Eagles eager to start inaugural boys volleyball season

by Michael Smith


For the past two years, Grain Valley High School has had a boys volleyball club team, and it has been successful.

The Eagles have travelled to other cities outside of Missouri and teams in the area to compete at the club level. During the last two seasons, the Eagles have made it to the national tournament.

This year, the team has a new opportunity.

In 2024, for the first time, the Missouri State High School Association adopted boys volleyball as a high school sport, and the Eagles will be one of a few teams in the Kansas City metro area to have a team in the association.

“We had so many boys this year that were interested,” Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said.

“I was pumped when I heard the news because a lot of these boys want to go and play at a higher level, so this gives them more experience.”

The Eagles currently have a roster of 23 players with some having experience. Those who could see playing time include seniors Lane Olivarez, William Lindley and Josiah Oehlke, all of whom have had experience playing for the club team; sophomore Jordan Jackson and junior Maddox Dresslaer are returning players, as well; and sophomore Nathan Morgester could also see time on the court.

Oliverez said that his family has a history of playing volleyball and he started playing for the club team two years ago. This season, he will play at middle hitter. Oehlke said he noticed his friends were playing in 2022 and decided to give it a shot. He didn’t regret it.

“I had a blast; I had a ton of fun,” Oehlke said. “It’s been fun to growing at a couple of different positions like libero and right side (hitter).”

Squiers and her players also recruited underclassmen to join the team, which led to Grain Valley having a roster of 23. They encouraged those who were not playing a spring sport to try it out.
The Eagles got enough players to join to have a varsity and junior varsity squad.

“We have just been asking people in class if they want to play,” Olivarez said. “We have been helping everyone out since they have joined, helping with basic skills.”

The Eagles have been practicing for nearly two weeks, working building chemistry. It also helps that a few of the players have already played with each other during the club season.

Because of that, the Eagles are confident that they can have a strong inaugural season.

“I think people are going to want to keep an eye out on us,” Squiers said. “I think it’s going to be a really good season and we will have a chance to be successful.”

Added Olivarez: “We just want to destroy anyone who gets in our way. We want to win as many games as possible. We want to put Grain Valley boys volleyball on the map.”

​Grain Valley will participate in a preseason jamboree Friday at Guadalupe Centers High School.

Seniors Lane Olivarez, left, and Josiah Oehlke played together on the Grain Valley boys volleyball club team and now will be a part of the official high school team this season. Photo credit: Michael Smith