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<p>We are still taking a look at all things related to the state championships as we close out the month of November. There were many juniors who had standout weekends at their respective state tournaments. Today we highlight some of the players who had stood out amongst the crowd. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='173376' first='Lauren' last='Lopez'] - OH - Bishop Miege</p>
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<p>Lopez helped lead Bishop Miege to another class 4A state championship in Kansas. She was named 4A Player of the Year. During the team's state tournament run, she had 19 kills and 15 digs in pool play before following that up with 13 kills and 10 digs in the final two matches. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='493515' first='Ashlyn' last='Blazer'] - MB - Mill Valley</p>
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<p>Mill Valley captured the state title in 2023 and Blazer was a big reason for the team's success. She did a good job in the middle of the offense and defense over the two days with numerous blocks and touches while also adding 21 kills over the weekend. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='173384' first='Jenna' last='McClure'] - OH - Blue Valley North</p>
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<p>McClure was huge for Blue Valley North this season with her play on the left pin. At only 5'8", she is a smart attacker and finds a way to find the floor with an array of shots. During pool play action, she had 17 kills, 27 digs, and 4 aces. She matched those 17 kills in the final two matches while adding another 14 digs. </p>
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<p>Kjatja Blanchat - MB - Smoky Valley</p>
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<p>Blanchat showed during the state tournament run she is a player who will contribute to a team at the next level. The clips I saw displayed her athleticism at the net. She had 18 kills and 9 digs on the final day in a battle with Silver Lake. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='493000' first='Hannah' last='Gardner'] - S/Pin - Kickapoo</p>
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<p>Gardner is a do-everything player for Kickapoo and she was a spark plug on the way to a 4th place finish at the state final four. She did her part in contributing 22 kills, 25 assists, and 18 digs for Kickapoo. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='170047' first='Danielle' last='Moore'] - RS - Howell</p>
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<p>Howell marched their way to a runner-up finish in Missouri Class 5 this fall behind strong play from Moore. The 6'1" right side was filling up the stat sheet with kills, collecting 28 in their two matches. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='493090' first='Kamryn' last='McDonald'] - Lee's Summit West</p>
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<p>Lees' Summit West fought their way to a third-place finish in Missouri Class 5. McDonald delivered in key spots, finishing the weekend with 21 kills, 6 blocks, and 34 digs. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='475315' first='Anne' last='Makowski'] - St. Pius X (Festus)</p>
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<p>Makowski went out for St. Pius in the final four recording 29 kills in the two matches. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='477959' first='Aydia' last='Mayotte'] - L - Jefferson City</p>
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<p>The all-state defender showed her stuff in the state final four with big play after big play. Consistency is one thing you get from Mayotte as she had 24 digs in both matches and chipped in 11 assists over those contests. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='244664' first='Ally' last='Fuchs'] - L/DS - Incarnate Word</p>
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<p>On the way to a state title, Fuchs was instrumental in the journey with her back-row play. She totaled 27 digs and 29 receptions for the champs. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='493102' first='Katie' last='Vargo'] - L - St. Michael the Archangel. </p>
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<p>Vargo became one of my best-kept secrets late in the season with her spectacular defensive play for St. Michael's. She had 35 digs in the two final four games. She also passes half the court, with 63 receptions. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='476879' first='Gabby' last='Horn'] - OH - Blair Oaks</p>
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<p>Blair Oaks captured another state title in 2023 and Horn was doing her thing! She had 22 kills in the championship match, after earning 9 the day before. </p>
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We are still taking a look at all things related to the state championships as we close out the month of November. There were many juniors who had standout weekends at their respective state tournaments. Today we highlight some of the players who had stood out amongst the crowd.
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