It's a Wrap: Women's Volleyball-NCAA Division I
There were 182 Missouri and Kansas athletes who competed in NCAA Division I. Every stat for each one is attached. Fifty-two of them are highlighted for their extraordinary achievements. Take a look.
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This Series
Playing On Sports covered five Fall Season sports. The “It’s a Wrap” series takes a postseason look at each athlete. Complete stats are provided. Also highlighted are those athletes who achieved one of several distinctions. It is a great way to wrap up the season by seeing the achievements and honors earned by our local athletes on the national stage.
Here is a list of the articles in that series:
Field Hockey - All Three Divisions - 67 Athletes - Read that article here.
Football - Division I - 590 Athletes - Coming Soon
Football - Division II - 941 Athletes - Coming Soon
Football - Division III - 218 Athletes - Coming Soon
Women’s Volleyball - Division I - 182 Athletes - Here Today!
Women’s Volleyball - Division II - 265 Athletes - Coming Soon
Women’s Volleyball - Division III - 116 Athletes - Coming Soon
Men’s Soccer - Division I - 107 Athletes - Coming Soon
Men’s Soccer - Division II - 217 Athletes - Coming Soon
Men’s Soccer - Division III - 156 Athletes - Coming Soon
Women’s Soccer - Division I - 299 Athletes - Coming Soon
Women’s Soccer - Division II - 361 Athletes - Coming Soon
Women’s Soccer - Division III - 128 Athletes - Coming Soon
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The Basketball Series
In this series, we take an in-depth, midseason look at all of the area athletes who compete in a sport in one of the NCAA divisions. During the Winter Season, both Men’s and Women’s Basketball are covered. All three divisions. We list identifying demographic information along with 25 statistics for each athlete. Highlighted, are those who are in the Top Five of one of ten statistical categories. Recent articles in this series are:
NCAA DI MBB - 111 Athletes - Read the article here.
NCAA DI WBB - 122 Athletes - Read the article here.
NCAA DII MBB - 152 Athletes - Read the article here.
NCAA DII WBB - 166 Athletes - Read the article here.
NCAA DIII MBB - Coming Soon.
NCAA DIII WBB - Coming Soon.
Don’t miss this series!
To say that our area athletes had an impact on NCAA DI Volleyball would be an understatement. They competed in numbers disproportionate to the population. And when they competed they reached some of the highest highs.
Our athletes competed on some of the best teams in the country. Few get that opportunity. But, let’s not lose sight of the fact that those teams are among the best because of the players.
When looking at the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25, we see the presence of our athletes. There were ten local athletes on six of top ten teams. Over half of the Top 25 teams benefited from the presence of local talent.
Ella Swindle (Rock Bridge/Univ. of Texas), as a 6’3” setter, led her Longhorns to the National Title. She did that by setting her teammates point by point, set by set, and match by match. And she did that as a freshman. A 6’3” middle blocker, Caroline Crawford (Lansing/Univ. of Wisconsin) had the second most blocks for the No. 3 Badgers. Arkansas finished the year No. 8. following a great run in the tournament. Who led the Razorback’s best volleyball team in program history? Jillian Gillen (Barstow/Univ. of Arkansas) came back for her graduate year to start every match as an outside hitter, while Courtney Jackson (Olathe Northwest/Univ. of Arkansas) played every set in the libero position. That’s who!
Of the 182 athletes, 23 started every match for their team. Eight of those 27 started every match as the setter. Often the setter is the second hit on offense. Any miscue there can negate all of the talent of the outside hitter. The offense goes as the setter goes. In addition to Ella Swindle, noted above, other notable setters include Kendra Wait (Gardner-Edgerton/Creighton University) who once again was named an All-American. Alyssa Miller (Blue Valley West/Univ. of Dayton) let the Atlantic-10 Conference in assists. Camryn Turner (Seaman/Univ. of Kansas) started every match on her way to being named the Big 12 Conference Setter of the Year. Allie Otten (St. Dominic/Lindenwood Univ.) started all 30 matches for the Lions. Birdie Hendrickson (Logan-Rogersville)/Pepperdine Univ.) went the distance in starts for the Waves. As a freshman, Sydney Draper (Pembroke Hill/Princeton Univ.) started every match for the Tigers. That earned her Ivy League Rookie of the Year Honors and a place on the All-Ivy Second Team. Torri Henry (St. Teresa’s Academy/Stony Brook Univ.) recorded the tenth most assists per set in the country. That placed her on the Colonial Athletic Association First Team in addition to being named the conference Setter of the Year.
