Jags try to fill big shoes

To say positions are up for grabs with the Blue Springs South volleyball team would be an understatement.
The Jaguars lost nearly all of last year’s district runner-up team to graduation.
In fact, only three spots are effectively locked up for this coming season – junior Natalie Gieseke returns to fill a setter position, senior Chris Bondurant will move to libero and junior Jessica Taylor will be a middle hitter.
Outside of that, let the competition begin.
“There’s a lot of competition,” South coach Carmen Johnson said. “There’s more competition than there’s been in the last two years. Everyone wants to beat out their friends. It’s been extremely competitive and a lot of fun, but there’s been a lot of class about it. Some of the girls fighting for spots ended up on junior varsity. But they reacted to it with a lot of class.”
Expect the Jags this year to have a young look after last year’s senior-laden squad, which featured all-area players Priscilla Armendariz and Beth Millay – both three-year starters.
“We have three sophomores who made varsity and one freshman,” Johnson said.
This will not be a good year to be young in the Suburban Big Seven, and this team will take some lumps – especially early.
Oak Park, North Kansas City and William Chrisman – three teams who finished in the lower portion of the standings – have left and St. Joseph Central, Raymore-Peculiar and perennial power Lee’s Summit join the conference.
“It’s going to be very tough,” Johnson said. “The only team we’re missing is Lee’s Summit West. If you put Lee’s Summit West in the Big Seven, oh my gosh, it would be really tough. This will be one of the toughest years we’ve had. It’s going to be a fight.”
Despite the new faces, I like South’s chances as a sleeper to make some noise.
This team is going to have to fight for its identity. Players are going to have to fight to get playing time.
All of those things will benefit the Jaguars in the long run.
And by the time the season is over, Blue Springs South will have had something to say about who finishes where in the conference. And the Jaguars will be no pushover.
All I know is – like the players – I’m ready to see some volleyball. We have a lot of talent in the area this year, and South is going to be in some competitive matches this year.