Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Volleyball season began last Monday with teams across the state opening practice.  

With one week of practice down the first matches of the prep volleyball season are just a week away.

Before the season officially gets underway with first serves next week here are six area players to watch this season.

Colby Greene

West High, Senior

A 6-foot-2 middle hitter, Greene is the top returning offensive threat for a West High squad coming off a 23-15 record and a state tournament appearance.

Greene was a second-team all-conference pick last season when she ranked second on the team with 218 kills.

A Southeast Missouri State commit, Greene also had 57 blocks for West High last season.

Abbey Fryauf

West Branch, Junior

Fryauf established herself as a major threat on both sides of the net last season in her first glimpse of varsity action.

The 6-foot Fryauf ranked third on the team with 135 kills and led West Branch with 80 blocks last season helping the Bears to a 21-16 record and a spot in the Class 2A regional finals.

Ellie Evans

City High, Junior

Already a three-year starter, Evans is poised for a breakthrough season as the top offensive threat in the Little Hawk attack.

The 5-foot-11 Evans is the top returning hitter for a City High team that went 20-14 a year ago after collecting 119 kills as a sophomore.

Evans also had 24 blocks a year ago on her way to earning honorable mention all-conference honors. 

Alex Wiese

Regina, Junior  

Wiese will make her Regina debut this season after missing last season while recovering from a torn ACL and will provide an immediate presence in the middle for the Regals.

Two years ago as a freshman the 6-foot Wiese was named to the River Valley Conference Elite team after leading Tipton with 362 kills.

If Wiese can pick up where she left off two years ago she will give Regina one of the top attacks in the conference.

Grace Keith

Solon, Senior

Keith had her sophomore season cut short by injury but bounced back with a strong junior season last fall.

The 5-foot-9 outside hitter was an honorable mention all-conference pick last year after collecting 172 kills and 23 blocks.

A strong all-around player, Keith added 148 digs and 28 aces last season and should build on those numbers this year.

Shauntina Williams

Clear Creek Amana, Junior

An explosive athlete on the outside, Williams is a candidate for a breakthrough season after a strong sophomore season a year ago.

Williams led Clear Creek Amana with 283 kills on her way to honorable mention all-conference honors.

The 5-foot-10 Williams is one of only two returning players in the WAMAC to post 250 kills a year ago.