Area Ladies Competing in the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament

This two state area contributes mightily to the national volleyball scene. No where does that show up more than in this tournament. Keep reading for detail on 45 local athletes. And subscribe for free

Before we reviw the list of these great athletes which is below, let’s consider what we have.

We are following graduates from Missouri and Kansas high schools through the post season tournaments of the three NCAA divisions. There were 39 areas ladies competing in the DIII tournament and 71 competing in the DII tournament. There were very fine performances and deep runs, but no national champion. Could that happen in the DI tournament? Well yes, it could. There are 45 local women who helped guide their team to the post season. Some got there through an automatic berth granted to the conference champion, and some were selected as an at-large team. Regardless, this is the time when you either kill it or you go home.

These 45 ladies come from 34 high schools and compete at 24 colleges. Lansing and St. James Academy each have four grads in this tournament. Olathe Northwest has three. And Bonner Springs, St. Teresa’s Academy, and St. Thomas Aquinas each have two at the Volleyball big dance. After starring here locally, these women have found their new volleyball homes from coast to coast. Yes, locally at Kansas. But, also in San Diego, Pepperdine, and Stanford to the West, Rice and LSU to the South, Loyola-Chicago to the North, and Florida, Auburn, and Colgate to the East.

These players are true players. They play leadership roles on some of the best teams in the country. Schools like No. 2 Wisconsin, No. 3 San Diego, No. 4 Louisville, No. 5 Stanford, No. 8 Minnesota, No. 12 Florida, No. 14 Creighton, and No. 20 Rice. Not bad at all for what some see as flyover country.

First semester away from home and in college? Nothing to be intimidated by. Three of theses ladies are on their conference All-Freshman Teams, one of them being voted unanimously as the Conference Freshman of the Year.

Cream truly rises to the top, and this is what it looks like.

Below you will find capsules on each lady who is reaping the benefit of all those hours on the practice court, in the training room, conditioning, and studying the sport they love. This is one way how the sport loves them back.

The complete brackets and schedule are here.

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Here are the women listed in alpha sequence by their last names. Not all conferences have announced their all-conference honors. Those honors will be more plentiful than they appear:

Abigail Archibong - MB - Graduate Student - Mill Valley - Arkansas

Prior to Arkansas, Abigail was named twice to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team while attending Kansas State. In her two years as a Razorback she has played in every match while starting each match this yea

No. 6 seeded Arkansas will play Utah State on December 2 at 6:00

Ayden Bartlett - Libero - Junior - Leavenworth - No. 4 Louisville

This year Ayden played in 26 matches, starting 12 of them for the No. 4 ranked Cardinals. Last year she got her season high 14 digs in their Final Four match with Wisconsin. She has another opportunity to come up big in the big time.

No. 4 Ranked and No. 1 seeded Louisville will play Samford on December 2 at 6:00.

Taylor Beaven - Defensive Specialist - Sophomore - Seckman - No. 5 Stanford

The sophomore from St. Louis played in every match in her two years at Stanford, both as a defensive specialist and as the libero. She comes up big at tournament time as she did by getting 11 digs in last year’s first round.

No. 5 Ranked and No. 1 seeded Stanford will play Pepperdine on December 2 at 9:00.

Ellie Bichelmeyer - OH - Senior - St. Teresa’s Academy - No. 20 Rice

The former St. Teresa’s Star took her 6’2” stature to Houston where she has been a force for the Owls. Ellie started 9 matches this year and is second on the team in kills per set.

No. 20 Ranked and No. 5 seeded Rice will play Colorado on December 1 at 4:30.

Caroline Bien - OH - Sophomore - St. Thomas Aquinas - Kansas

Caroline has started evey match as a Jayhawk. Following her first year last year she was placed on the Big 12 All Rookie Team, All Conference First Team, and was named the Freshman of the Year. She followed that up this year by being second on her team in both points and kills.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Gabby Blossom - Setter - Graduate Student - St. Joseph’s Academy - No. 3 San Diego

Gabby transfered to be a Torero after four years at Penn State. She finished her career for the Nittany Lions with the 8th most career assists in program history. She followed that up with 1,086 assists this year. Gabby was 9th in her conference in digs per set and 10th nationally in assists per set. Following her one year in San Diego she was named to the All-West Coast First Team and was named Conference Setter of the Year. Gabby was the Gatorade Missouri Volleyball Player of the Year when she was a St. Joseph Academy Angel.

