Ever since they played their first high school volleyball match on Sept. 3, 2020 at North Callaway High School, seniors Claire Cobb, Morgan Koch, Madi Polston, Olivia Shaw and Ellie Robinson have been valuable members for the Montgomery County volleyball team.

When they were freshmen, they helped the junior varsity team finish with a 12-3 record. They also helped the Wildcats varsity team win Eastern Missouri Conference titles in each of the last two years.

On Sept. 26, the seniors were recognized with their parents before a home match against St. Clair at Ballew & Snell Court. They also received gifts from the underclassmen.

“I was really looking forward to it,” Robinson said. “It was definitely going to be a fun game. I love volleyball. I played it all four years. It was definitely a good accomplishment to get this point for me and the other four seniors.”

St. Clair spoiled the Wildcats’ senior night with a come-from-behind, 25-22, 21-25, 15-25, 22-25 victory. In the fourth game, Robinson served an ace to tie the game at 21-21 before St. Clair rallied with a 4-1 run to win the match.

“I think we played good,” Polston said. “It was a tough team. I think we could have done better. We just struggled towards the end.”

The seniors will look to help the Wildcats win their sixth straight EMO title on Oct. 5, when they travel to Bowling Green in their conference finale. MCHS is 5-0 in league play.

The seniors are also setting their sights on helping their team enjoy a successful run in postseason play. The Wildcats will compete in the Class 2, District 6 tournament in Hermann later this month. Last year, they lost to Hermann in the district finals.

“I think we can get to the district championship,” Robinson said. “I think we have a really good chance of beating Hermann in the championship. This team took them to five and we’re right there with them. If we keep our progress going in practice, I think we can get there.”

Robinson said last year’s semifinal win over Tolton Catholic was the biggest highlight of her volleyball career. She finished with five kills, six service aces, 19 digs and 16 assists to help the Wildcats beat Tolton Catholic 26-24, 18-25, 25-20, 25-27 and 16-14.

“Last year was the craziest game of my season in the six years I played,” Robinson said. “That game went five sets. Every set was within two or three points of each other. The atmosphere was great. The team was great. We had great confidence. It was a great game overall.”

The seniors were promoted to varsity when they were sophomores. Polston said the best part about the senior class is the strong chemistry.

“I think we mesh pretty good together,” Polston said. “We’ve been together for so long.”

Shaw is enjoying another strong season with the Wildcats. She’s leading the team in kills, blocks and digs. She earned all-district honors twice and was named to the all-conference team last fall. Shaw is also competing in cross country this fall.

Robinson is the Wildcats’ leader in assists. She has played setter since she was in seventh grade.

“Setting can be stressful,” Robinson said. “But in the right moments, it can be really fun. Setting the ball to Olivia is my favorite part of the game because I love seeing her smash it to the other team on a perfect set. I love being able to give my teammates the opportunity to get that point and get that kill and make themselves happy and so good.”

Polston finished with a season-high five kills against Bowling Green on Sept. 5 and a season-high 10 digs against New Haven two days later. Cobb, whose older sister Ella played for the volleyball program, had a pair of seven-kill performances against North Callaway on Aug. 31 and St. Louis Christian Academy on Sept. 18. Koch, who had three older sisters who played for the Wildcats, finished with a season-high seven kills against North Callaway on Sept. 14.

Polston said her team will continue to be successful after she and her four senior teammates graduate.

“I think if they work hard, get in the gym and try to get better, I think they’ll do just fine next year,” Polston said.