Girls Volleyball Preview

High school volleyball is back and it promises to be another great season.

St. Joseph’s Academy has five starters back from last year’s 21-7 that was upset in the district finals.

Lafayette is the defending state champion in Class 4 and the Lancers will have new coach in Zach Young. He took over for Steve Bukard, who stepped down after 20 years as the varsity coach. Burkard now will coach the junior varsity Lancers.

Marquette returns five starters from a 20-13-3 squad.

Parkway West won its conference crown last year and captured the district title as well. Coach Susan Dean has five starters back from the 22-11 squad.

Eureka has a new coach in Deb Title, who replaces the retired Becky Stevenson. Kennedy also has a new coach with Greg Fisher taking over for James Hermann.

Here’s a look at the teams in alphabetical order, with insight from the coaches.

EUREKA WILDCATS

2011 record: 5-12. Finished third in districts.

Coach: Deb Title. Entering her first year as head coach at Eureka.

Returning: 8 players

Players to watch: all the returning players

Newcomers expected to contribute: Kasey Klages, Claire Gartland, Amanda Oldenburg, Rachel Kraft

Team Strengths: Our backrow defensive players, aka “The D team” is extremely versatile, and able to adjust to most offensive schemes. The team also serves very consistently.

Goals: Maintain the traditionally strong volleyball program at Eureka High School.

Teams in the Suburban West Conference: Eureka, Fox, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Marquette, Northwest, Oakville, Mehlville, Parkway South

Teams in Class 4 District 3: Eureka, Lafayette, Northwest, Pacific, Parkway South, Rockwood Summit, Washington

Quote: “The athletes are focused on whatever it takes to achieve success,” Title said. “With a completely new coaching staff, new schemes and systems are being put into place, the players are reacting favorably.”

 

KENNEDY CELTS

Coach: Greg Fischer. Entering first year as head coach at Kennedy.

Returning: 8 starters

Players to watch: senior outside hitter Annie Reuther, senior setter/right side Kristen Parker, junior middle blocker Samantha Heppermen

Newcomers expected to contribute: sophomore setter Sarah Liese, freshmen middle blocker Kaitlyn Kohm, senior libero Bethany Slaughter

Team strengths: We will be very strong at the setter position since I have three players that set for me. This allows my rotation to be very versatile during the game. I also have some strong hitters in Annie Reuther, Kristen Parker, Kelly McTigue, and Samantha Heppermen.

Goals: One major goal is to have winning record and win the small schools portion of our AAA conference.

Teams in AAA: Borgia, Cardinal Ritter, DuBourg, Duchesne, Kennedy, Lutheran St. Peters, Rosati-Kain, St. Dominic, Trinity

Favorites to win the AAA: Lutheran St Charles (small schools) and St. Francis Borgia (large schools)

Teams in Class 3, District 5: Clayton, John Burroughs, John F. Kennedy, MICDS, Villa Duchesne, Visitation Academy, Westminster Christian Academy

Quote: “I am really excited to take over the program this year,” Fischer said. “I was left with a team that has a lot of varsity experience. They are versatile across the board. To balance with the experience, I have some youth coming in that is crucial in the development of this team.”

 

LAFAYETTE LANCERS

2011 record: 33-5-1. Won Class 4 state championship with a 25-23, 24-26, 25-16 victory over Lee’s Summit West.

Coach: Zach Young. Entering first year as head coach at Lafayette. Previously I coached six years as an assistant at Lindenwood University, varsity for three years at Wright City, three years varsity at Wentzville Holt, and the past four years as the JV coach at Lafayette.

Returning: 10 lettermen – Ashley Beaton, Stephanie Campbell, Melanie Crow, Lily Johnson, Maddie Jones, Kenzie Henning, Lindsey Pecoraro, Kayla Richardson, Jackie Scott and Maggie Scott

Players to watch: senior middle hitters Stephanie Campbell and Maddie Jones, junior outside hitter Lily Johnson, senior right side hitter Melanie Crow

Newcomers expected to contribute: junior middle hitter Breanna Griffey, sophomore defensive specialist Tori Roe

Team strengths: Will be strong at the net with our height and should play good floor defense.