No. 3 Ranked and No. 1 seeded San Diego will play Northern Colorado on December 1 at 9:30.

Ellie Bolton - Defensive Specialist - Junior - St. James Academy - No. 14 Creighton

Ellie played in all 31 matches this year, starting 11 of them. She was second on her team in service aces. Last year she was named to the Big East All-Academic Team.

No. 14 Ranked and No. 4 seeded Creighton will play Auburn on December 2 at 6:30.

Morgan Colangelo - Def Specialist - Freshman - Blue Valley West - No. 14 Creighton

As a freshman, Morgan is looking forward to her first time on the court, following major knee surgery last Spring. She helped her high school team to get to two state championship games, winning one.

No. 14 Ranked and No. 4 seeded Creighton will play Auburn on December 2 at 6:30.

Caroline Crawford - MB - Junior - Lansing - No. 2 Wisconsin

Caroline transfered from Kansas after two years where as a freshman she earned Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team, All Big 12 Rookie Team, and All Big-12 First Team honors. As as sophomore she was on the All-Big 12 Second Team. This year she started 23 matches and was 8th in the Big Ten in blocks per set for the Badgers, who are ranked second nationally.

No. 2 Ranked and No. 1 seeded Wisconsin will play Quinnipiac on December 2 at 7:00.

Keyana Cruse - OH - Sophomore - Bonner Springs - UNLV

The 6’1” former Brave got into half of the matches this year, while starting 6 of them. She made the most of her time on the court by getting 29 kills.

UNLV will play No. 7 seeded Washington State on December 1 at 7:00

Kennedy Davis - MB - Junior - Villa Duchesne - Tennessee State

Kennedy was a force at the net this year. She was 1st on her team and 8th in her conference in blocks per set. She also was second on her team in both points and kills.

Tennessee State will play No. 3 seeded Ohio State on December 2 at 6:30.

Evelyn Diederich - OH - Junior - Blue Valley - South Dakota

Evelyn played in 28 of the Coyotes’s 32 matches, starting twice. She was 3rd on her team in kills.

No. 2 seeded San Diego will play Northern Colorado on Decembe 1 at 9:30.

Kennedy Farris - Libero - Junior - Lansing - Kansas

Kennedy played in all 28 matches for the Jayhawks and led her team in digs. She was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team last year.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Anna Feldkamp - MB - Junior - St. James Academy - Loyola Univ-Chicago

Anna played in 29 matches, starting 20. She was 5th on her team in both points and kills. She finished 8th in the Atlantic 10 Conference in hitting percentage.

Loyola-Chicago will play No. 3 seeded Kentucky on December 1 at 6:30.

Riley Foltz - OH-Junior - Eudora - Kansas

Riley, a chemical engineering major, got onto the court in two matches this year.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Jillian Gillen - OH - Senior - Barstow - Arkansas

The Lady Knight from Barstow took the SEC by storm from day one. Jillian was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. She followed that up with two years of both All-SEC First Team status and being named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. As a senior, she was named to the All-SEC First Team for the third consecutive year. In the SEC, she was 7th in points, 7th in aces per set, and 8th in kills per set.

No. 6 seeded Arkansas will play Utah State on December 2 at 6:00

Sydney Handel - Pin Hitter - Freshman - Lee’s Summit West - Auburn

Sydney got her collegiate career started by playing in 9 sets in 4 matches, recording 2 digs. A three sport athlete as a Viking from Lee’s Summit West, she showed her athleticism and leadership (a captain in two sports) throughout her high school career. She was a finalist for the Evelyn Gates Award, which goes to the top volleyball player in the Kansas City Area.

Auburn will play No. 4 seeded Creighton on December 2 at 6:30.

Birdie Hendrickson - Setter - Junior - Logan-Rogersville - Florida

Birdie played in 9 matches this year, starting 4. She recorded 17 digs in 17 sets. She was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll each of the last two years. And it was only fitting that Birdie becomes a Florida Gator. She was named the Gatorade Missouri Volleyball Player of the Year in both her junior and senior years at Logan-Rogersville.

