St. Pius Volleyball Sets Sights on Return to State Contender Status

Logo courtesy of the school

(Festus) The St. Pius Lancers have become one of the gold standards for Missouri high school volleyball. But living up to your own high expectations can be a challenge. A program that made 9 Finals 4s and won 3 state championships from 2010 to 2019 won 22 matches and another district title last season. But a loss to the Farmington Knights in the Class 4 state sectionals represented to head coach Shannon Leftridge that’s there still room to grow.

Hannah Leftridge is ready to build off her spectacular debut season, earning all-state honors after posting 301 kills, 23 blocks, 44 serving aces and 240 digs. And Coach Leftridge says there’s nowhere to go but up for the super sophomore.

One of the program’s all-time leaders in kills in fellow all-state outside hitter Kennedy Lane has graduated. But the Lancers’ lone senior, Hanna Burch, showcased versatility from the setter position last season. Burch added 46 kills, 34 blocks, 47 aces and 183 digs. Leftridge says that Swiss-army-knife approach makes Burch one of their key weapons, on and off the court.

But it’s not as though the competition is going to roll over. Leftridge says getting back to their winning ways means the Lancers will go through one of their most difficult schedules yet.