High school volleyball: Clarkton’s Cowart, Winchester earn all-state accolades

COLUMBIA — Two Clarkton High School players earned all-state honors by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association.

That’s as a result of voting, which took place on Monday at the Stoney Creek Hotel.

Reindeer senior outside hitter Bree Winchester and junior setter Brinley Cowart both were named to the Class 1 all-state team.

Clarkton High School junior setter Brinley Cowart (7) prepares to set the ball for teammate Kaylee Youngblood during a regular-season match versus North Pemiscot from September. The Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association recently named Cowart a Class 1 all-state selection. She has racked up 2,811 assists through her first three years of high school. (File photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“Having not only one, but two players eligible for all-state honors, and making it is so awesome (for us),” Clarkton head coach Amy Cowart said in a Facebook message to the Delta Dunklin Democrat.

Keep in mind, every player who achieves first-team, all-district honors is eligible for all-state consideration.

“Players must put up stats that are comparable to the best in the state,” Cowart said.

Both Brinley Cowart and Winchester put up numbers that were ranked among the top-five in both assists and kills, respectively, in Class 1.

“Bree was ranked 15th in all five classes in total kills and Brinley was ranked fourth n all five classes for total assists,” Cowart noted.

Cowart said both girls attended nearly every weight training session since last November to become stronger performers.

Since transferring from Holcomb, Brinley Cowart and Winchester have formed a dynamic one-two punch — but coach Cowart noted the connection took time to develop.

“Of the last 10 games we played, Bree connected for 20-plus kills in five of those including the semifinals and finals of the Tri-County Conference tournament,” Cowart said, “and her last two games in the district tournament.”

Brinley Cowart averaged 9.4 assists per set this season, and has shown to be one of the most consistent players at her position.

Cowart has compiled 2,811 assists through three seasons as Clarkton’s starting varsity setter, including 996 during the 2023 season.

In other statistics, she scooped up a team second-best 311 digs, served 70 aces (.910 accuracy) and had 74 kills.

Winchester totaled 716 kills in two seasons with the Reindeer. Bree became a six-rotation player this year, and recorded a team-best 82 ace serves (.895), 223 digs and 14 solo ace blocks. Her hitting efficiency was .228, second best on the squad to Angel Johnson.

Undoubtedly, Winchester is a prospective college player. It’s all a matter of finding her a place to play at this point.

Cowart still has one season remaining to build on her eye-popping assist numbers.

VOLLEYBALL

ALL-STATE HONORS

Class 1 Team

Addison Carlton, Advance; Emma Eilers, Advance; Alexis Hoffman, Advance; Abigail Kennedy, Advance; Olivia Engeman, Appleton City; Madison Jines, Bell City; Brinley Cowart, Clarkton; Bree Winchester, Clarkton; Olivia Hemme, Concordia; Ava Mueller, Concordia; Tommi Martin, East Atchison; Demi Michler, Eminence; Bree Rice, Galena; Kaesha Walter, Galena; Neveah Washington, Green Ridge; Crystal Smith, Jasper; Shiloh Storm, Jasper; Aubri Meyer, New Haven; Gabby Meyer, Northwest (Hughesville); Karli Smith, Northwest (Hughesville); Grace Walker, Northwest (Hughesville); Reagan Howe, Oak Ridge; Jaydn Guerin, Osceola; Rylee Jenkins, Rock Port; Kameron Dankenbring, Santa Fe; Enzley Dinkins, South Iron; Anna Parker, South Iron; Emmy Gayle, South Iron; Lexi Lindsey, Winona; and Taylor Williams, Winona.