Saxony Lutheran boys volleyball now MSHSAA-affiliated

Saxony Lutheran boys volleyball is now in its third season as a program. However, it is in its first under the umbrella of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
“Before it became MSHSAA sanctioned, the people in charge of boys volleyball tried to run it as if it was a MSHSAA sport. They still did districts, quarterfinals and state, they still did all of the accolades for all districts and whatever,” Saxony coach Stephanie Brown said. “So nothing’s changed for us, we’re just out here playing and just trying to do the best that we can do.”
The Crusaders are coming off a district title from last season and started this year strong. Saxony defeated Collinsville, Ill. and Fox High Schools convincingly. This past weekend, Saxony competed in a tournament in Belleville East and did well.
Brown said last season the team finished 12th in the tournament and this year improved to finish sixth out of 16 teams.
“We just keep improving and that’s all we can ask for,” Brown said. “We are only three years into the program and some of these teams have been playing for decades.”
Many of the teams the Crusaders face are based out of St. Louis and Illnois, and have players who play all year-round.
“We are just the opposite,” Brown said. “My varsity has only three players who play club volleyball. On the JV I’m not sure that we have any.”

Brown is looking for her two seniors Luke Eggemeyer and Dalton Head to lead the squad this season.
Brown also looks for sophomre setter Johnathan Palmer to do well. She is also looing for juniors Seth Mueller and Mason Lohmann to contribute this season.
“I’m really excited for the season and for us to keep getting better,” she said. “We’ve had two games and this tournament and we keep working on the little things we know we need to be better at.”
Brown also coaches the Saxony Lutheran girls volleyball team, and she said there is one major difference she sess between the two sports.
“The biggest difference is that the boys go off their sheer atheltic ability that they have,” Brown said. “Some of these kids just started playing the sport, where girls have been playing forever. It’s a different ball game and like comparing apple to oranges.”
Brown believes the program will continue to grow in the coming years. Out of the 20 kids she has on the roster, 10 of them are freshmen.
“I say we will continue to grow and bring those kids in,” she said.