Goals: Win conference, strive for improvement as a team, and to have good positive energy on and off court.

Teams in the Suburban West Conference: Eureka, Fox, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Marquette, Northwest, Oakville, Mehlville, Parkway South

Favorites to win the Suburban West Conference: Lafayette, Oakville, Lindbergh, Marquette

Teams in Class 4 District 3: Eureka, Lafayette, Northwest, Pacific, Parkway South, Rockwood Summit, Washington

Quote: “We’re very excited about this group of girls this year,” Young said. “They are all very talented volleyball players and they really enjoy being around each other. This is one of those teams that only comes along every so often that has the talent, the cohesiveness, and the drive to be great.”

 

MARQUETTE MUSTANGS

2011 record: 20-13-3. Lost in the semifinals of districts.

Coach: Jared Kreienkamp. Entering his second year as head coach at Marquette.

Returning: 5 lettermen, 5 starters

Players to watch: junior middle hitter Caroline Finnell, senior outside hitter Blair Schulte, senior right side hitter Becca Blaise

Newcomers expected to contribute: junior outside hitter Abi Ulett, sophomore middle hitter Emily Randolph, sophomore defensive specialist Amy Kindt

Team strengths: We are a team that tries to frustrate opponents through solid defense and aggressive serving.

Goals: Play every match with energy and focus, contend for a Suburban West Conference title, win districts.

Teams in the Suburban West Conference: Eureka, Fox, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Marquette, Northwest, Oakville, Mehlville, Parkway South

Favorite to win the Suburban West: Lafayette, Oakville

Teams in Class 4, District 7: Francis Howell North, Fort Zumwalt East, Marquette, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West

Quote: “With five of six starters returning, we are working hard to improve on last year’s results,” Kreienkamp said. “Every year brings different challenges and these girls are committed to doing whatever it takes to be successful.”

 

MICDS RAMS

2011 record: 19-10. Lost in the semifinals of districts.

Coach: Rachael Maurer. Entering eighth year as head coach at MICDS.

Returning: 3 lettermen, 3 starters

Players to watch: sophomore middle blocker Mariana Edmond, sophomore setter Hanna Alexander, junior outside hitter Gabby Putnam

Newcomers expected to contribute: junior outside hitter Katie Abbott, junior defensive specialist Allie Meier, junior middle blocker Josie Cusworth

Team strengths: Defense will be very solid this year as well as our serving. Excited about our setter and the offense we will run.

Goals: To compete well in our conference and advance to the finals in the two tournaments we will participate in.

Teams in the Metro League: John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, Principia, Villa Duchesne, Westminster Christian Academy

Favorites to win the Metro League: Westminster, Villa Duchesne, Lutheran South

Teams in Class 3, District 5: Clayton, John Burroughs, John F. Kennedy, MICDS, Villa Duchesne, Visitation Academy, Westminster Christian Academy

Quote: “We have a whole new bunch this season with newcomers newcomers and I am extremely excited for what they bring to the team,” Maurer said. “Our program has improved greatly over the years and we have taken the level of intensity to the next step. I look forward to see what these girls can achieve this season and I am confident we will be able to complete with the best of them.”

 

PARKWAY CENTRAL COLTS

2011 record: 12-13-2. Lost in district semifinals.

Coach: Tom Schaefer. Entering his 12th year as head coach at Parkway Central.

Returning: 6 starters

Players to watch: senior middle blocker Nicole Bunte, junior outside hitter Ashley Glickert, junior outside hitter Jenny Wang, senior opposite Ashley Farris.

Team strengths: Will be a ball control team, will work very hard on defense and try to make it very hard for teams to score points.

Goals: Try and win at least one of our tournaments, compete for a conference title and a district title.

Teams in the Suburban South Conference: Kirkwood, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West, Seckman, Summit, University City, Webster Groves

Favorites to win the Suburban Central Conference: Kirkwood and Parkway West have been very good the last few years and still will be this year and could be the favorites, but there are several other quality teams in our conference that will be a challenge for us and will have a shot at winning our conference.

