The 2021 Big 7 League volleyball season was the year of the Bluejays as Sabetha went 14-0 in league play to run away with the league title and 41-1 overall to capture the Class 3A State Championship.

Sabetha dominated the all-league postseason selections with four girls earning honors, but three of those players have graduated leaving just senior Emily Krebs as the only returner heading into the season.

The Nemaha Central Thunder won 10 league games last season and finished with three first-team all-league selections and now head into 2021 with junior Addy Holthaus back as the lone returner who may end up being one of the best players in the league.

Just like Nemaha Central, Royal Valley won 10 league matches last season and finished with three unanimous all-league selections but heading into this season all of those players are gone leaving several question marks.

The most experience coming back comes from Hiawatha who will bring back three first team all-league selections led by senior Sarah Madsen who was a unanimous selection last season along with fellow senior Clara Lindstrom and junior Josie Delaney.

Perry Lecompton also returns three all-league selections this season in seniors Kaitlyn Hurd and Allyson Baker along with sophomore Taylor Damme.

The Holton and Riverside squads each bring back one all-league player from last season as the Cats bring back senior Macey Gross while the Cyclones will have sophomore Taylor Weishaar who is going to be a star.

The league is rounded out by Jeff West who returns a pair of seniors in Mallory Young and Mellany Roene.

Three Big 7 League teams are set to open their seasons this Saturday as Royal Valley, Sabetha and Nemaha Central will be at the Marysville Invitational.