jackson, Kickapoo, and Howell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking toward next season Lafayette will again be the team to beat. They will have to replace the school's all-time assists record holder, a fantastic libero, and one of the program's best three-year starters on the outside and a tough middle. Don't feel sorry for the Lancers because they have enough returning to be a contender for a three-peat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returners:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon']</strong> led the team in kills with 435 and sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon']</strong> finished third with 252. I can see Shaye moving to the open outside position. [player_tooltip player_id='207267' first='Kira' last='Dufner'] returns after leading the team in blocks with 116. <strong>Megan Muschick or Addy Wiese </strong>has a chance to move into the vacant libero position. A healthy <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207268' first='Mackie' last='Mueller']</strong> could fill spots in the middle or as an opposite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='737722' first='Carly' last='Desarno']</strong> is a more than capable setter to run the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540296' first='Kyla' last='Krimmel']</strong> could fill in on either pin or play a defensive specialist role. Then you have players moving up from a very successful junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->