One match into the new season and the Jefferson girls volleyball team already has reached a new milestone.
Almost 10 months after the Blue Jays finished third at the Class 2 state championships in Cape Girardeau – their first-ever trip to the final four – head coach Tara Fish won her 100th match since taking over five years ago, with Jefferson beating Seckman 25-10, 25-16, 25-11 on Aug. 30.
Last season, the Blue Jays finished 33-7-1 and were champions of the Jefferson County Activities Association small-schools division at 5-0. The road to state began by beating league rival Grandview in the District 4 championship.
“Following very successful varsity and junior varsity seasons and having many returners, the expectations for 2022 are high,” said Fish, who has taught in the R-7 district for 20 years. “We got a taste of success with our victories and now we want more. This summer was proof that we are stronger than ever and are continuing to grow and bond. Our team motto is ‘I play for her.’”
Seniors Emma Breier, Kirstyn Loyd, Maclayne McPeters, Avery Richardson, Ava Roth and Paige Siebert all return. Breier, an outside and middle hitter, has committed to Pittsburg State University in Kansas and was one of four Blue Jays selected to the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state team. She was among the team leaders in kills (367) and blocks (46) last year.
Loyd (outside, middle) has committed to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. She also made all-state and is the returning JCAA small-schools player of the year. Loyd led the Blue Jays in attacks (1,145) and kills (472) and was second with 71 aces.
Roth, headed to the University of Arkansas, returns at outside hitter after earning all-conference and all-state honors. She led the team with 82 aces and 445 digs.
Siebert returns as the setter for Jefferson’s 5-1 offense and she too was all-conference and all-state after dishing out 1,159 assists.
Senior Grace Lowery and juniors Beth Dalton, Grace Neels and Belle Price round out the varsity.
“We had an outstanding summer together,” Fish said. “Ninety-five percent of our players (grades 9-12) were highly devoted in the weightroom for strength and conditioning. We are fortunate to have Robert Kuehnle (head softball and baseball coach) and Matt Atley (head football coach) taking care of all of our athletes in the weightroom to get the most out of their workouts in a safe manner. During camps, shootouts and scrimmages our players have felt a significant growth in themselves, validating that their hard work is paying off.”
Here’s a look at the rest of the local schools in the small-schools and large-schools divisions of the JCAA.
Crystal City Hornets
Head coach: Erin Bova, first year
Last season: 14-12-1 overall, 6-7 JCAA small-schools
District assignment: Class 1 District 4 (host)
Final four history: 1983 (Class 2A, fourth), 1984 (Class 2A, third), 1985 (Class 2A, third), 1987 (Class 2A, fourth), 2002 (Class 2, fourth), 2005 (Class 2, fourth), 2006 (Class 2, second).
Key players: seniors Kate Eisenbeis (setter), Molly Clemmons (middle blocker), Abbie Edwards (outside hitter); juniors Bella Hankins (setter) and Charlie Place (outside hitter).
After beating Principia in straight sets to open the season, Crystal City outlasted Bismarck 25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 on Sept. 1. The Hornets fell to St. Vincent in the District 4 final last season and the Indians are again in the same district.
“One key component that we’re working on is speeding up our game, which will allow our hitters to have more options on the net,” Bova said. “The possibilities this season are endless and I am confident that these girls are capable of exceeding our win total from last year.”
Edwards and Clemmons were all-JCAA and all-district last season and Eisenbeis was all-district. The Hornets have two talented setters in Eisenbeis and Hankins, who also are strong hitters. Crystal will again rely on Edwards, Clemmons and Place to lead the team in attacks and kills.
“They are all very smart and aggressive hitters, which will help set the tone on the court,” Bova said.
“I am excited to be working with a very talented group of girls. Our team is led by a solid group of seniors who provide true leadership, a strong work ethic and endless effort. They set high standards for our underclassmen to follow, which creates good team chemistry.”
Grandview Eagles
Head coach: Madeline Rotter, seventh year
Last season: 11-14-1 overall, 1-4 JCAA small-schools
District assignment: Class 2 District 3
Final four history: None
Key players: seniors Anna Belle Wakeland, Devin Sandstrom, Kenzie Tribout, Danielle McClune.
Wakeland earned all-conference honors a year ago and is a six-rotation player who performs in the middle, front and back row. McClune, Sandstrom and Tribout are playing in new positions this year but have been improving each practice. Sandstrom is a defensive specialist, Tribout another six-rotation player and McClune is the setter.
