Kansas City Metro Top 6 of 2021

<p>In recent articles we have shared some of the players you should get to know in the class of 2021 for the upcoming season. We wanted to introduce many players who have flown under the radar in their high school seasons. Except for when mentioned discussing other players, you didn’t get to know the top players on the Missouri side of the state line. Today we want to introduce you to the top 6 in the class of 2021.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41748" first="Kristen" last="Birmingham"] - OH - Park Hill High School</strong> </p> <p>Coaches have stated she makes plays where all you can do is shake your head. The high-flying Birmingham holds a 10’9" touch and gives teams headaches with her ability to hang in the air and make plays. The all-state performer helped lead Park Hill to 21 wins a year ago. Last season, the 6 rotation hitter led the team in both kills and digs. She is an above-average blocker defensively and dominates the net in one on one situations. We will keep an eye on Birmingham this season as she approaches the 1000 kill mark in her career, sitting at 745. She has <a href="https://x.com/kj_birmingham/status/1020058336383897600?s=20">committed</a> to play at The University of Oklahoma.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41749" first="Bailee" last="Middleton"] - OH/DS - Liberty High School</strong></p> <p>Middleton is arguably the top all-around player in the state. She is slated to play defense at the next level, but it was her offense that caught opponents by surprise in 2019. In her all-state season, she played 97 sets and collected 406 kills on the season. As a junior, she hit at a .265 mark while leading her team to a Final Four appearance. As good as her offense was, she was just as impressive defensively. She just missed the 400 kill/400 dig mark by having 392 digs on the season. In a state that has only played the best of 3 sets until this upcoming season, she is another player who should reach the 1000 milestone in both kills and digs this fall. Middleton is<a href="https://x.com/baileemidd/status/1103086277711282177?s=20"> slated</a> to play her college ball at The University of Mississippi</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92827" first="Andi" last="Kreiling"] - MH - Kearney High School</strong> </p> <p>The third all-state player so far on this list, Kreiling had her best season last fall for the Bulldogs. An accomplished state medalist in the swimming pool, she matched that success on the court her junior year. Kreiling was the main offensive threat for Kearney. In 72 sets, she contributed 293 kills, hitting at a.372 clip. Defensively, she chipped in 40 blocks for good measure. With the move to the best 3 out of 5 sets this season, 1000 career kills may be within reach for the middle hitter. Kreiling has made Arizona State University her <a href="https://x.com/kcpowervb/status/1123201139225387008?s=20">college choice</a> for 2021.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41757" first="Aly" last="Gurtiza"] - L - Lee’s Summit West High School</strong></p> <p>The two-time all-state libero is arguably the top back row player in the entire state. She has been the glue defensively for the Titans since her first season on the court. Last year, Gurtiza played in 70 sets and paced the team with 394 digs. In serve/receive, she passed the ball 321 times. She currently sits at 807 digs in her two seasons and will reach the 1000 milestone this fall. She has not made her college choice known at this time.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41759" first="Aubrey" last="LaPour"] - OH - Blue Springs South High School</strong></p> <p>All-State wasn’t a requirement, but our 5th straight player to earn this honor joins the list. This is how impressive LaPour was in 2019. She missed half of the season with an injury and coaches still pegged her for All-District and All-State honors! She played just under 50 sets last fall. In those sets, she had 145 kills and 91 digs. LaPour has a hammer for an arm and puts balls down with authority. She should be capable of a 300 kill/300 dig season for the Jaguars in 2020. She has decided to make Bryant University her <a href="https://x.com/dynastyvbc/status/1191715736592486400?s=20">college home</a>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92830" first="Bryn" last="McGehe"] - S/RS - Platte County High School</strong></p> <p>Is there anything McGehe can’t do on the court? She is one of the most diverse players in the state. In her junior season, she played 65 sets and was all over the court for the Pirates.  As a setter in the 6-2, she dished out 287 assists on the season. She took swings from both pins and had 216 kills on the year. And defensively she had 233 digs. This is another player who may benefit from more sets in 2020, as she closes in on some milestones. McGehe will stay close to home in 2021, <a href="https://x.com/McgeheBryn/status/1188237964394094592?s=20">picking</a> The University of Kansas.</p>