Saxony's Eggemeyer wins inaugural boys VB Semoball Award

Luke Eggemeyer of Saxony Lutheran accepts the inaugural Boys Volleyball Athlete of the Year award from keynote speaker Brian Jordan at the Semoball Awards, presented by Mercy, on July 14, 2024.

Bailey Bagot ~ Silver Landing Photography

With boys volleyball becoming an MSHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2024, the Semoball Awards named a Boys Volleyball Athlete of the Year for the first time.

The inaugural award was won by Saxony Lutheran senior, Luke Eggemeyer who accepted the award at the 11th annual Semoball Awards on Friday, July 12, at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau.

Eggemeyer, who is a three-sport athlete for the Crusaders said it was an honor to win even though not a lot of area schools play the sport.

“There’s not very much to pick from with the two schools that have it[boys volleyball] but the sport is growing in popularity,” Eggemeyer said. “It does feel pretty good to win and hopefully more schools will have it in the future.”

Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, the area’s premier awards show recognizing student-athletes and coaches in Southeast Missouri.

Eggemeyer led the Crusaders in multiple categories on both offense and defense, including 206 kills, 113 digs and 67 blocks. The other area school to have the sport is Notre Dame, however, Eggemeyer and Saxony defeated the Bulldogs in both meetings this season.

Saxony earned a 12-9 record this season, playing against larger schools in most games before a loss to Oakville in the Class 1 District 1 tournament ended the year. Eggemeyer said although volleyball is not his main sport it was nice to have a good season and earn a Semoball award.

“I haven’t really practiced volleyball my whole life like I have with basketball,” Eggemeyer said. “So, to come into high school and be one of the better volleyball players in the area is pretty cool.”

As for the 2025 Semoball Boys Volleyball Athlete of the Year, the Crusaders and Bulldogs have athletes who could claim it but for now, the accolade belongs to Luke Eggemeyer.