Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Mikah Simpson

Shortly after her team wrapped up its victory in the Class 2 state championship game Scott City volleyball coach Haley Jennings joked that sophomore hitter Mikah Simpson had had a message for her senior teammates, who often talked of making the most of their final high school season.

"It's my sophomore season," Simpson would say, according to Jennings. "I don't want to lose during my sophomore season."

Simpson played a big role in making sure that didn't happen, finishing the state title game with a team-high 10 kills against Hermann.

A year ago, in the same game against the same team, Simpson had just one kill.

"She has made a 180 from last year," Jennings said. "And she was good last year. She's just gotten better, and as a coach, I couldn't ask for anything better. To see a player progress every year the way she has, it's amazing."

Simpson finished with 26 kills at the state tournament, good for second most for the Rams, meaning her junior and senior seasons have a chance of ending pretty well, too.