Slipping from 23 wins in 2023 to nine in 2024, Neosho County Panthers volleyball coach Lisiane Matsdorff refocused her recruiting efforts in the offseason.
“My first two seasons here at Neosho County were really good. Last season, it showed me that I need to do a better job of recruiting,” Matsdorff said. “Our conference is strong. It’s insane. So you can’t stop recruiting. And I need to have more options. We have to overcome with more work during the spring. I wanted to have the freshmen bond more. So last year helped me be more humble.”
Neosho County finished 9-23 last year and exited the postseason in the first round with a 3-1 loss to Johnson County.
In the offseason, the returning sophomores buckled down to shift the trajectory.
“Last year, our freshmen, now our sophomores, said they wanted to stay and be the leaders we needed,” Matsdorff said. “We lacked a little leadership last year. This group wants to be good role models. They’ve put in a lot of work. They’ve put a lot on their shoulders.”
Bailey Owens out of Joplin is the leading returning attacker for the Panthers, tallying 235 kills. She maintained a .166 kill percentage a year ago.
Jenna Monroe from Kansas City, Missouri, led the Panthers a year ago with 329 digs. She also tacked on 73 assists.
“In the spring, she improved her skills a lot,” Matsdorff said. “She was the first one that stepped up and showed leadership. She’s open to execute any role that I need from her.”
Sarah Wehrli also returns after notching 232 digs last fall to complement the back line.
Neosho County has two in-county players on its roster this year.
Jakiya Brown from Chanute offers a versatile skillset for the Panthers.
“She was on my club for two years,” Matsdorff said. “She’s working to be more versatile. She can play a lot of positions and she can really help our team in the best way possible.”
Makenzie LaRue from Erie projects to be a valuable asset at the net for Neosho County.
“I’ve known her for a long time. She’s come to camps here and I’ve followed her at her games in high school,” Matsdorff said. “She always hoped to come here. She’s an important player for us. We’re working with her at as a right side. Her block is amazing.”
Others comprising the Panthers’ roster include Tessie Kooistra (Oegstgeest, Netherlands), Allison Clevenger (Clearwater), Heather Frank (Cheyenne, Wyoming), Ella Bryan (Fayetteville, Arkansas), Kasidee Alverson (Mulvane), Brooke Galey (Garnett), Jip Van Uden (Veghel, Netherlands), Katelyn McKain (Louisburg), Trinity Collette (Centerton, Arkansas), Emma Wheatley (Bentonville, Arkansas), Scarlett Frace (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) and Sara Marzinot (Monza, Italy).
The Panthers were picked to finish sixth in the preseason KJCCC poll.
Cowley, the reigning national champions, are the preseason favorites to win the conference. Johnson County is pegged to finish second, followed by Kansas City Kansas, Allen, Highland, Neosho County and Labette. Coffeyville, Fort Scott and Independence are all tied to finish eighth.
“Last year was a difficult season. But we’re in a conference with Cowley, who were the national champions,” Matsdorff said. “We want to recover our position in the conference. Two years ago, we were in the top four in the conference. We want to be one of those teams this year. But our plan is to try and win the conference and make it to nationals. That’s our goal.”
