For the sixth straight year, Park Hill South put a representative on the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state team, but the Panthers didn’t have just one.

Citizen file photo
Park Hill South senior setter Allison Sadler made the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state list in Class 4.

A return to the playoffs that ended with a close loss in the Class 4 quarterfinals helped garner three selections. Allison Sadler, a senior setter, made the first team, while middle blocker Annika Welty made the second team. Both were first-time selections.

Andi Elley, a four-year contributor, made the Class 4 list for a second straight year, making honorable mention after being a second-team pick in 2015.

Park Hill South’s trio of all-staters helped forge one of the best seasons in program history. The playoff run ended with a three-set loss to St. Teresa’s Academy in the quarterfinals.

Sadler, who became a full-time starter as a junior, turned in an all-around year from her setter spot. She finished with 709 assists and averaged 10 per set while also ranking second in blocks (22) and service aces (26) and fourth in digs (188) and kills (96).

Welty led Park Hill South in kills (263) and blocks (47), including 46 solo blocks. The 6-foot-3 junior also contributed 21 service aces.

Elley, the only senior to play in the 2013 state championship match for Park Hill South, took on a different role and played more defense than in previous seasons. She still ranked second in kills (253), a number boosted when fellow senior outside hitter Bri Bartosh missed a few matches with an ankle injury, while topping the Panthers for service aces (32).

Citizen file photo
Park Hill South senior Andi Elley (12) made the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state list in Class 4 for a second straight season.

Like Sadler a multi-faceted player, Elley’s 285 digs came in just four behind fellow senior Emily Day for the team-high, while Elley also had team-high 422 serve receptions compared to just 26 errors.

Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Park Hill South’s season ended against the same stubborn opponent for a second straight season. The Panthers went 31-2-1, opening with 15 straight wins before a loss to Pleasant Hill in the Lee’s Summit North Bronco Invitational. They then won 16 more in a row, including the Class 4 District 16 title and a sectional vs. Lee’s Summit.

Park Hill South reached the state semifinals in 2013 when the five-player senior class was freshmen. The Panthers went to the district title game in 2014 and 2015, losing to St. Teresa’s Academy in the latter.

The two teams were split into separate districts this season, leading to their playoff meeting.

VOLLEYBALL POSTSEASON HONORS

MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE

Class 4

First team

Allison Sadler, sr., Park Hill South

Citizen file photo
Park Hill South junior middle blocker Annika Welty made the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state list in Class 4, one of three selections for the Panthers after a 31-2-1 season.

Second team

Annika Welty, jr., Park Hill South

Honorable mention

Andi Elley, sr., Park Hill South

MHSVCA ALL-KANSAS CITY/NORTHWEST REGION

Class 4

First team

Andi Elley, sr., Park Hill South; Allison Sadler, sr., Park Hill South; Annika Welty, jr., Park Hill South; Kai Welsh, jr., Park Hill

Second team

Bri Bartosh, sr., Park Hill South

Honorable mention

Carli Hensley, so., Platte County

Class 1

Second team

Jordan Schultz, sr., West Platte; Nealie Niemeier, sr., West Platte

ALL-CLASS 4 DISTRICT 16

First team

Annika Welty, jr., Park Hill South; Andi Elley, sr., Park Hill South; Allison Sadler, sr., Park Hill South; Sarah Knight sr., Park Hill South; Kai Welsh, jr., Park Hill; Rachel Pella, so., Park Hill

Second team

Chelsea Edwards, sr., Park Hill; Kayla Huffman, jr., Park Hill; Emily Day, sr., Park Hill South

ALL-CLASS 1 DISTRICT 15

Second team

Nealie Niemeier, sr., West Platte

ALL-SUBURBAN CONFERENCE GOLD DIVISION

First team

Kai Welsh, jr., Park Hill

Second team

Kayla Huffman, jr., Park Hill

ALL-SUBURBAN CONFERENCE RED DIVISION

First team