Kayley Cassaday (Blue Valley North/Univ. of Tulsa) earned the distinction of being named to Honorable Mention AVCA All-America AND the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American Team. Kendra Wait, noted above, was placed on the AVCA Third Team All-American AND the CSC Academic All-American Team.
Also special notice goes to Brooklyn DeLeye (Washburn Rural/Univ. of Kentucky) who started 26 matches at outside hitter for the No. 10 Wildcats.
You will see many other great achievements listed below, such at 18 athletes named to their conference First Team and eight honored as a Player of the Year. And you will find that the collegiate coaches will describe these athletes better than anyone else.
The High Schools
These athletes come from 101 high schools throughout Missouri and Kansas. The high schools with the most graduates competing in NCAA Division I Volleyball are:
Lansing - 9
St. Teresa’s Academy - 6
St. James Academy - 6
Cor Jesu Academy - 5
Nixa - 5
The Criteria
If someone was on a NCAA Division I Volleyball roster this year, they, and the numbers they produced are on the attached spreadsheet. To be highlighted below, these athletes achieved one or more of the following criteria:
All-Conference Team
A conference season award
A conference weekly award
Top Five conference finish in a selected statistic
AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) All-American
Top Ten NCAA finish in a selected statistic
CSC (College Sports Communicators) Academic All-District
CSC Academic All-America
A Word About Accuracy.
Playing On Sports strives to have the most complete and accurate information available. But errors and omissions can happen. If you see any error or omission, please let me know at PlayingOnSports@gmail.com. You can also contact me for any reason. I respond to all.
I really appreciate your input.
The Spreadsheet
Don’t miss the spreadsheet attached at the end which contains eight biographical details along with 27 statistics for each of the 182 athletes.
The Highlights
Here are the 52 athletes. The names, faces, high schools, colleges, honors, and words from collegiate coaches.
Reagan Barth - Freshman - Outside Hitter - Shawnee Mission West - Georgia Southern University - Sun Belt Conference
First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
Conference No. 3 Service Aces Per Set - .43
“Reagan, coming in as a freshman, carried a huge load for us this year. When we recruited her we knew there was a ton of potential there. To be honest, I’m not quite sure we expected to see this much this fast. She has an incredibly bright three years ahead of her. The thing I’m most proud about is the person she is. You can’t ask much more than that.
Chad Willis
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Georgia Southern University
Tara Beilsmith - Graduate Student - Libero - St. Joseph’s Academy - Southeast Missouri State - Ohio Valley Conference
Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year
First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week - Five Times
Conference No. 1 Digs Per Set - 6.38
NCAA No. 2 Digs Per Set - 6.38
“Tara is one of those rare, program-changing athletes that every coach hopes they find at least once in their career. She has given everything she possibly could to this program. Tara’s dedication to her teammates, coaches, and SEMO was evident every single day in practice and in matches. While her talent was remarkable, it is her love of the sport that was truly fun to watch. SEMO Volleyball will forever be better because Tara Beilsmith was a part of it.”
Julie Yankus
Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Southeast Missouri State University
Julia Brooks - Senior - Middle Hitter - Parkway North - Troy University - Sun Belt Conference
First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
CSC Academic All-District
“In over 20 years of collegiate coaching I have never enjoyed coaching a player more than Julia Brooks. She is truly a championship teammate and one of the most sincere, hard working, caring people I have had the pleasure to be around. Julia changed our team culture forever because she genuinely loved the people around her and modeled our team standard of Best Teammate. Best effort both on and off the court. Julia set amazing records as a player here at Troy. She was the first player ever to have over 1,400 career kills and over 400 career blocks. But the person that Julia has become in her time here at Troy outshines her amazing athletic accomplishments. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her in this next phase of her life. The best is yet to come!”
