McMullen, Pritchard earn all-state, all-league honors

Although the Louisburg volleyball team saw its season come to a close a little earlier than they had hoped, several Lady Cat players were awarded with postseason honors – two in particular.

Junior Rinny McMullen was recently selected as a second team setter on the Kansas Volleyball Association All-State Team and was also named as a first team setter on the All-Frontier League Team.

Senior Carleigh Pritchard was also given both honors as she was named as an honorable mention on the KVA All-State Team and was a second team player on the All-Frontier League squad.

For McMullen, it has been a year of transition that had her become, not just a setter, but an all-around player as well. Instead of taking a step back, the Louisburg junior thrived in her new role.

Despite being on the team’s setters, McMullen led Louisburg with 207 kills on the season to go along with a team-high 439 assists. She also had 149 digs and 48 aces on the year.

“I thought Rinny had a great season,” Louisburg coach Jessica Compliment said. “She definitely had a larger role this season since she became a six rotation player and contributed to the team in more ways than she has in the past. We went back and forth between a 6-2 and 5-1 offense due to Davis (Guetterman’s) injury, and Rinny did a great job of adjusting and helping to lead the team through those adjustments.”

Pritchard, who was the team’s starting middle hitter for most of the season, missed a few weeks due to injury, but still made a big impact for the Lady Cats. Pritchard finished the year with 169 kills and 36 blocks to go along with 17 aces.

“Despite Carleigh’s injury, which kept her out of 11 matches, she had a great season,” Compliment said. “She is a dynamic player and just her presence on the court helped raise the level of play of her teammates.”

The Lady Cats also earned four honorable mention spots on the All-Frontier League Team. Senior Alyse Moore, sophomore Allie Kennedy and McMullen were named as hitters, while junior Chase Kallevig was an honorable mention libero.

Moore was second on the Lady Cats with 174 kills and also played well on defense as she was second on the team with 195 digs. She also had 19 aces.

As for Kennedy, she also missed the beginning of the season due to injury, but the sophomore middle hitter still managed to come back and lead the Lady Cats with 39 blocks and finished with 147 kills.

Kallevig was a team leader on defense from her libero spot as she tallied a team high 300 digs and also had a team-best 55 aces from behind the service line.

“Just like as in past years, our league has some very tough volleyball teams and this year was no different,” Compliment said. “I think we are well represented given the level of talent within the Frontier League. I was pleased to see Alyse, Allie and Chase be recognized as well. They are each deserving of the honor and each had a great season.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

First Team

Keyana Cruse, Bonner Springs, senior; Alli Frank, Spring Hill, senior; Jalyn Stevenson, Spring Hill, senior; Jayla Pierce, Eudora, senior; Darby Weidl, Ottawa, senior

Setter: Rinny McMullen, Louisburg, junior

Libero: Cate Milroy, Spring Hill, junior

Second Team

Carleigh Pritchard, Louisburg, senior; Kate Frakes, Spring Hill, junior; Mariyah Noel, Bonner Springs, sophomore; Chaney Barth, Baldwin, sophomore; Abby Richmond, Paola, senior

Setter: Mercedes Matlock, Bonner Springs, junior

Libero: Harper Schreiner, Eudora, junior

Honorable Mention

Rinny McMullen, Louisburg, junior; Alyse Moore, Louisburg, senior; Allie Kennedy, Louisburg, sophomore; Rylee Serpan, Spring Hill, junior; Fisayo Afonja, Baldwin, freshman; Devyn Ford, Piper, senior; Molly Olmsted, Ottawa, senior; Tessa Calovich, Tonganoxie, senior; Morgan Clark, Paola, senior

Setter: Daphne Gardner, Spring Hill, sophomore; Kirsten Evans, Ottawa, junior; Mikayla White, Paola, junior

Libero: Lexi Ziolo, Tonganoxie, senior; Brooklyn Chase, Baldwin, senior; Chase Kallevig, Louisburg, junior; Emma Stottlemire, Ottawa, junior