OLATHE, Kan. — The Olathe North Girls Soccer team was looking forward to a promising 2020 season, only to find themselves without a season at all.
After going 10-5-1 last year, the Lady Eagles’ eight seniors were eager to take their team to regionals.
“We put in so much preparation to this season that it didn’t even sink in for while... like, ‘Woah, this is over and it hadn’t even started,” Senior Captain Jaycie Campbell said.
Although unfinished business will remain just that, the girls hold onto the memories made with one another. The eagles are much more than teammates – they're family.
Senior Captain Brooke Clark said there was no divide between levels of play.
“It’s not even just like Varsity has their own family and like JV and C team,” Clark said. “It’s just like all of us, like we all get to, like, be together, and I think that’s really cool.”
Head Coach Craig Gerfen said that bond is what makes the team special.
“We make it feel like a family,” Gerfen said, “because at the end of the day, it’s more than just soccer. It’s about life – Teaching the girl’s resiliency and how amazing they are as not only players but as human beings.”
All four years, the seniors earned the United Soccer Coaches Association "All-Academic Team" award from Olathe North High School.
Gerfen shared the following accolades for each graduating senior:
No. 6 Allison Dunn has been a true warrior every year playing at North. She will be attending Washburn University in the fall.
No. 8 Kennia Acuna-Soto defines resiliency and works extremely hard on the field. She will be playing in the fall at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
No. 20 Autumn Wright is not only an amazing soccer player, but she also is involved in cheerleading and will be cheering at Mid-America Nazarene University in the fall.
No. 2 Kylie Volavongsa is small in stature, but a beast on the field. Kylie was accepted to, and will attend Yale University in the fall.
No. 16 Amaris Sigler is an all-around versatile player for the Lady Eagles and will be playing in the fall at Avila University.
No. 21 Captain Brooke Clark shows up everyday ready to compete and never gives up on her goals. She will be playing this fall at Southwest Baptist University.
No. 3 Captain Jaycie Campbell is a true warrior overcoming an ACL tear during her tenure at North and still coming back to compete at the highest level. She will be playing at Ottawa University in the fall.
No. 15 Captain Hannah Stirling is a generational talent and truly leads by example on and off the field. She will be playing in the fall at Northwest Missouri State University.
