​Eagles sweep Indians in first MSHSAA sanctioned volleyball contest

by Michael Smith


The inaugural season of the Grain Valley boys volleyball team could not have gone much better.
Tuesday’s game against St. Joseph Central was the Eagles first Missouri State High School Activities Association sanctioned contest in program history. Before, Grain Valley had just a club team.

The Eagles showed their experience as they swept the Eagles 25-21, 25-13,25-19 victory over the Indians at Grain Valley North Middle School.

The team appeared to have good chemistry as setters Jordan Jackson and Lane Olivarez set up Eagles’ hitters well throughout the contest.

“I think the consistency (from the setters) worked really well for us tonight,” Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said. “All of the sets were high enough for our hitters to get to. Each setter is a hitter, too. They did a great job leading the court and keeping everyone organized.”

While Grain Valley had a dominant performance, senior Maddox Dressler admitted there were some growing pains early on.

“At the beginning, our energy was a little bit off. We didn’t feel like we were playing together,” Dressler said. “We started out slower than we would have liked. I think we should have one by a little bit more,” Dressler said, “but it’s nice to get the first win Grain Valley has ever had.”

“But in the second and third game, we started playing with each other like we have been doing this for a long time.”

Jackson echoed similar sentiments.

“Between the first and the third sets, we learned we could play together, and we can be successful,” Jackson said. “We are all good friends, so the communication factor is there.”

The Eagles trailed early in the first game and trailed 11-8 early on, but the Eagles outscored Central 17-10 the rest of the way as aces from Nathan Morgester. Josiah Oehlke highlighted the comeback as they took the first set.

Dressler rattled off six kills in the second game which led to his team cruising to a 25-13 win there. Then he and Jackson combined for six kills in the third game as the team rolled to closing out the third set.

“Jordan and I are probably going to go to the same college for volleyball,” Dressler said. “It’s so fun playing with him.”

Dressler led the Eagles with 12 kills and five digs. Jackson added six kills and two aces. Olivarez chipped in with a team-high 22 assists.

​“Those two have been some key players for us in the past,” Squiers said of Dressler and Jackson. “They are continuing to grow. They hit the ball really hard, and they do a great job of seeing the other side of the floor really well and hitting the holes.”

Grain Valley senior Josiah Oehlke prepares to serve the ball. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Sophomore Nathan Morgester gets down on one knee to bump the ball during a 25-21, 25-13, 25-19 victory over St. Joseph Central in Grain Valley's first MSHSAA sanctioned high school match. Photo credit: Michael Smith