Williams, Sword earn all-league volleyball honors

With the 2023 volleyball season in the rear view mirror, postseason honors are starting to come out and a pair of Louisburg athletes were honored.

The All-Frontier League team was recently released and two Wildcats made the list after helping Louisburg to a fourth place finish at state for the second consecutive season.

Senior Madie Williams earned second team honors, while senior Hailey Sword was named to the honorable mention squad.

“Our league is extremely competitive in most sports, and volleyball is no exception,” Louisburg coach Leanna Willer said. “We have a ton of girls that are high level athletes and planning to play at the next level from almost every school in our league. The structure and voting process of our all-league teams is sometimes difficult to understand, but it should be considered a very big honor to be selected to our All-Frontier League teams. I would have liked to see a couple more of our girls recognized, but we are proud to have Madie and Hailey representing us.”

Williams, who played in all six rotations for Louisburg, made big impact for the Wildcats all over the floor. On the defensive end, Williams led the team with 305 digs on the season.

Offensively, Williams was second on the team with 287 kills despite missing a few games this season with an injury. She was also strong from behind the service line with a team-high 43 aces.

As for Sword, she also played all six rotations for Louisburg, and was big for the Wildcats at the net. Sword tallied a team-high 308 kills and finished right behind Williams with 42 aces.

Defensively, Sword was also strong in the back row as she was second on the team with 295 digs.

“Madie and Hailey both had great senior seasons,” Willer said. “They were asked to do a lot for our team as they never came off the floor if they were healthy. They had to be our go-to hitters for a kill, be smart, yet aggressive on out-of-system plays, play great defense both front and back row, and serve receive every rotation. We relied on them for all aspects of the game. 

“If one of them was having an off night, the other knew she needed to step up to maintain the balance and flow for the whole team. We will miss them both and they are leaving behind some big shoes to fill.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

FIRST TEAM

Fisayo Afonja, Baldwin, senior

Rayah Foltz, Eudora, senior

Emery Keebaugh, Ottawa, senior

Shannon Drakes, Spring Hill, senior

Keilah Rivers, Spring Hill, senior

LIBERO: Taryn Marcum, Paola, senior

SETTER: Ellie Suber, Eudora, senior

SECOND TEAM

Alyssa Reichard, Baldwin, senior

Madie Williams, Louisburg, senior

Anna Kane, Paola, senior

Sydney Buscher, Spring Hill, junior

Mikinzi Smoots, Tonganoxie, senior

LIBERO: Parker Long, Eudora, senior

SETTER: Kasia Baldock, Tonganoxie, senior

HONORABLE MENTION

Mackenzie Campbell, Bonner Springs, senior

Adalyn Hemphill, Eudora, junior

Hailey Sword, Louisburg, senior

Dylan Nichols, Ottawa, sophomore

Brylynn Wicker, Paola, junior

Finley Rieke, Tonganoxie, sophomore

Lucy Rieke, Tonganoxie, senior

LIBERO: Claire Baker, Baldwin, junior; Gracie Klecan, Spring Hill, senior; Bailey Poje, Tonganoxie, senior

SETTER: Avery Bergan, Baldwin, senior