Joshua Lauer
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Troy University
Maddy Bushnell - Junior - Middle Blocker - Willard - Missouri State University - Missouri Valley Conference
Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Kayley Cassaday - Graduate Student - Outside Hitter - Blue Valley North - University of Tulsa - American Athletic Conference
First Team All-American Athletic Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week - Four Times
Conference No. 1 Kills Per Set - 5.14
Conference No. 1 Points Per Set - 5.54
CSC Academic All-District
First Team CSC Academic All-America
Honorable Mention AVCA All-American
NCAA No. 3 Kills Per Set - 5.14
NCAA No. 4 Points Per Set - 5.54
Caroline Crawford - Senior - Middle Blocker - Lansing - University of Wisconsin - Big Ten Conference
Defensive Player of the Week
Keyana Cruse - Junior - Outside Hitter - Bonner Springs - Western Illinois University - Ohio Valley Conference
First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 5 Kills Per Set - 3.50
Conference No. 5 Points Per Set - 4.07
Kennedy Davis - Senior - Middle Blocker - O’Fallon Christian - Tennessee State Univ. - Ohio Valley Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Brooklyn DeLeye - Freshman - Outside Hitter - Washburn Rural - University of Kentucky - Southeastern Conference
First Team All-Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team
Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year
Conference Player of the Week
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Conference Freshman of the Week - Five Times
Honorable Mention AVCA All-America
Anna Dixon - Graduate Student - Outside Hitter - Louisburg - University of Florida - Southeastern Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Sydney Draper - Freshman - Setter - Pembroke Hill - Princeton University - Ivy League
Ivy League Rookie of the Year
Second Team All-Ivy League
Conference Rookie of the Week - Three times
Conference No. 2 Assists Per Set - 10.26
‘Sydney Draper took on a huge responsibility running the Princeton offense this season. She showed a lot of grace while navigating her numerous new hitters, themselves learning a college-level tempo, and also the coaches expectations. She filled the shoes of an All American and National Statistical leader in assists/set last season, so the pressure was great. Sydney performed consistently well throughout the season and she still has so much unlocked potential, so we are all very excited to work with her in the upcoming years.”
Sabrina King
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Princeton University
Rachel Fairbanks - Graduate Student - Outside Hitter - Lansing - Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha - Summit League
Honorable Mention All-Summit League
Kamryn Farris - Sophomore - Defensive Specialist - Lansing - Univ. of South Dakota- Summit League
Conference Defensive Player of the Week
CSC Academic All-District
Anna Feldkamp - Senior - Middle Blocker - St. James Academy - Loyola University-Chicago - Atlantic-10 Conference
Conference No. 5 Blocks Per Set - 1.00
Lauren Forbes - Junior - Libero - Kickapoo - University of Missouri - Southeastern Conference
CSC Academic All-Conference
Jillian Gillen - Graduate Student - Outside Hitter - Barstow School - University of Arkansas - Southeastern Conference
First Team All-Southeastern Conference
Conference Player of the Week
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 3 Kills Per Set - 4.15
Conference No. 4 Points Per Set - 4.85
CSC Academic All-District
CSC Second Team Academic All-America
Second Team AVCA All-America
Carly Glendinning - Sophomore - Outside Hitter - Timberland - University of Cincinnati - Big 12 Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Betsy Goodenow - Freshman - Right Side - St. Thomas Aquinas - Yale University - Ivy League
Second Team All-Ivy League
Conference Rookie of the Week - Two Times
“Betsy has been incredible this Fall. She played six rotations for us this year and had a lot of responsibility. As a first year, that is very rare, and she did it with poise and confidence. She was one of our go-to hitters from the front and back row. She is super athletic and competes at a high level. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching her and I’m thrilled that she will be back for three more years.”
