Which Players Stood Out at the Jackson Tournament?
The Jackson Tournament is one of the better ones in the state, bringing together traditional volleyball powerhouses from across all classes into one tournament. The results never fail to surprise. This year was no exception. Defending Class 1 State Champion…
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Continue ReadingThe Jackson Tournament is one of the better ones in the state, bringing together traditional volleyball powerhouses from across all classes into one tournament. The results never fail to surprise. This year was no exception. Defending Class 1 State Champion Advance made the most noise, avenging an early-season loss to the host team early in the day before falling in the championship to Class 4 power Lindbergh. Jackson and Lindbergh were equally impressive. The Flyers didn’t drop a set en route to the tournament title. Jackson dropped its match to Lindbergh in pool play before losing in the semis to Advance. Finally, Nerinx Hall showed up to play, as well – dropping and tying a match in their pool before bowing out in the semis to the eventual champs.
We know about Jordan Iliff of Mehlville and Carlie Rodgers of Lindbergh. And of course they didn’t fail to impress last Saturday. Here are some others who turned some heads in Jackson.
Pool A
Jackson
Lesterville
Lindbergh
Nerinx Hall
North County
Arcadia Valley
Pool B
Advance
Ste. Genevieve
Perryville
Sikeston
Mehlville
Poplar Bluff
Addison Brazile, Defensive Specialist – Nerinx Hall
Brazile has been solid for the Markers all season. The junior averaged 7.3 digs per set in Jackson and helped Nerinx reach the semis. The all-conference selection had ten digs in the win against North County in pool play.
Allie Harrison, Setter & Mallory Polk, Outside Hitter – Lesterville
Harrison has really shined in 2019 and the Jackson tournament was no exception. After the Bearcats dropped its first match of the day against Lindbergh, it rallied nicely behind Harrison’s efforts. The senior averaged 9.3 assists per set in the tournament and had 24 in the win against Poplar Bluff. In that match, she also had 10 digs. Polk was an absolute kill machine in Jackson. The connection between Harrison and Polk was exceptional. The junior had 56 kills at the tournament, including 18 in the win against North County.
Kristen Kaempfe, Middle Hitter – Perryville
Kaempfe was a force to be reckoned with in the middle for the Pirates, slamming down 34 kills in five games. The junior was also part of 15 blocks. Her performance in Jackson was just par for the course in 2019 – she is hitting .373 on the year, has 201 kills, and is amongst the state’s leaders in blocks with 133.
Schrader – courtesy SEMOBALL.comRoz Schrader, Middle Hitter – Advance
It might be a little unfair to put Roz Schrader on a list of unknowns. In the Southeast Missouri volleyball, everyone knows Schrader. She has had a stellar career in Advance, so it’s hardly surprising she excelled in Jackson. The 2018 SEMO Volleyball Player of the Year had 50 kills and hit an insane .514 on the day for the Hornets. In the semifinals against Jackson, she had nine kills and hit .600.
Mackenzie Stoner, Outside Hitter – Jackson
Stoner has been a staple in Jackson’s lineup for three years and in 2019 the senior is hitting .306 with 216 kills, 134 digs and 39 aces in 62 sets played. In her team’s home tournament, the outside hitter had 32 kills. She also had nine aces in the win against North County. Jackson has committed to player college volleyball at Evangel University in Springfield.