Teams in Class 4, District 7: Francis Howell North, Fort Zumwalt East, Marquette, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West

Quote: “Our team is very excited about our season,” Schaefer said. “We’ve improved the strength of our schedule this year and every game is going to be a battle for us, but I believe it will make us a better team in the long run and hopefully will pay off once we reach districts.”

 

PARKWAY NORTH VIKINGS

2011 record: 19-7-2.

Coach: Chris Frankenfield. Entering his 22nd year as head coach at Parkway North.

Returning: 6 lettermen, 4 starters

Players to watch: senior middle hitters Amber Alexander and Paige Marshall. Junior libero Kate McAfee is out for the season due to a torn labrum in the hip.

Team strengths: Strength will be ball control.

Goals: Win. I’d love to win conference and districts as would any coach. I hope to be a favorite in the Pattonville tournament and win that again. And I’d love to be in at least the finals of the two other tournaments we are in.

Teams in the Suburban South Conference: Kirkwood, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West, Seckman, Summit, University City, Webster Groves

Favorites to win the Suburban Central Conference: Realistically, we have a great chance at both conference but Kirkwood and Parkway West are probably the favorites.

Teams in Class 4, District 7: Francis Howell North, Fort Zumwalt East, Marquette, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West

Quote: “I’m privileged to once again coach wonderful young people,” Frankenfield said. “I am looking forward to watching them grow in their relationships and volleyball ability. I’m hoping that we are great and win those close matches this year but I also know that it only takes a couple mistakes to lose a 23-25 set. The girls have learned a ‘never give up’ attitude and I think it will show this year. It should be a lot of fun. We lost a little punch offensively with the graduating seniors. I think we are an average to slightly above average team.”

 

PARKWAY SOUTH PATRIOTS

2011 record: 10-22-1

Coach: Carrie Steele

Returning: 11 lettermen

Players to watch: senior middle blocker Becca Steins, senior setter Sarah Kramer, senior middle blocker Stephanie Davis, senior outside hitter Jenna Storm

Team strengths: Compete every match, work hard.

Goals: Be more efficient in the little details of the game.

Teams in the Suburban West Conference: Eureka, Fox, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Marquette, Northwest, Oakville, Mehlville, Parkway South

Favorites to win the Suburban West Conference: Conference is always tough, every night any team can win.

Teams in Class 4 District 3: Eureka, Lafayette, Northwest, Pacific, Parkway South, Rockwood Summit, Washington

Quote: “With all returning starters from last year, I am hoping we’ll be more experienced in the varsity speed of the game and also be more familiar with each other strength’s and weaknesses,” Steele said.

 

PARKWAY WEST LONGHORNS

2011 record: 22-11. Won district and conference championships. Lost in the state sectional finals.

Coach: Susan Dean. Entering 13th year as head coach at Parkway West with a record of 303-151. Also spent 13 years as head coach at Parkway Central. This is Dean’s 27th year as a head coach in Parkway system.

Returning: 7 lettermen, 5 starters

Players to watch: senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Sophie Baker, senior right side hitter/defensive specialist Natalie Ellis, junior middle hitter Savannah Fillion, sophomore libero Ela Sutcu, senior defensive specialist Zoe Gnaedinger, senior right side hitter Emily Basler, sophomore outside hitter/setter Paige Perego

Newcomers expected to contribute: sophomore middle hitters Stefanie Elsperman and Maddy Quoss, sophomore defensive specialist Rachel Ellis

Team strengths: Good team chemistry, great group of girls who constantly challenge each other to get better. We have solid experience and a good mix of talented kids both defensively and offensively!

Goals: Our goal every year is to be better at the end of the day than we were when we started. Specifically, we set as our goals competing well in the conference, the district and reaching post season play again.

Teams in the Suburban South Conference: Kirkwood, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West, Seckman, Summit, University City, Webster Groves

Favorites to win the Suburban South Conference: Each of these teams is competitive. Kirkwood was top ranked coming into the season. Every team is tough to beat.

