Volleyball
Melissa Smith, head varsity coach
Melissa Smith played volleyball at Newman University. There she set a school record for solo blocks during her junior year, made the All-Conference team her junior and senior years, and was named an All-American as a senior. She continues to play competitively today as a middle hitter and has coached all three of her daughters at various ages.
Melissa’s coaching philosophy is centered around the concept of teamwork.
“No single person can win the game by herself. One-on-six is not fun!” she said with a laugh. “You have to encourage everybody to play to their full potential and work as a team, because you’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
Photos
Awards
State
2018 – 5th place
2017 – 3rd place
2013 – Runner-Up
Sub-State
2023 – Runner-Up
2021 – Runner-Up
2020 – Runner-Up
2018 – Champion
2017 – Champion
2015 – Runner-Up
2013 – Champion
2012 – Runner-Up
Regionals
2024 – Champion
League
2024 – Champion
2023 – Runner-Up
2021 – Champion
2019 – Runner-Up
2017 – Runner-Up
2013 – Champion
2014 Kansas Volleyball Association All-Star Squad (all classifications)
A. Friesen, J. Goscha
All-State Team
2020 – 1st team: A. Broadie
2019 – 1st team: A. Broadie
2018 – Honorable mention: A. Broadie
2017 – 2nd team: G. Golay
2016 – Honorable mention: G. Golay
2013 – 1st team: A. Friesen, J. Goscha, E. Hilgenfeld
State All-Tournament Team
2018 – A. Broadie
2017 – M. Peterson, A. Sawyer
2013 – A. Friesen, J. Goscha, E. Hilgenfeld
All-Metro Team
(Wichita Eagle selections)
2023 – 2nd team: E. Davis, R. Allen, 2nd team
2021 – 1st team: L. Cary; 2nd team: S. Graham
2020 – 1st team: A. Broadie
All-League Team –
(Selected by Central Plains League coaches)
2024 – First team – S. Illian, A. Smith, R. Allen; second team – E. Davis, G. Barrett
2023 – First team – R. Allen, E. Davis; second team – A. Smith; honorable mention – A. Deutsch
2021 – First team – L. Cary, S. Graham; second team – K. Koster; honorable mention – B. Dixon
2020 – First team – A. Sawyer, A. Broadie; second team – L. Cary; honorable mention – S. Graham
2019 – First team – A. Broadie; second team – A. Sawyer, L. Mathews; honorable mention – L. Cary
2018 – First team – A. Broadie; second team – M. Peterson; A. Sawyer; honorable mention – L. Mathews
2017 – First team – G. Golay; second team – A. Broadie, H. Troutman, M. Peterson; honorable mention – M. Spencer
2016 – First team – G. Golay; honorable mention – H. Troutman, M. Peterson
2015 – Second team – K. Schrag, G. Golay; honorable mention – M. Spencer
2014 – Second team – K. Schrag
2013 – First team – A. Friesen, J. Goscha; second team – E. Hilgenfeld, T. Billings; honorable mention – K. Miller
2012 – First team – A. Friesen; second team – J. Goscha; honorable mention – T. Billings
2011 – First team – M. Goscha; second team – A. Friesen; honorable mention – J. Goscha
2010 – First team – M. Goscha, honorable mention – L. Manning, Miranda Alfers
2009 – Honorable mention – M. Goscha, L. Manning, M. Alfers
2008 – Second team – B. Fields; honorable mention – M. Holick, M. Goscha
Kansas Volleyball Association Team Academic Award
Awarded to varsity volleyball teams in Kansas that have a combined GPA of 3.3 or above.
2018-2019
2015-2016
2013-2014
2012-2013