By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Kickapoo senior Kya Johnson began her high school career as a powerful outside hitter.
But an injury led to a drastic position change.
Entering her sophomore year, Johnson moved to the back row.
“At first, I wasn’t happy with it,” Johnson said. “The big hitters, they get to score the points and get all the fame. It took me a while to get used to that.”
Johnson ultimately embraced her new role, becoming a defensive standout for one of the area’s best teams.
She hit a career milestone Monday night, recording her 1,000th career dig in Kickapoo’s 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-16, 25-17) over Glendale.
“If you would’ve told me my freshman year that I would’ve (achieved) this, I never would’ve believed it,” said Johnson, a libero and 2022 all-state selection. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. I’m grateful that they’re there for me and making me better every day in practice.”
Kickapoo, which won the Springfield Classic over the weekend, appears to be rounding into championship form again. The Chiefs finished as Class 5 state runner-up last season.
“We always want to make more memories,” said Kickapoo coach Marci Adams. “We want to win the next (match). Another run would mean a lot, but we’re enjoying the journey right now.”
With Monday’s result, Kickapoo (18-4 overall) has now won eight straight matches against their southside rivals.
The last time Glendale beat Kickapoo – late in the 2016 season – also marked Kickapoo’s last conference defeat, according to MSHSAA records.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
Kickapoo has won 60 straight matches against conference opponents.
“Glendale’s always a big rivalry game, so this means a lot,” Johnson said. “Having our student section here supporting us really means that world to our team.”
The visiting Chiefs seized control from the start against an upset-minded Glendale squad. Kickapoo was first to 15 in all three sets and never relinquished the lead.
“We’ve been working on our consistency and trying to stay in a high-enough energy level that we can maintain for an entire match,” Adams said. “It’s driven by our ball control, our serve receive and serves. I thought we did a nice job with that tonight.
Hannah Gardner and Bella Faria led Kickapoo in kills with 10 and nine, respectively. Three other Kickapoo players had four or more kills.
Senior setter Reagan Greenway tallied 25 assists. Johnson finished with 15 digs on her milestone night.
“(A 1,000 digs) is quite a milestone, so we’re happy for her,” Adams said. “Not just for the player she is on the back row, but the culture she brings to our program.”
Glendale, in front of an energized student section, played its best in the first set. The Falcons were trying to become the first conference school to win a set against the Chiefs since Central did so in the 2021 regular season finale.
“I felt like we came out strong and were ready to play,” said Glendale coach Iceley Stieb. “We definitely have some little things that we need to fine-tune, but hopefully we get a second chance at (Kickapoo). If we fix those little fundamentals, we’re right there.”
The Falcons added a new piece to their team over the weekend as senior Coco Buschhorn (S/RS), a Central transfer, was deemed eligible to play by MSHSAA.
“We’re testing the waters right now, seeing what kind of lineup will work for us,” Stieb said. “We may switch lineups every game. She’s a versatile player, so she’ll fit right in with the team.”
Kickapoo travels to Lebanon on Tuesday night. Glendale (9-5 overall) plays at Rolla the same night.
With a strong finish in the second half of the season, Glendale could reach 20 wins for the first time since 2015.
