Team of the Week: Olathe West girls volleyball

OLATHE, Kan. — The volleyball world’s next big thing could come from one Johnson County, Kansas high school.

Olathe West’s volleyball team is turning heads, and standing tall among their notable neighbors. The Owls use a high-powered offense, while rocking practice uniforms that read “Still We Rise” on the backs.

Amy Hoffsommer’s team enters Thursday with with 16-3 record. This school isn’t known as being a traditional volleyball success story, but the wins are adding up anyway, since they’re playing like every moment matters.

“This is our night where we have top play and we’re going to give it our best. If this is your last night to play volleyball, what would we look like. What would you want that to be?” Hoffsommer said, explaining her team’s mentality.

The Owls won the Sunflower League for the first time last season, meaning the stage could be set for this year.

“It’s been really cool going in and being the underdog sometimes. It’s been super fun. It gives that competitive side for us instead of being the top dog, and knocking teams off over the years,” Ella Stowell, Owls outside hitter, said.

“Even some of the students who have come to our games — they say, volleyball games are actually fun to watch. I think we just bring the energy through our offense and our defense too,” Emma Sales, Olathe West’s right side setter, said on Wednesday.

The Owls offense is more than some opponents can handle. This team has played 45 sets this season, and lost only nine of them. This school opened eight years ago, and its first state volleyball championship feels like its getting closer.

Olathe West hosts Shawnee Mission West on Thursday night. This program is hopeful to play in the KSHSAA Class 6A Volleyball Tournament for the first time. That’s scheduled for the first weekend in November in Salina.

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