Senior Volleyball Players Honored at Eureka

Three senior varsity volleyball athletes were honored at Eureka High School last Thursday prior to playing the last game of the regular season against Nerinx Hall High School.

The pregame festivities included each player receiving flowers and being accompanied by their families onto the court, which as decorated with Wildcat purple, gold and pink balloons (in observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month) as well costumized banners prepared by the other players. Postgame activities focused on enjoying cake, punch, snacks and stories in the team room.

Background highlights were announced for each senior by assistant principal Ann Gilman.

"The coaches would like to thank our seniors for being great role models on and off the court," said Gilman. "Your leadership, camaraderie, sportmanship and talent will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Best of luck in all your future endeavors. Enjoy every minute!"

Meet Eureka senior volleyball player KORISSA MANLEY:

Thursday night, Manley was escorted by her parents, Eric and Dawn, and her siblings, Kasey, Konner and Katerina. She has played volleyball since she was 11 years old, and has been a member of Eureka's varsity team for two years. She also plays for Parkway Lightning Volleyball Club.

Her favorite Eureka volleyball memory was bonding in Abby Schmidt's room during the Kansas City tournament, as well as "Shannon and Jaycee and 'The Blessing.'" The best match of her career was the championship match against Parkway North at the Winnetonka tournament.

She hopes to attend Colorado Christian University where she will study adventure and outdoor therapy. She thanked her parents for supporting her through the years and coming to all her games and tournaments.

She also reminded her teammates of Mia Hamm's inspirational words:  "Failure happens all the time. What makes you better is how you react to it."

Meet Eureka senior volleyball player HEATHER SMACK:

Smack was escorted by her parents, Chip and Beth, and her grandparents, Karen and Chuck. She has played volleyball since she was 8 years old, and has been a member of the varsity team for two seasons. She also plays club volleyball with Team Elite St. Louis.

Her favorite volleyball memory is doing front flips on top of volleyballs. The best match of her career was this year against Parkway North in the championship match of the Winnetonka tournament.

She currently is undecided on her college choice, but said she would like to study construction management and architecture.

She thanked her parents for supporting her through the years and for always being there. She also thanked her teammates for "an amazing four years."

Meet Eureka senior volleyball player ABBY SCHMIDT:

Schmidt was escorted by her mom Audra, her stepfather Jim, Grandma Rose, and her dad, Ed. She has played volleyball since she was 9 years old, and has been a member of Eureka's varsity team for three years. Past awards include Most Improved her freshman year. She plays for Parkway Lightning Volleyball Club.

Team sleepovers, inside jokes, wise turtle, "everyday I'm shufflin'" and "The Blessing" were her favorite volleyball memories. The best match of her career was against Incarnate Word during her junior year.

She plans to attend the University of Missouri to study special education.

She thanked her parents for being there for her and supporting her in all her decisions. To her teammates, she communicated:  "Never give up and never stop having fun. Enjoy your teammates and the sport because it goes by fast."

The varsity team is coached by Becky Stevenson and Mary Wisdom. Eureka team members beat Pacific High School Tuesday night in the first round of district playoffs.