Grandview started the season 4-1-1 and made it to the championship of the Hancock Tournament, where the Eagles lost to Crossroads Academy in the final.
“My expectations for this season are to improve each day and to be the hardest working team on the court,” Rotter said.
Herculaneum Blackcats
Head coach: Nikki Coleman, second year
Last season: 7-16-3 overall, 1-4 JCAA small-schools
District assignment: Class 3 District 2
Final four history: None
Key players: seniors Kayla Greer, Ella Hoskins, Riley Passananti, Haley Smith; juniors Kenzie Duncan, Abby Callahan.
With a full lineup of returning starters, the Blackcats are well-positioned for more wins this fall. Coleman said Herky finished 2021 on a strong run, coming together to gain momentum going into the district tournament. This offseason, the Blackcats have continued to work with that momentum. Greer has grown in her leadership role, taking charge of the team, Coleman said. Duncan returns for her third year as the setter.
“We have a tough schedule this fall, but this team has the ability to accomplish anything they set their minds to,” Coleman said.
St. Pius X Lancers
Head coach: Shannon Leftridge, ninth year
Last season: 23-9-4 overall, 5-1 JCAA small-schools
District assignment: Class 4 District 1
Final four history: 10 appearances; state champions in 2011, 2016, 2017 (all Class 2)
Key players: senior Hanna Burch; junior Karlie Lane; sophomores Hannah Leftridge and Anne Makowski.
Leftridge’s daughter, Hannah, showed how talented she was, earning all-state recognition as a freshman. Leftridge led the Lancers to the championship of the Brace for Impact tournament in Fenton on Aug. 27 as they began the season 5-0.
“Hannah Leftridge is going to be pivotal to our success this year,” Shannon said. “She is stronger and hitting the ball faster this year. Her passing, defense and sheer knowledge of the game will make her hard to stop.”
Burch was first-team all-conference last year and is the only senior on the roster. The coach said Burch brings energy and experience to the court.
“She is dialed-in as a senior and wants the most successful season of her career,” Leftridge said. Lane, the new libero, is already excelling in the back row. Junior Emma Frazier is a hard-working defensive specialist who will be integral to the Lancers defense. Makowski is hitting the ball well and puts up a big block at 6-feet tall. Freshmen Elana Ruble and Bennett Raterman already are making an impact, with Ruble the new setter.
“She works hard to put our hitters in the best position to score,” Leftridge said. “She’s one of the quickest setters I’ve seen at the high school level.”
Raterman plays middle hitter and Leftridge said she has the size (6-3) and speed to give St. Pius an edge in the front row.
“She is versatile and moves well (for her size),” the coach said. “The combination of players I have this year work well together and can compete at a high level. I am looking forward to a great season.”
The Lancers were assigned to Class 4 District 1, hosted this year by Farmington. The Knights beat St. Pius three sets to one in sectionals last year.
De Soto Dragons
Head coach: Lindsey Brinkman, 12th year
Last season: 10-16-2 overall, 3-6 JCAA large-schools
District assignment: Class 4 District 1
Final four history: None
Key players: seniors Sophia Cummings, Gabby Gau, Cheyanne Harding, Jill Jones, Meghan Mellor, Chloe Skaggs, Kiley Smetzer, Hannah Theiss; junior Neo Bourn; sophomore Payton O’Shea.
The Dragons are optimistic about the season, having lost only one player to graduation. They opened 5-2, including four straight wins between Aug. 27 and Sept. 1. The Dragons played well in their two defeats, to Windsor and Hermann, last year’s Class 2 state champion. On Sept. 1, De Soto squashed North County 25-12, 25-12, 25-8.
Mellor led the St. Louis area in blocks last season with a school-record 155. Skaggs led the team in kills (174), while the defense features Smetzer, a three-year varsity starter with career totals of 309 digs and 427 receptions. Cummings (206 digs, 284 receptions), Harding (180 digs, 182 receptions), and Jones (129 digs, 176 receptions) all boast solid career numbers.
Gau is out with a broken collarbone but strongly supports her teammates and “has taken on the role of team mom,” Brinkman said. Theiss is a skilled blocker with a nice cut in her swing. Bourn has made major strides as an all-around player, while the setter position holds steady with O’Shea still in control. Freshman Ashley Theiss will be a player to watch this season as she brings a spark to the Dragon offense.