Erin Appleman
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Yale University
Azyah Green - Senior - Middle Blocker - Kickapoo - Missouri State University - Missouri Valley Conference
Second Team All-Missouri Valley
Conference No. 5 Blocks Per Set - 1.07
Lexie Gregory - Junior - Defensive Specialist - Nixa - Univ. of Central Arkansas - Atlantic Sun Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Lauren Halverson - Junior - Middle Blocker - St. Teresa’s Academy - College of the Holy Cross - Patriot League
CSC Academic All-District
Birdie Hendrickson - Senior - Setter - Logan-Rogersville - Pepperdine University - West Coast Conference
First Team All-West Coast Conference
Emily Henken - Senior - Outside Hitter - Cor Jesu Academy - Saint Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
Conference No. 4 Points Per Set - 3.57
CSC Academic All-District
Torri Henry - Senior - Setter - St. Teresa’s Academy - Stony Brook University- Colonial Athletic Association
First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association Setter of the Year
Conference No. 1 Assists Per Set - 10.80
NCAA No. 10 Assists Per Set - 10.80
Jordan Iliff - Junior - Right Side - Mehlville - University of Missouri - Southeastern Conference
First Team All-Southeastern Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week - Two Times
CSC Academic All-District
“She went this summer to the USA (Volleyball’s National Team Development Program) and that helped her a ton, and came out with this confidence, and came back to this group was like, okay, this is where we’re going to go. One of the most consistent individuals when she walks into the gym with what she does.”
Dawn Sullivan
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
University of Missouri
Courtney Jackson - Junior - Libero - Olathe Northwest - University of Arkansas - Southeastern Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 5 Digs Per Set - 4.02
Rebecca Janke - Senior - Middle Blocker - Rolla - Lindenwood University - Ohio Valley Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Lindsay Lahr - Senior - Outside Hitter - Blue Valley - Missouri State University - Missouri Valley Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Aubrey Lapour - Junior - Outside Hitter - Blue Springs South - Bryant University - America East Conference
First Team All-America East Conference
America East Conference All-Academic Team
Conference No. 2 Kills Per Set - 3.34
Conference No. 5 Points Per Set - 3.70
Torrance Lovesee - Sophomore-RS - Outside Hitter - Bluestem - Univ. of Texas-El Paso - Conference USA
CSC Academic All-District
Ashlyn Lovett - Junior - Defensive Specialist - St. James Academy - Georgia Southern University - Sun Belt Conference
Conference No. 3 Digs Per Set - 4.62
CSC Academic All-District
Paige Lynn - Junior-RS - Libero - St. Francis Borgia - University of South Alabama - Sun Belt Conference
Conference No. 5 Digs Per Set - 4.54
CSC Academic All-District
Ava Martin - Sophomore - Outside Hitter - St. Thomas Aquinas - Creighton University - Big East Conference
First Team All-Big East Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week - Two Times
Conference No. 4 Kills Per Set - 3.59
Conference No. 5 Points Per Set - 3.95
Honorable Mention AVCA All-America
Jillian Mattingly - Senior - Middle Blocker - Cor Jesu Academy - Saint Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Alyssa Miller - Junior - Setter - Blue Valley West - Dayton University - Atlantic 10 Conference
Second Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference
Conference No. 1 Assists Per Set - 10.55
“Alyssa has really put work into her craft and is one of the big reasons we had the year we had this year. She had great control of our offense and earned the trust of our attackers leading us to one of the more efficient offenses in the country. Alyssa is really fun to watch and she is one of the most athletic setters I’ve ever coached. She will set a ball at least once a match that makes me go “wow that was really good!” I’m glad she’s our setter and that we have her one more year and anticipate her to do some special things next year.”
Tim Horsmon
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
University of Dayton
Carsen Murray - Junior-RS - Middle Blocker - Blue Springs South - Marquette University - Big East Conference
First Team All-Big East Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 1 Blocks Per Set - 1.12
Conference No. 2 Hitting Percentage - .374
CSC Academic All-District
“She absorbed all kinds of learning and just got stronger and stronger in the weight room and on the court. It’s probably one of the quickest improvements in volleyball I’ve ever watched, which is possible with someone who had limited playing experience (prior to college). Her spirits have been phenomenal, and she is a terrific teammate. It’s one of my favorite parts of my job, watchin how good she’s gotten at volleyball.”