Rachel Hickman - OH - Senior - Free State - Northern Colorado

Rachel transfered from Kansas after her freshman year. She was named the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year her sophomore year. She followed that up with All-Big Sky Second Team honors in 2020. And last year she was named to the All-Big Sky First Team. Rachel played in all 30 matches this year, starting 28. She was 2nd on her team in blocks and 3rd in both points and kills.

Northern Colorado plays No. 2 seeded San Diego on December 1 at 9:30.

Kailey Jo Ince - OH - Graduate Student - Hesston - Northern Colorado

A two time All Big Sky First Team honoree, Kailey led her team in points and kills. She also was second on her team with 31 service aces. The Hesston High grad was 7th in the Big Sky Conference in both points and kills.

Northern Colorado plays No. 2 seeded San Diego on December 1 at 9:30.

Courtney Jackson - Libero - Sophomore - Olathe Northwest - Arkansas

The sophomore played in all 96 sets for the Razorbacks. Courtney led her team in both digs and aces. Last year she was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.

No. 6 seeded Arkansas will play Utah State on December 2 at 6:00

Audrey Klemp - OPP - Sophomore - St. James Academy - Loyola Marymount

The sophomore played in 24 of the 27 matches, starting 21. Audrey was fourth on the team in blocks and fifth in points and kills.

Loyola Marymount will play No. 3 seeded Oregon on December 2 at 9:00.

Ella Larkin - Libero - Sophomore - Bishop Carroll - LSU

Ella played in all 28 matches as the Tiger’s leading libero. She led the team in digs and was fourth in service aces.

Louisiana State will play No. 8 seeded Hawaii on December 2 at 6:30.

Olivia Lovett - OH - Sophomore - St. James Academy - Loyola Univ.-Chicago

In her second year as an outside hitter for the Ramblers, Olivia played in 12 matches, while starting 6.

Loyola-Chicago will play No. 3 seeded Kentucky on December 1 at 6:30.

Ava Martin - OH - Freshman - St. Thomas Aquinas - No. 14 Creighton

Ava stepped in to a nationally ranked program and made an immediate impact. Playing in 30 of 31 matches, she was second on her team in kills per set. Her impact was known beyond Omaha as she was named to the All-Big East First Team. She was named to the All-Big East Freshman Team and was a unanimous selection as the Big East Freshman of the Year.

No. 14 Ranked and No. 4 seeded Creighton will play Auburn on December 2 at 6:30.

Bryn McGehe - Defensive Specialist - Freshman RS - Platte County - Kansas

The former Pirate played in 23 of 28 matches, starting 2. She recorded 76 digs and 12 service aces.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Elise McGhie - Setter - Junior - St. Teresa’s Academy - No. 8 Minnesota

Elise transfered this year from Kansas. While at Kansas she was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. In her first year as a gopher, she recorded 13 aces.

No. 8 Ranked and No 2 seeded Minnesota will play Southeastern Louisiana on December 2 at 7:00.

Tyanna Omazic - MB - Graduate Student - Olathe Northwest - Miami-Florida

Tyanna is a transfer from Missouri where she had a stellar career where she was named All-SEC her junior year. Following the Covid year and sitting out a year due to an injury Tyanna matriculated at Miami as a Graduate Student. This year she recorded 11 kills as a Hurricane.

No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla will play Kansas on December 1 at 4:30

Sydney Golden - Setter - Freshman - Nixa - Northern Iowa

The freshman from Nixa saw action in 2 matches in her reserve roll as a freshman. She recorded both an assist and a service ace.

Northern Iowa will play No. 7 seeded Florida State on December 2 at 4:30.

Kaiti Parks - MB - Freshman RS - Olathe Northwest - Kansas

After taking a redshirt year, Kaiti did not see court action this year. She was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie team her freshman year.

Vanessa Polk - MB - Freshman - John Burroughs - Pepperdine

The former Bomber did anything but bomb in her first year as a Wave. Vanessa played in 28 matches, starting 27. She led her team in blocks and was No. 4 in her conference in blocks per set. Vanessa’s performance resulted in her being named to the West Coast All-Freshman Team.

Pepperdine will play No. 1 seeded Stanford on December 2 at 9:00.

Madison Scheer - Pin Hitter - Freshman - Eureka-Mo. - Auburn

Madison made a big splash early in her collegiate career. She played in 28, starting 10 of them. She was second on her team in both points and kills. For her performance, she was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.

