Young Players to Watch at the KC MLK Tourney
While the Kansas City Martin Luther King Day Tournament is a National Qualifier for the 18s, it is a big tournament for the younger age groups, as well. It will be brimming with talent from around the Midwest. Today we…
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Continue ReadingWhile the Kansas City Martin Luther King Day Tournament is a National Qualifier for the 18s, it is a big tournament for the younger age groups, as well. It will be brimming with talent from around the Midwest. Today we will look at some of the younger players in Missouri whose talents will make for some great volleyball.
Emma Lea Benney & Jerica Jackson – H2 VB Academy 18-1 UA
Emma Lea Benney & Jerica Jackson can play a little bit of volleyball. Notice both are on the H2 VB Academy 18-1 UA team – as sophomores in high school. Benney had a bit of a slow start to her sophomore season at Rock Bridge High School, but ironed out the kinks as an outside hitter and finished with nearly 200 kills and 200 digs. Jackson shot out the gates like a cannon in her sophomore campaign and helped her team reach the State Sectionals. She averaged 3.1 kills per set for Hickman High School, while hitting .273. She is incredibly quick to the pin.
Abbey Conz – St. Joe Storm 16-1
Abbey Conz made her presence felt in her first season at Bishop LeBlond in St. Joseph. She will likely take the keys to the offense next season from four-year starter and all-state selection Kenna O’Riley at the setter position. But Conz’s talent could not be denied and she was on the court often for the Eagles, amassing 33 service aces and 205 digs in 2019. She will leave opposing defenses guessing in the club season.
Ella Duchane – Invasion 16-1 Black
Ella Duchane does a nice job in the middle making herself available for her setter – and it shows. The sophomore out of Blue Springs High School grabbed all-conference and all-district honors in a season where she averaged 2.2 kills per set and hit .270. She will be important to Invasion’s hopes to get back to Nationals this season.
Brianna Linehan – THR33 16-1 American
Brianna Linehan plays her prep volleyball for Logan-Rogersville, who has a rich tradition of churning out stellar volleyball players. On the outside this season, she had 98 kills and had a few matches with double-digit kills. Those numbers aren’t exactly eye-popping, but considering those playing in front of her (two-time Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year Birdie Hendrickson and all-state selection Claire Taylor), she has an opportunity to really shine in this club season.
Emma Siron – Invasion 15-Black
Emma Siron is good. We could leave it at that and walk away…but we won’t. But really, Emma Siron is good at volleyball. In her first game as a high school freshman, she walked off the court with 13 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks and 3 digs. She finished the season with 332 kills, 72 aces, 56 blocks and an appearance on the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association All-State team for Sacred Heart (Sedalia). For KC Invasion – Black, the quest is one where they hope to improve on a top 25 appearance at Nationals last season. With Siron in the middle and her teammates around her, the sky is the limit.