Even though the Montgomery County volleyball team didn’t celebrate a winning season this fall, there was a bright spot for the Wildcats.

Their senior trio of Ava Rakers, Avery Leu and Alexis Ramo shined throughout the 2024 season. Ramo earned first-team all-Eastern Missouri Conference and Class 2, District 5 honors, Leu was voted on the second team on both all-EMO and all-District 5 lists and Rakers was selected on the second team of the all-district list.

Ramo led the Wildcats in kills (163) and blocks (20). She finished with a season-high 17 kills in a five-game loss to Bowling Green on Sept. 10.
Rakers was MCHS’ leader in digs with 233. She recorded a career-high 35 digs in the Wildcats’ five-game victory over Bowling Green on Oct. 10.

Leu was second on the team in kills (84) and digs (182). She had 29 digs in the match against Bowling Green on Sept. 10.

Despite the strong efforts from the seniors, the Wildcats finished with their first 20-loss season since 2012. MCHS lost its first six matches of the season and went on to finish with a 4-20-1 record.

The Wildcats’ season ended on Oct. 23 with a four-game loss to Whitfield in the district semifinals at Duchesne High School. MCHS was the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

Also, the Wildcats’ six-year run as EMO champions came to an end this year. They lost their first three matches and finished with a 4-4 record in league play. Their 49-match conference winning streak ended with the loss to North Callaway on Sept. 5 on the road.

MCHS defeated North Callaway, Wright City, Bowling Green and Centralia for its only victories of the season. All of them were at home.

The Wildcats defeated North Callaway in three games on Sept. 19 for their first win of the season after going on an 0-6 start. A week later, they beat Wright City in four games for their second victory. MCHS defeated Bowling Green in its senior night match on Oct. 10 for its third win. The Wildcats topped Centralia – this year’s EMO champion – in their home finale on Oct. 17.

Leu, Rakers and Ramo led a team that had six players who participated in varsity for the first time. They were the only returning players from last year’s squad that finished 12-12-4.

The other players on the squad were junior Kylie Powell, sophomores Aubrey Janes, Khloe Kribbs and Megan Pierson and freshmen Kiera and Mieka Ray-Wise.

Janes led the Wildcats in assists with 356. She finished with a season-high 23 assists against Tolton Catholic on Sept. 24.