Clinton County athletes play big role in National Championship run

National Champs — The Blue Steel Black 16 squad accomplished a cherished feat by winning the National Championship in Indianapolis last weekend in Indiana. The mixture of Southern Illinois talent went 11-0 in their matches where they dropped just one set in the title game for the flawless run. Pictured in the front row are (from left): Kylie Kloess, Kendall Kloess, Sophia Thole and Bristol Kloess. Middle row: Kinze Reese, Peyton Kreher, Madi Redman, Abby Kuhl, and Bailey Seibert. Back row: Lela Stinson, Harper Whitworth, Lulu Stepping, Bailey Gebke, Adrienne Rakers, and Haleigh Klostermann.    The Blue Steel Volleyball Club’s 16 Black team capped an unforgettable season by winning the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in Indianapolis last weekend, completing an unbeaten 11-0 run and bringing home a national title that players, coaches and families will remember for years to come.
    Facing some of the top 16-and-under teams from across the country, Blue Steel entered the tournament with confidence after a strong club season. That confidence only grew as the weekend progressed. Match after match, the Metro East squad showcased its trademark combination of aggressive serving, relentless defense and balanced offensive attack to overwhelm the competition.
    “Earning a bid to play in the National tournament is no easy feat, and this team has earned their way four years straight,” said head coach Brooke Kloess. “Two years ago, they were the first Blue Steel team to make it to the podium by earning the bronze medal. Last year, they fell just short and placed fifth overall.”
    The championship run began with a perfect opening day that established Blue Steel as one of the tournament favorites. 
    The team carried that momentum through bracket play, continuing to raise its level against increasingly difficult opponents. Every player contributed throughout the tournament, whether with timely kills, key blocks, clutch digs or steady play from the service line.
    By the time championship day arrived, Blue Steel had developed the poise of a seasoned contender. Rather than allowing the pressure of the national stage to affect them, the players embraced the opportunity. Their communication, hustle and teamwork were evident throughout the title match, as they executed in the biggest moments to secure the championship.
    The undefeated 11-0 record reflects not only the team’s talent but also its consistency. 
    “Their goal was to earn a National title this year, and they stayed committed to that the whole way through. We went a perfect 11-0,” said Kloess.  “These girls are blessed with the physical ability to play at the highest level, but what makes them special is their bond: both players and families. They’re selfless, supportive, and show up for each other.”
    Winning a national tournament requires navigating multiple days of competition against elite opponents, making adjustments from match to match and maintaining both physical and mental focus.  They lost only one set in the entire tournament, which came in the title match.
    Blue Steel accomplished all of those challenges while never suffering a defeat in a match.
    The championship serves as another milestone for Blue Steel Volleyball Club, which has become one of the premier programs in the St. Louis Metro East region. The club has built its reputation by developing athletes capable of competing with the nation’s best, and the 16 Black squad reinforced that reputation with its remarkable performance in Indianapolis.
    Behind every successful club team is a dedicated coaching staff and supportive families who invest countless hours in practices, travel and tournaments. Their commitment helped create an environment where the athletes could develop their skills while learning the value of teamwork, accountability and perseverance.
    For the players, the championship represents the reward for months of hard work. From preseason workouts to weekend tournaments and countless practice sessions, every hour of preparation helped lay the foundation for their championship performance. 
    Those experiences—and the friendships formed along the way—will remain long after the medals and trophy have been put away.
    As Blue Steel celebrated on the court in Indianapolis, the players proudly held the national championship trophy while knowing they had accomplished something few teams ever achieve. Finishing the tournament undefeated against the nation’s best is an extraordinary feat, and the 2026 Blue Steel 16 Black team has secured its place in club history as national champions.
    “It is absolutely this team’s team chemistry that separates them from everyone else. No matter the situation, they never got rattled and stayed confident in their abilities & each other,” concluded Kloess.  “Most people who aren’t in the ‘volleyball world’ don’t quite understand how huge of an accomplishment this is, but these girls just proved themselves to be one of the top teams in the entire country.  It’s an insanely difficult goal to reach, but I’m not surprised THIS was the group to accomplish it. Winning a National Championship is something they will carry with them for a lifetime.” 
    Members of the squad were Lela Stinson (Belleville West), Harper Whitworth (Mascoutah), Lulu Stepping (Freeburg), Bailey Gebke (Breese Central), Adrienne Rakers (Mater Dei), Haleigh Klostermann (Mater Dei), Kinze Reese (Mascoutah), Peyton Kreher (Red Bud), Madi Redman (Breese Central), Abby Kuhl (Mater Dei), and Bailey Seibert (Mascoutah).
    Redman earned All-Tournament honors while Reese earned the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award.