Teams in Class 4, District 7: Francis Howell North, Fort Zumwalt East, Marquette, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Parkway West

Quote: “Our kids are so focused and together right now it is really fun,” Dean said. “They are totally committed to improving themselves and their teammates and are selfless on the court. Our level of intensity is good this year with everyone pushing each other. We have a very talented group who brings some excellent club experiences with them. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can do on the court.”

 

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY ANGELS

2011 record: 24-7. Lost district championship game to Kirkwood.

Coach: Karen Davis. Entering 21st year as head coach with a record of 526-117 at St. Joseph’s Academy.

Returning: 7 lettermen, 5 starters

Players to watch: senior setter Alyssa Jensen, Senior middle blocker Natalie Gower, senior outside Lauren Gresham, senior defenseman Anna Reichert, senior defenseman Courtney Meek, junior Grace Carter, sophomore Hannah Western

Newcomers expected to contribute: sophomores Morgan Gresham, Bethany Besancenez, Colleen McGrath, juniors Holly Hildebrand, Sarah Thuet, Gabby Green

Team strengths: Experience, quick with a very solid defense.

Teams in MWAA White Conference: Cor Jesu, Incarnate Word Academy, Nerinx Hall, St. Joseph’s Academy, Ursuline

Favorites to win the MWAA White: St. Joseph’s and Cor Jesu

Teams in Class 4, District 7: Kirkwood, Ladue, Nerinx Hall, St. Joseph’s Academy, Ursuline Academy, Webster Groves

Quote: “I am really, really, excited about this team,” Davis said. “It could turn out to be on of the best to step on a St. Joe court.”

 

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WILDCATS

2011 record: 22-11.

Coach: Heather Kea. Entering sixth year as varsity coach with a record of 120-48-7 at Westminster Christian Academy.

Returning: 8 lettermen

Players to watch: seniors outside hitter Erin Bognar, senior middle Lauren Thoenen, senior middle Sadie Stipanovich, senior setter Bailee Benes, senior setter Megan Tilley, senior libero Ellie Bettlach, junior outside hitter Hannah Stipanovich, junior right side Lauren Vanek

Newcomers expected to contribute: right side hitter Adrienne Horn

Team strengths: Our team is very big if applying our training I hope to be a great blocking team that is very offensive.

Goals: It will be important to improve our record, and win majority of the tournaments we will participate, play great defense, work as a unit with a we and not me mentality.

Teams in the Metro League: John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, Principia, Villa Duchesne, Westminster Christian Academy

Favorites to win the Metro League: Villa and Lutheran South I would expect to be very strong.

Teams in Class 3, District 5: Clayton, John Burroughs, John F. Kennedy, MICDS, Villa Duchesne, Visitation Academy, Westminster Christian Academy

Quote: “The talent is there with this team it will be a great season if we can focus on staying positive and working hard for one another,” Kea said. “We have eight of nine players returning and several have played together for three seasons. If the team can stay committed to making others around us stronger, we will progress well through the season.”

 

WHITFIELD WARRIORS

2011 record: 17-15. Lost in the district finals to Lutheran St. Charles.

Coach: Cipriano Casado. Entering 12th season as head coach at Whitfield.

Returning: 7 lettermen, 5 starters

Players to watch: senior outside hitter Casey Brown, senior outside hitter Stephanie Anderson, senior middle blocker Camille Montgomery, senior libero Sarah Ashmore

Newcomers expected to contribute: freshmen setter Erin Brown, sophomore right side hitter/DS Hannah Lewis, freshmen middle blocker Brigid Dolan, junior right side hitter Aimee Hibler

Team strengths: A great group of four senior starters and a solid team chemistry already.

Goals: To win districts and play solid volleyball throughout the season.

Conference: Independent.

Teams in Class 2, District 5: Barat Academy, Brentwood, Crossroads College Preparatory High, Maplewood, Principia, Valley Park, Whitfield

Quote: “I think this team is going to click and play good volleyball since early in the season,” Casado said. “Our team leaders are excellent in bringing up the best out of every player in the squad. I think we are going to be a very solid team all season.”