Auburn will play No. 4 seeded Creighton on December 2 at 6:30.

Karli Schmidt - OH - Sophomore - Lansing - Kansas

In a reserve roll this year, Karli played in 8 matches and recorded 28 kills. Last year as a freshman, the former Lansing Lion to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team and to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Harper Snyder - MB - Junior - Lee’s Summit - Colgate

Harper started all 28 matches in which she played. She was second in the Patriot Conference in Hitting Percentage and Sixth in Blocks.

Colgate will play No. 2 seeded Pittsburg on December 2 at 6:00.

Brooke Stonestreet - Defensive Specialist - Sophomore - DeSoto-KS - Iowa State

Last year, Brooke was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. This year she established herself as an integral force for the Cyclones. Brooke led her team and the Big 12 Conference in Digs per set. She also, on her team, was No. 2 in Hitting Percentage, No. 2 in Service Aces, and No. 3 in Assists.

No. 6 seeded Iowa State will play Florida Gulf Coast on December 2 at 3:30.

Rhiann Swanson - OH - Freshman - McPherson - Kansas

Rhiann appeared in 14 matches. In a reserve roll as a freshman, she recorded 28 kills.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Amaya Tillman - MB - Senior - Shawnee Heights - No. 4 Louisville

Amaya Tillman has had an outstanding four years at No. 4 ranked Louisville. The 6’3” Shawnee Heights product has anchored the Cardinal front line since her arrival. She was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team. As a sophomore she was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was put on the All-ACC Second Team. In her junior year, Amaya repeated as a member of the All-ACC Second Team but added All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. This year she again started every match as she led the ACC in blocks and is tied for 6th nationally. Another run for the national title will be a fitting conclusion to a great collegiate career.

No. 4 Ranked and No. 1 seeded Louisvile will play Samford on December 2 at 6:00.

Camryn Turner - Setter - Sophomore - Seaman - Kansas

Camryn has started all 28 matches for the Jayhawks this Season. Last year, she was named to the All-Big 12 Rookie Team. This year she has led Kansas in assists, and is No. 2 in both digs and service aces. Camryn is 7th in the Big 12 in assists.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Gracie Van Driel - MB - Senior - Spring Hill - Kansas

Gracie returned for her senior year as a two time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree. In a reserve role as a senior, she played in three matches recording a dig and a kill.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Kendra Wait - Setter - Sophomore - Gardner-Edgerton - No. 14 Creighton

Two years ago, Kendra was the No. 7 ranked recruit coming out of high school. She has not disappointed. Last year, as a freshman, she led the Big East in asists. She was named to the All-Big East Freshman Team, All-Big East First Team, and was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American. This year Kendra led her team in hitting percentage, and assists while being second in digs and service aces. She even was third in blocks. She is now a two time All-Big East First Team honoree. She was No. 1 in the Big East in assists and No. 13 nationally.

No. 14 Ranked and No. 4 seeded Creighton will play Auburn on December 2 at 6:30.

Kelsey Watson - MB - Junior - Cor Jesu Academy - Loyola Univ.-Chicago

As a junior, Kelsey continued to be a force at the net for the Bluejays. She was third in the Big East in hitting percentage and 7th in blocks per set.

Loyola-Chicago will play No. 3 seeded Kentucky on December 1 at 6:30.

Kathryn Wesolich - MB - Graduate Student - Lafayette-Wildwood - High Point Univ.

Kathryn has been a mainstay in the middle for the Panthers since her arrival on campus in 2019. This year she played in 29 matches, starting 25. Kathryn is No. 2 on her team in blocks.

High Point will play No. 6 seeded Southern California on December 2 at 4:00

Kim Whetstone - OH - Junior - Bonner Springs - Kansas

In her first year, Kim was an Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honoree. She followed that with Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honors. As a junior she played in 5 matches, two of which she started, and recorded 10 blocks.

Kansas will play No. 7 seeded Miami-Fla on December 1 at 4:30.

Bel Zimmerman - Pin Hitter - Freshman - Liberty North - Auburn

Bel got off to a fast start to her collegiate career. She started 21 of the matches in which she played. She ranked No. 3 on her team in kills while being 4th in both points and blocks.

Auburn will play No. 4 seeded Creighton on December 2 at 6:30.