photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Anniston Clark jumps to spike the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Overland Park.

OVERLAND PARK — The Free State volleyball team continued its undefeated start on Thursday with a 3-0 road win over Shawnee Mission North.

The Firebirds dominated the first two sets, and even after allowing the Bison to take the lead in the third set, Free State battled back to finish the set on top.

Free State coach Joel Grillot said the match was an opportunity for the Firebirds to put some players in who hadn’t had many reps in the first few weeks of competition, and said that the team did well for the most part.

“When we make changes to our lineup and do some different things, we’ve got to have every single girl that we put in our lineup step up and do their job,” Grillot said. “We did an OK job with that, but I think that’s something where we can work on and improve.”

Free State’s offense was dominant in the match, starting with the serves and through the team’s hitting. The Firebirds have depth and talent at middle and outside hitter, and that showed up early in the game.

The Firebirds started with a 5-0 run thanks to strong serving from sophomore libero Brinley Whitney, and the Firebirds quickly pushed that lead to 10 points, leading to Shawnee Mission North’s first timeout. Senior middle hitter Anniston Clark scored the next point after the break on a decisive kill.

The Bison managed to get a few points under their belt and kept the lead to around 10 points, but the Firebirds prevented them from breaking into the lead and finished with a 25-14 win in the opening set.

The second set started closer with Free State holding a 4-3 lead through the first seven points, but the Firebirds soon took over and won nine of the next 10 points to take a commanding lead. Free State continued to push the lead up and won the second set 25-10.

Shawnee Mission North had its best set in the third and even took its first lead of the match. The set remained close as the Firebirds had a few uncharacteristic hitting errors that gave the Bison points and more offensive opportunities.

Grillot said it’s easy for teams to look to other players when there’s a bit of a lull instead of being the one to step up, take ownership and bring everyone together. Free State was able to refocus as a team in the third set and finish strong.

“The biggest thing is just remembering how we play and what our style of volleyball is,” Grillot said. “We’re strongest when we’re all flying on the court to the ball and getting touches and not letting anything drop.”

The Bison made it a 21-23 set before junior middle hitter Marlea Copeland got a kill and Clark finished the game with a kill.

Free State has a lot of savvy seniors, but Grillot has been impressed with the leadership of the team from oldest to youngest. The Firebirds have been able to overcome in-game lulls and finish sets consistently in their undefeated start.

“Some of the younger girls are starting to step up and do some nice things, not just physically with their play but emotionally with their voice,” Grillot said. “I challenge all 12 girls, and it doesn’t matter if you’re on the court or not, you’re part of the team and I want everyone to have ownership of what they’re doing.”

There’s a trust on the team that has developed from the leadership, and it’s translated into how successful the team has been on the court. Grillot said winning the Hays tournament at the start of the season was a springboard for the team to start hot and show what the Firebirds were capable of early, and the team has bought in from that point and pushed the Firebirds forward.

“The younger girls who are newer to this program see what’s possible, and they’re like, ‘OK, this might be a fun ride, so let’s get on board,'” Grillot said. “They’re buying into the things we’re saying and it’s translating into the way we’re playing.”

Free State will be at a six-team tournament at Olathe South High School on Saturday before hosting a triangular on Monday against Manhattan and Blue Valley Northwest. The Firebirds will continue Sunflower League play on Tuesday with a road match at Olathe Northwest.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brinley Whitney sets the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Overland Park.