Top Kansas 5A schools to watch in 2021
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A season isn’t a season without some guessing of who the top teams will be this fall. Many of these teams are well respected and have found success in post-season play over the years. Here are some of our early…
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Continue ReadingA season isn’t a season without some guessing of who the top teams will be this fall. Many of these teams are well respected and have found success in post-season play over the years. Here are some of our early favorites to hold up the big trophy come November in Kansas 5A. These are teams we jotted down prior to the season started.
St. Thomas Aquinas
The Saints are off and running to start their fall campaign. We knew Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS would be a force and she hasn’t disappointed putting down 47kills in 9 sets. Sophia Bond Sophia Bond 5'7" | DS/L St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State KS and Kelsey Schenck have been rock steady in running the offense and finding their array of hitters. Reagan Anderson Reagan Anderson 5'3" | DS/L St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State KS is a player to watch defensively along the backline.
Lansing
We got an early preview with Lansing and St. Thomas Aquinas to start the year, which ended in a Saints sweep. Lansing bounced back to sweep Topeka Seaman. Olivia Mae Van Der Werff Olivia Mae Van Der Werff 6'0" | OH Lansing | 2022 State KS and Iyanna Jackson have both started the year strong at the net combining for 33 kills. Kamryn Farris Kamryn Farris 5'10" | DS/L Lansing | 2022 State KS is her usual self defensively, leading the team in digs. She should be in the hunt come November to make a return trip to the state tournament.
Maize South
South was on our radar to kick off the season and have sprinted out to a 5-2 start. Shout out to Curtis Klein for the updates! Gracie Morrow Gracie Morrow 5'11" | OH Maize South | 2024 State KS and Jillian Gregory Jillian Gregory 6'0" | OH Maize South | 2025 State #66 Nation KS are spearheading the offense, both tallying over 40 kills early in the year. The team will continue to put pressure on their opponents with a strong serve game. Already they have 48 aces in this young season. Senior Bella Boulanger Bella Boulanger 5'9" | S Maize South | 2022 State KS and sophomore Jenna Sokoll have looked strong running the show.
Wichita Bishop Carroll
Carroll graduated a large portion of their skills and leadership last fall. They do return enough experience however to put themselves in the mix come November. Kenzie Dugan will look to pick up the void in the scoring department as the leading returner in the kills category. Lily Ebright had a strong year defensively and behind the service line in 2020. They do return Anna Wineland, who averaged over 4 assists per set in 40 sets played.
St. James Academy
St. James was one of our early surprises out the gate, knocking off Olathe Northwest in the Spectrum St. James Volleyball Slam. They did run into a tough Washburn Rural team but showed they are a team who will be in the conversation throughout the season. Heidi Devers Heidi Devers 5'4" | DS/L St. James | 2024 State KS is among the top defenders in the state. Ava Spachek Ava Spachek 5'11" | OH St. James Academy | 2024 State KS is a player we intend to keep an eye on this fall. They have some young players on their roster. If they gel, look out for this team in the postseason.