photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore outside hitter Macy Saunders starts to jump for a kill in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

Despite Lawrence volleyball’s 3-0 loss at home to Shawnee Mission Northwest, Lawrence coach Deborah Newkirk was pleased with the team’s swagger, saying “they looked like they were up 10 the whole time.”

“They are confident because they know they have the skills and ability, it’s just getting it to all mesh,” Newkirk said. “If each one of us cleaned up one error, if each one of us set one more ball down, set one more ball inbounds… and we will do it. This team is on a mission.”

The Lions have struggled in the early weeks of the season to pull together wins, but the team has continued to bring confidence and a good team atmosphere, which is needed in order to keep growing as a team in the way Newkirk hopes they do.

“The common thread is how important it is that we keep each other in good spirits,” Newkirk said. “We’re learning what it’s going to take (to win).”

The Cougars came in with what Newkirk said was one of the best topspin servers she’s seen, creating a unique challenge for the Lions in their serve receive.

“Those are hard to replicate, sometimes, but you only have to have two topspins like that to make it really challenging,” Newkirk said. “Hats off to their program. That stung us tonight.”

The Cougars took an early lead in the first set, going up 7-3. The Lions found some footing, thanks to some strong kills by senior middle blocker Anabel Berger and junior Rael Simien, and pushed the score to a 10-8 Shawnee Mission Northwest lead.

“A big reason why that line is strong is because of the back row,” Newkirk said. “Our libero, our defensive specialist — we’re just solid, and we get a lot of balls up to our setters.”

The Cougars maintained the lead for most of the set, but the Lions were right on their heels. The Lions tied the game at 13-13, forcing the Cougars to call a timeout. The next 10 points went to both teams equally, and it wasn’t until after an 18-18 tie that the Cougars were able to regain a strong lead. They finished the set 7-2 after the 18-all tie, winning the set 25-20.

Lawrence took a lead for the first time in the game early in the second set but wasn’t able to maintain it. Still, the Lions held the Cougars close for the first 12 points of the game. After a 6-6 tie, the Cougars rattled off four-straight points to take a 10-6 lead and force the Lions to call timeout. From there, the Cougars outscored the Lions 15-8 to win the set 25-14.

The Lions earned the first point of the third set with an ace from sophomore Libby English, while the Lions built their strongest lead of the night, leading 9-5 after the first 14 points of the set. The Cougars responded with a 9-3 run that spurred a timeout from Lawrence. The Cougars held the lead the rest of the way, although the Lions gave a late push, scoring three points to cut the lead to 24-21 late. The Cougars scored on the ensuing set point, winning the game three sets to none.

Newkirk said the team has gone through a few line changes as the Lions work to find the right formula to win. While the results haven’t been what the team has hoped for so far, the demeanor of the team has remained positive, with Newkirk being able to take a step back and let the leaders keep everyone’s spirits high.

After spending the first few weeks mostly on the road, the Lions will have a lot more home duals against Sunflower League opponents over the next month. Newkirk said when competing against the league, “you have to be nearly perfect,” and that the Lions are working to transition their good practice habits and skill onto the court during duals.

“I just want to see them continue doing what they’re doing,” Newkirk said. “We’re going to applaud all the good things we’re doing, but we also need to fine tune defense, work a little harder on reads and making sure we’re coming in clear on what we believe they’re swinging.”

Lawrence hits the road for a Thursday dual against Shawnee Mission North but will be home for duals on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior outside hitter Rael Simien jumps for a kill in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior libero Selah Simien shouts in celebration after a point in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore defensive specialist Ayana Polite, left, and senior Elsie Crawford watch for a serve in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore outside hitter Marianna Hickman runs across the court in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence volleyball team celebrates after a point in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior setter Nyah Everhart sets the ball to a teammate in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior outside hitter Rael Simien bumps a ball over the net in a 3-0 loss to Shawnee Mission Northwest at Lawrence High on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Lawrence.