“With at least a year of experience under most of the team’s belt, we have high expectations for ourselves this year,” Brinkman said. “Several players have improved in the offseason and we’ve added more firepower to our offense. We’ve been the underdog against a lot of teams the past few years, and that role should change this year. We are capable of much more than before and the girls and me are excited to see how far we can take it this season.”
Festus Tigers
Head coach: Stephanie Whitehead, second year
Last season: 12-18-1 overall, 6-2 JCAA large-schools
District assignment: Class 4 District 1
Final four history: 1981 (Class 3A, second), 1997 (Class 3A, third)
Key players: seniors Jersey Moonier (defensive specialist), Claire Martin (right side, middle hitter), Kali Oshia (middle, right hitter), Ella Shy (setter); juniors Gabbi Burkard (outside, middle hitter), Audrey Jackson (outside, middle) and Delaney Wills (setter, right hitter).
In addition to the returners, Festus will depend on defensive specialists Ana Bell (a junior), Alexis Biehle (senior), and Jessie Hawkins (freshman) to perform on the back row. The Tigers look for strong blocks and swings from sophomore Ella Mothersbaugh, and juniors Anna Raye and Ava Croft will help in a setting role or swinging from the right side.
A year ago, the Tigers lost to North County in five sets in the District 2 semifinals, ending Whitehead’s first season after replacing hall of fame coach Karen Biehle. The loss to the Raiders actually showed how much Festus had improved after starting 0-7-1 and losing in three sets to North County. The Tigers began this season with losses at Ste. Genevieve (in five sets) and Farmington.
“We expect more wins this season,” Whitehead said. “Winning conference and districts are obvious goals, but to get there we are focusing on finishing matches in three or four sets. The team has been working very hard learning a new defense and we are already seeing success with it. The whole team understands it will take all of them to reach the goals we have set.”
Hillsboro Hawks
Head coach: Israel Ringling, first year
Last season: 6-18-2
District assignment: Class 4 District 1
Final four history: 1989 (Class 4A, third place); 1982 (Class 3A, second place); 1979 (Class 4A, fourth place)
Key players: seniors twins Reese and Sidney Buettner, Phoenix Dean, Sofia Fischer, Jada Cochran, Bella Uzzle, Addison Martian.
Dean was second on the Hawks with 104 kills last year. Maya Wright, a 2022 graduate, led Hillsboro in most categories last season.
“I expect a really good season. We have a strong offense that will lead our team,” Ringling said. “I expect the girls to be able to run the court more and not have to rely on the coaches as much because they are so experienced.”
Windsor Owls
Head coach: Stephany Dueker-Richmond, 22nd season
Last season: 27-4-3
District assignment: Class 4 District 1
Final four history: 2019 (Class 3, fourth place)
Key players: seniors Lexi Menne (outside hitter), Madison Williams (setter), Emma Lawson (middle hitter), Madelyn Mancuso (middle hitter), Sami Boaz (defensive specialist); juniors Katie Moore (libero), Sydney Green (outside), Michelle Stefanus (middle, right side), Maggie Bunton (defense), Sophia Williford (defense); sophomore Hannah Jarnegan, Keira Dixon.
A statement win over Hermann at Windsor’s Wagener-Moore Invitational on Aug. 27 highlighted the Owls’ 5-0 start to the 2022 season.
The Bearcats have won 15 state volleyball championships, more than any other team in the state, and are the Class 2 defending champions.
But they ran into a Windsor buzzsaw that shredded Mehlville 25-5, 25-20,
De Soto 25-15, 25-17 and Affton 25-12, 25-9 and beat Clayton in the championship 25-18, 25-23.
The Owls finished off the Bearcats, 25-13 and 25-17.
Windsor finished fourth in the state in Class 3 in 2019. Since then, the Owls lost in five sets to Rockwood Summit in the Class 4 District 3 championship in 2020 and were swept in three sets in last season’s District 3 final. Windsor is 61-24-7 the last three years and had its best season under head coach Stephany Dueker-Richmond last season with 27 wins, which included titles at the Wagener-Moore, Warrenton Invitational and Jefferson County Activities Association large-schools championship tournaments.
“I expect us to continue to progress, get along, become better teammates, and have fun while working hard,” said Dueker-Richmond, who enters her 22nd season. “I’m also really, really hoping we stay healthy. I think that’s the most you can ask for and putting a win number or district title on the line to indicate success is sometimes not a true indicator.”