More St. James Volleyball Slam Predictions
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Are you tired of reading about the St. James Volleyball Slam yet? Well, we hope not as this weekend is typically looked at as the kickoff for the high school volleyball season in the KC Metro. We are happy to…
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Continue ReadingAre you tired of reading about the St. James Volleyball Slam yet? Well, we hope not as this weekend is typically looked at as the kickoff for the high school volleyball season in the KC Metro. We are happy to add a new scout to the Prep Dig team, Marshall! Marshall has shared some previews and predictions for this weekend’s slugfest prior to our connecting. Last year, Spectrum Sports’ Shawn Beldin and yours truly had our own little pick ’em session going and it’s only right we bring it back for an additional year! Let’s quickly run down the games and our picks. I’m also certain without looking Shawn picked all Kansas teams, so Missouri you need to show up!
Olathe East vs. Blue Valley
SS: Blue Valley
JQ: Blue Valley behind the backcourt play of stud libero Ryan McAleer Ryan McAleer 5'5" | DS/L Blue Valley | 2024 State #29 Nation KS and Claire Jones Claire Jones 5'9" | DS/L Blue Valley | 2024 State KS , the defense will set the tone for the morning.
#6 Lawrence Free State vs. #5 Blue Valley North
SS: Blue Valley North
JQ: This is a very intriguing match-up with two teams ranked in my KC Metro Power 15. Both teams have really strong players on both sides of the net but will give the defending 6A state champs the slight edge behind Logan Parks Logan Parks 5'11" | S Blue Valley North | 2025 State #8 Nation KS and Janelle Green Janelle Green 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2024 State #68 Nation KS . Free State’s Sawyer Thomsen Sawyer Thomsen 6'2" | MB Free State | 2023 State #145 Nation KS will be a match-up problem.
#4 Shawnee Mission Northwest vs. Blue Valley Northwest
SS: Blue Valley Northwest
JQ: I am giving a lot of respect to SMNW to start the year as evidenced by their number 4 spot in the first power rankings. We expect them to back that ranking up against a good Blue Valley Northwest team if Liv Martin and Elinor Engel Elinor Engel 6'1" | MB Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2023 State KS get going. Alayna Pearson Alayna Pearson 5'6" | DS/L Blue Valley Northwest | 2023 State #110 Nation KS will try to keep the floor clean in the backcourt.
Lee’s Summit West vs. #9 Blue Valley West
SS: Blue Valley West
JQ: The Titans are replacing some key contributors from a year ago but return Ava Anderson Ava Anderson 6'3" | MB Lees Summit West | 2024 State MO who came on strong in the month of October. Blue Valley West has the tandem of Lily Wedman Lily Wedman 5'8" | S Blue Valley West | 2025 State KS and Ella Davidson Ella Davidson 5'10" | OH Blue Valley West | 2025 State KS , add Allison Heck Allison Heck 6'0" | MB Blue Valley West | 2025 State KS who had a strong spring and I lean towards Blue Valley in the battle of the West.
#3 Liberty vs. #2 Olathe Northwest
SS: Olathe Northwest
JQ: It’s time for Missouri to stand up! This is one of those matchups! Both teams are loaded as they are our #2 and #3. The middle play will be the difference in my eyes with Grace Toney Grace Toney 5'11" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO and Aisha Aiono Aisha Aiono 6'3" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO for Liberty and they are my pick as Missouri gets on the board.
#12 St. Teresa’s Academy vs. #8 Bishop Miege
SS: Bishop Miege
JQ: This is a tough pick. I was leaning towards going the experience of Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO and Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO over that of Ali Olson Ali Olson 6'0" | MB Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS . However, we really like the Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS to Lauren Lopez Lauren Lopez 5'10" | OH Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS connection and will ride with Bishop Miege.
Washburn Rural vs. #1. St. Thomas Aquinas
SS: Washburn Rural
JQ: Washburn Rural didn’t lose a game until state last year and returned many of those pieces. Brooklyn DeLeye Brooklyn DeLeye 6'2" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State #30 Nation KS is a star. Jada Ingram Jada Ingram 5'11" | MB Washburn Rural | 2024 State #61 Nation KS and Taylor Russell Taylor Russell 6'0" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS are great resources to have on your team. But I think Aquinas is deeper all the way around with Alea Goolsby Alea Goolsby 5'11" | OH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State #36 Nation KS , Betsey Goodenow, and Kelsey Schenck Kelsey Schenck 5'11" | S St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State KS . Our #1 team in the KC Metro Power Rankings passes the test.
#7 Lansing vs. #10 St. James Academy
SS: St. James Academy
JQ: The host team is the final match of the day. Lansing has a lot of youth. St. James does too but they also played many sets a year ago. Reese Messer Reese Messer 5'11" | S St. James | 2025 State #6 Nation KS is that one. Along with Ava Spachek Ava Spachek 5'11" | OH St. James Academy | 2024 State KS and Heidi Devers Heidi Devers 5'4" | DS/L St. James | 2024 State KS , the Thunder gets it done in the “ranking” upset.