As they get ready for a Wednesday Class 1 state semifinal showdown against Billings, the Rock Port Blue Jays volleyball squad stands just a pair of victories away from capturing unprecedented school history.
Entering the Final Four with a 35-4 record following a commanding 3-0 postseason sweep over Osceola with set scores of 25-13, 25-14, and 25-13, the Blue Jays arrive in St. Joseph. For Rock Port, this week marks the program’s return to the Final Four, which it last reached in 1993, when the Blue Jays finished fourth.
Head coach Stephanie Parsons attributes the deep postseason run to a collective approach rather than reliance on any single individual.
It’s not any particular thing right now that’s going super well, it’s the fact that the whole team is clicking. I really work on a team-first mentality, and it takes a whole unit to make a good team into a great team. I think that’s exactly where the girls are, and they’ve really bought into that.
Throughout the lineup, contributors have emerged across every rotation. Raylynn Jenkins, Leah Meyerkorth, and Presley Carlson anchor the team’s pressure from the service line, while Carlson and Tatum Vogler provide foundational defensive support. On the offensive side, Stevie Gaines, Kinley Lair, Reese Herron, and Braylon Wood convert scoring opportunities generated by the team’s reliable passing and setting execution.
Wednesday’s opponent presents a stern test. Billings enters the semifinal contest with a 33-3 record, anchored by senior leader Alexa Garbee. Garbee dictates play across multiple roles for the Wildcats, racking up 667 kills while also contributing 467 assists, ranking second on her squad in that category.
{Garbee} is a senior leader who touches the ball on every single rally, whether it’s as a setter or as their outside hitter. I think that senior leader is going to put some pressure on us, so that’ll be something we’ll be focusing on, Parsons said.
Rather than attempting to neutralize the Billings standout by forcing her out of rhythm, Rock Port plans to emphasize disciplined defensive positioning, securing block touches, and anticipating attack angles. Offensively, the Blue Jays intend to lean into their established tempo.
Parsons highlighted the team’s tactical philosophy, pointing to their swift offensive pace and ability to prevent opponents’ defenses from settling by executing a tempo-driven game. Maintaining our own speed and competing at our standard has made having a tempo immensely beneficial, she added.
Wednesday’s broadcast begins at 2:00 PM on KMA FM 99.1, with Trevor Maeder calling the action for KMA Sports.
Parsons noted that simply reaching the Final Four is a wonderful achievement, though it certainly does not signify the end of their journey. You can go out there and want more, maybe set a goal to be the best team. When people think of Rock Port volleyball, maybe they’ll think of 2026 instead of 1993.