Ryan Theis
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Marquette University
Kate Owen - Junior - Defensive Specialist - Kickapoo - Missouri State University - Missouri Valley Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Vanessa Polk - Sophomore - Middle Blocker - John Burroughs - Pepperdine University - West Coast Conference
Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Mikayla Powell - Graduate Student - Right Side - Raymore-Peculiar - Austin Peay University - Atlantic Sun Conference
Conference Player of the Week
Conference No. 2 Kills Per Set - 3.59
Conference No. 2 Points Per Set - 4.01
Carlie Rodgers - Senior - Defensive Specialist - Lindbergh - Saint Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
Conference No. 3 Digs Per Set - 4.82
Conference No. 4 Service Aces Per Set - .42
Sophia Rohling - Senior - Opposite - Neodesha - Wichita State University - American Athletic Conference
First Team All-American Athletic Conference
Madison Scheer - Sophomore - Pin Hitter - Eureka-MO - Auburn University - Southeastern Conference
First Team All-Southeastern Conference
Conference Player of the Week
Conference Offensive Player of the Week - Two Times
Brooke Stonestreet - Junior - Libero - DeSoto-KS - Iowa State University - Big 12 Conference
Defensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 3 Digs Per Set - 4.18
Morgan Stout - Junior-RS - Middle Blocker - Nickerson - Wichita State University - American Athletic Conference
Second Team All-American Athletic Conference
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 4 Hitting Percentage - .339
Ella Swindle - Freshman - Setter - Rock Bridge - University of Texas - Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference All-Rookie Team
Anna Taylor - Sophomore-RS - Outside Hitter - Nerinx Hall - Xavier University - Big East Conference
CSC Academic All-District
Camryn Turner - Junior - Setter - Seaman - University of Kansas - Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference Setter of the Year
First Team All-Big 12 Conference
Conference No. 1 Assists Per Set - 10.67
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Honorable Mention AVCA All-America
Katie Vorhies - Senior - Outside Hitter - Ozark - Harvard University - Ivy League
Second Team All-Ivy League
“Katie was determined to make her senior season her best season and it was a great one. She was a 4-year starter for us, and this season Katie was our leading point scorer and a dynamic outside attacker in the Ivy League. Katie has always trained hard in and out of season. Between workouts, open gyms, extra reps, and studying scout she put the work in every day. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished and grateful for all that she gave to Harvard Volleyball.”
Jennifer Weiss
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Harvard University
Kendra Wait - Junior - Setter - Gardner-Edgerton - Creighton University - Big East Conference
Big East Conference Player of the Year
Big East Conference Setter of the Year
First Team All-Big East Conference
Conference Defensive Player of the Week - Two Times
Conference Offensive Player of the Week
Conference No. 1 Assists Per Set - 10.35
CSC Academic All-District
First Team CSC Academic All-America
Third Team AVCA All-America
Odyssey Warren - Senior - Outside Hitter - Lee’s Summit West - Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City - Summit League
First Team All-Summit League
Conference No. 3 Kills Per Set - 3.51
Conference No. 3 Points Per Game - 3.87
Nyah Wilson - Junior - Outside Hitter - Advance - Lindenwood University - Ohio Valley Conference
Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference
“Nyah is the perfect example of what a player can accomplish when they work hard, are dedicated to their sport and have a relentless desire to be a positive influence on the team. She came to us from Advance as a winner, a 3 time State Champion, and you are not just given those trophies. It has been fun to see her develop as a person and player over the last three seasons. I feel like every year she has taken her game to a higher and higher level. I am excited to see what happens in her Senior year!”
Will Condon
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Lindenwood University
Here is the spreadsheet with 27 statistics for each of the 166 athletes. The data is as of the end of the season and is provided by each school. The athletes are sorted first by high school, and then by the athlete’s last name:
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