Two all-state players join Lady Blues volleyball team for fall 2007
April 11, 2007

Head coach Chris Herron announced Wednesday that two all-state players have signed national letters of intent to attend Washburn and play volleyball this fall. Kansas native Molly Smith, a second team all-state libero from Overland Park’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and Anna Simpson-Mills, a first team all-state hitter from Littleton High School in Littleton, Colorado, increase Herron’s recruiting class to four after signing a pair in the November early period.

“We’re real excited to get two great players of this quality,” said Herron. “Getting them to sign in the spring period was great because they had opportunities to go to several other places.”

Smith is a two-time state champion who earned second team all-state honors last season by the Kansas Volleyball Association.

“In my opinion, Molly is one of the best ball controllers in the Kansas City area,” said Herron. “She was state champion and the defensive MVP in her league. She’s a tremendous athlete who could have played soccer at a high level so we’re glad to have her here.”

Simpson-Mills had a strong finish to her high school career. She was named to the all-state team her final two years and garnered team MVP both those years.

“The Good thing about Anna is she’s a lefty who has great ball control and can play defense,” said Herron. “She’s a six-rotation kind of player.”

Topekan Caitlin Conley and Roeland Park, Kansas, native Ali Ward each signed in November during the early period.

“All four players are going to make a big impact for us. What we’re bringing in this year more than makes up for what we lost last year,” said Herron.

Washburn lost just two players to graduation after last year’s squad went 27-9, won the MIAA West Division and advanced to its fourth NCAA tournament in five years.

Anna Simpson-Mills • 6-0 • Fr. • OH/RH • Littleton HS • Littleton, Colo.
Lettered in volleyball for four years for the Lions…her senior year she earned first team all-state and her junior year she earned second team all-state…she was a first team all-league selection her final two years, a second team selection her sophomore year and an honorable mention her freshman year…she was named team MVP her final two seasons.

Molly Smith • 5-5 • Fr. • Libero • St. Thomas Aquinas HS • Overland Park, Kan.
Lettered in volleyball for three years and helped her team to a state championship her senior year and a third-place finish her sophomore year…earned second team all-state and second team all-Sun Country her senior year…named to the state all-tournament team her final season…was named defensive player of the year in the Eastern Kansas League her junior year…her junior year she earned first team all-Eastern Kansas League and first team all-Sun Country honors…also lettered in soccer, earning two state titles and one runner-up finish…her 2005 team was state champion and ranked second in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.