Liberty Christian Head Coach Matt Voss saw plenty of improvements over the course of a season that ended with his team a few plays away from playing for a state championship.

“We improved a lot,” he said after his team finished 15-14 and third in the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association state tournament.

The Eagles lost to Heartland-Bethel in the semifinals and were bumped to the third-place game, which they won over Overland Park Christian, 51-38.

“I wish we would have won that semifinal game,” Voss said. “Because I think we could have won the tournament.”

The Eagles were led by senior guard Matilyn Voss, who averaged 21.3 points for the season and scored 33 in the third-place game.

“I think it was a really good season overall,” she said. “Especially with how things started and not knowing if we would have enough girls for a team.”

Matt Voss said Matilyn tried balancing her leadership role and killer instinct all season.

Voss was the best player on a team filled with middle school players and underclassmen. She wanted to bring along the younger players, but didn’t want to lose, either.

“It was tough for her at times,” Matt Voss said. “Whenever we would get a little lead, she would want Jenna (Grow) to run the point.”

Matt Voss said Grow, an eighth-grade guard, will be a solid contributor for the Eagles down the road.

“The whole team will be solid in a few years,” he said. “Next year could be tough, but in two or three years I expect them to compete for the state championship.”

The Eagles received help mid-season when senior guard Kayley Hulverson joined the team.

Hulverson averaged 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, but her biggest contribution was alleviating the pressure felt by Voss, who was routinely double-teamed.

Matt Voss said it will be hard to replace both players next year, but he believes there were players on this year’s team who can grow into those roles in the future.

“Annabeth Colbert has a great shot, even though she’s only in sixth grade,” he said. “Andrea Mueller is in sixth grade too, but she’s probably the fastest player on our team.”

Voss said he also expects big seasons from sophomore guard Sierra Wise, eighth-grade guard Haley Hoffman and sixth-grade guard Adison Roden.

“All those girls should be able to do their part,” he said. “It’s going to take a few years for that core to grow and develop, but watch out when they do.”