Class 5 Districts 13 and 14
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We are continuing our district previews in Class 5 with 13 and 14 set to kick off Thursday at Lee’s Summit West and Blue Springs South. Let’s start with District 13. Class 5 District 13 St. Teresa’s record isn’t appealing…
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Continue ReadingWe are continuing our district previews in Class 5 with 13 and 14 set to kick off Thursday at Lee’s Summit West and Blue Springs South. Let’s start with District 13.
Class 5 District 13
St. Teresa’s record isn’t appealing but knowing their schedule and quality of opponents they earned the top seed in this bracket. They will play the winner of 4th seed Lee’s Summit and 5th seed Raytown, which we believe will be Lee’s Summit. I saw Lee’s Summit face-off with Staley last week and have enough pieces to pull at least one upset in this tournament. OH Ashlyn Bellamy Ashlyn Bellamy 6'1" | OH Lee's Summit | 2023 State MO missed some games but still managed to put down 200 balls this fall. Junior MB Jordan Stout Jordan Stout 6'1" | MB Lee's Summit | 2023 State MO has added 205 of her own and has emerged as a floor leader for this team. Freshman Brylee Johnson has turned some heads in her first season, delivering 8.6 assists per set. After they get by Raytown, don’t be surprised if they give St. Teresa’s a run for their money and a possible upset. They played back on September 8th, with a Stars sweep but this team is different from that matchup. St. Teresa’s offensive leader is Junior pin Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO . She will need to be on to make a deep tournament run. Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO is having another effective season from the setter position. We are due for some bulletin board material so let’s go with the Tigers in the first semi.
In the other match, we will see the Titans of Lee’s Summit West, the two seed versus Lee’s Summit North. North is a much-improved team from last year. The first time they met up, LSW got the sweep. In the rematch, The Broncos fell just short in a 5 set slugfest. Senior pin Sydney Handel Sydney Handel 5'10" | OH Lee's Summit West | 2022 State MO of LSW has 360 kills on the year. Kenzie Kennicut has been a pleasant surprise with her 206 kills. Freshman Addison Lindemann has been impressive defensively in her debut season. Senior setter Lacey Higgins Lacey Higgins 5'9" | S Lee's Summit West | 2022 State MO has had a stellar career and looks to finish it with another trip to sectionals. LSN has been getting a good balance of production from a trio consisting of Maddie Sibbing, Taylor Bailey Taylor Bailey 5'10" | OH Lee's Summit North | 2022 State MO , and Riley Deshay. Senior Alexis Nunn Alexis Nunn 5'5" | DS/L Lee's Summit North | 2022 State MO is closing in on 300 digs on the year. Even with a close match-up last time out, we like Lee’s Summit West to make it a third victory this season.
Lee’s Summit West vs. Lee’s Summit. We love the match-up of Bellamy versus Handel. We like the second option and setter position better for West and will pick them to win District 13.
Class 5 District 14
Now, this may be one of the more intriguing districts to keep an eye on. Top-seeded Blue Springs has experience in tough district battles. Grain Valley has had a tremendous season that includes an undefeated conference title. Remember, Blue Springs does play in what we feel is the toughest conference in the state. We’ll get to these two teams but let’s start with the 4/5 match-up.
Truman over Fort Osage in this battle, with Truman losing to Blue Springs. We have known what we were going to get from Senior Chloe Kaminski Chloe Kaminski 5'9" | DS/L Blue Springs | 2022 State #115 Nation MO all along. She has had a steady career and that continues with 223 kills and 340 digs. The help from Juniors Maya Fergerson and Kayleigh Jenkins have been welcomed in the offensive department. Nikole Schnell has matched Kaminski’s play in the back row with over 300 digs of her own.
In the other semi, Grain Valley and Blue Springs South will face off and we are going to edge Grain Valley. They have had a strong year, Junior Addi Bybee Addi Bybee 6'1" | MB Grain Valley | 2023 State MO and Senior Olivia Williams Olivia Williams 5'9" | OH Grain Valley | 2022 State MO have combined for close to 500 kills on the season. Senior Addison Baumgartner Addison Baumgartner 5'9" | OH Grain Valley | 2022 State MO has been solid in her final go-around with 11.8 digs per match. The setting duo of Dru Iles and Allison Koepkey have been pleasant to watch in their offensive system. Blue Springs South has made strides throughout the season behind the play of Tori Valentine Tori Valentine 5'11" | OH Blue Springs South | 2023 State MO . She has carried the team offensively with over 300 kills. Senior Marti Strickert has stepped into the setting role this year and has been effective with over 600 assists.
Blue Springs and Grain Valley should be a good battle when I look at it on paper. Grain Valley has the better record. Blue Springs has played the better competition. In the playoffs, I believe being more battled tested > record. Blue Springs, as I mentioned before has been in these big games before so we will pick them to win another district title.