Fifteen Eagles Sign to Continue Athletic Careers

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


One of the largest signing classes in the history of Grain Valley High School put pen to paper Friday morning in the field house as a standing-room-only crowd of family members, friends and students watched from the bleachers.

Fifteen seniors signed national letters to continue their academic and athletic hopes and dreams at the next level.

"I know there a lot of proud parents, family members and friends here today to see their friends sign their national letters of intent," said Hart, whose daughter Morgan signed a letter to play softball at William Jewell.

"I'm a proud today, and I'm proud of all the students who will be signing."

Grain Valley softball coach Flip Courter had the most signees as six of his players signed their letters.

They are, Ashlynn McConnell, Lincoln; Olivia Slaughter, University of Central Missouri; Addie Wright, South Dakota; Morgan Heart, William Jewell; Riley Hodson, Park University; and Sydney Wagner, Southern Illinois.

"They are the most softball players who have participated in National Signing Day and I am so happy and proud of all of them," Courter said.

Wagner was first-team all district and second-team all conference and all region.

Hodson was honorable mention all conference and Hart was second team all conference and all district.

Slaughter was first team all conference and all district, second team all region and won the Eagle Award for overall excellence.

McConnell was honorable mention all conference, second team all district and was named the Newcomer of the Year and Wright was second team all district.

Baseball had two signees as Bryce Meyer signed with Fort Scott and Brody Welp signed with Simpson College.

"Brody has been steady player behind the plate and Bryce is rock steady and ready to pitch in any big-game situation," coach Brian Driskell said. "I'm proud of them."'

Three of coach Brett Lewis' soccer players signed their letters - Aubrie Henson and Taylor Nicholson signed with Avila and Riley Pesce signed with Graceland.

"We had another outstanding season, and these three young ladies played a big role in our success," Lewis said. "They are all leaders and they have been such a special part of our teams the past four years. We're going to miss them"

Addy Seyfert signed with Rockhurst, and Eli Herbert signed with Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Tenn.

"It all seems real when you sign your letter," said Seyfert, who recently had an surgery to repair ankle tendons, which could keep her sidelined through January of 2026.

"I promise you I am going to come back better than every. This my senior year, and I hate to miss so many games, but I'm working hard." 

Kyleigh Casey, who nailed her 1,000th kill this season for the Eagles volleyball team, signed with Quachita Baptist.

"She is one of the best players and leaders I have coached since I took over the volleyball program," coach Tori Squiers said. "We can't wait to see what she does in college."

Landon Blew, who became of the most honored cross country runners in Grain Valley history, signed to run cross country at Park University.

"Landon spent four years in this program and became a great leader," coach Nick Small quipped, "while he made everyone look bad.

"It's been amazing to watch him grow into the leader and great runner he is today."

Fifteen athletes at Grain Valley High School participated in one of the largest National Signing Days in the history of the program. Six softball, three soccer, two baseball, one volleyball, one cross country and two basketball players signed their national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

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Signing Day a family affair for three Eagles

One of largest National Signing Days in Grain Valley High School history turned into a family affair as 15 players signed their letters - including three who had special ties within their respective sports.

Eli Herbert is the son of Eagles basketball coach Andy Herbert. His younger brother Isaac is a freshman in the program this season and his older brother Owen played basketball for the Eagles and is now a junior basketball manager at the University of Missouri.

Eli signed a letter to play basketball at Liberty University, a Division I program in Lynchburg, Tenn.

Morgan Hart, the daughter of Gain Valley activities director Brandon Hart and cousin of teammate Olivia Slaughter both signed letters to play softball. Hart will play at William Jewell and Slaughter at the University of Central Missouri.

"Lynchburg is a 16-hour drive, but once Eli visited the campus I knew that's where he was going to go to college," Coach Herbert said. "It's a Christ-based school and the coaches and players really made him feel at home. That took all the anxiety away from me and my wife (Natasha).

Eli finished last season averaging 24.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks on his way to all-state honors for the 16-9 Eagles, who claimed the Suburban White Conference title with a 13-1 record and two wins over a strong Raytown team.

He was the Suburban White Conference Co-Player of the Year and a Missouri High School Basketball Coaches Association Class 6 All-State selection last season.

"Eli has great numbers, but the things I'm most proud of are his work ethic and team approach to the game," Coach Herbert added. "All he wants to do is win!"

Eli is excited about his senior season, which is right around the corner.

"I can't begin to think about college, because I'm about to start my senior season, and we have a lot of team goals to reach," Eli said. "Before I actually signed my national letter, it was like, 'Is this real? Is this really happening?' It's going to be great to play my final season with my dad. He means everything to me. We've had some great moments on the court and I can't thank him and my mom for all the sacrifices they made so today could happen"

As she neared the end of her final season of softball, Hart had no plans to play softball.

"Then I had this opportunity to play softball at William Jewell, and so many members of my family attended William Jewell (her bother Keagan is a defensive back for the Cardinals) and I couldn't say no. When you think your softball career is over, and unexpectedly you have an opportunity play collegiately, it's super exciting."

The Eagles are the only team - on any level of play - to hit for cycle, with each batter hitting a home run.

Hart started the remarkable accomplishment in a 13-run fourth inning of a 13-0 win over Fort Osage on Sept. 15 with a three-run homer. Sydnee Wagner followed with a grand slam, Abe Scott drilled a two-run homer and Addie Wright capped the unheard-of feat with an inside-the-park solo home run.

"I'll never forget that," Hart said. "The best part of it was sharing the accomplishment with three of my teammates."

Brandon Hart, who was the emcee of the signing day festivities, was proud to share the moment with his family.

"Today, I am a proud dad," Bradon Hart said. "I understand the sacrifices these players and their parents made. And I'm proud of Morgan and all our signees today."

Slaughter has been the premier metro area catcher for the past four years, and she is excited to take her catching skills to UCM.

"The last four years have been so much fun," said Slaughter, whose older sister Grace plays basketball at the University of Missouri, where she is one of the premier players in the SEC.

"I don't even know where the last four years have gone. Now that my softball career is over, it's exciting to take my game to the next level."

National Signing Day was a family affair for boys basketball coach Andy Herbert. He and his wife Natasha were joined by sons, from left, Isaac, Eli and Owen as they celebrate Eli's National Signing Day. Isaac is a freshman this season, Eli is a two-time player of the year and Owen is a former player who is now a basketball manager at the University of Missouri. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

Morgan Hart, left, whose father Brandon is the activities director at Grain Valley High School, shares a special moment with her cousin Olivia Slaughter as they each signed their national letters of intent at Friday's largest National Signing Day in the high school field house. Morgan will play at William Jewell and Slaughter will play at the University of Central Missouri. Photo credit: Bill Althaus