KC Metro (Missouri) Preseason Top 25 Players: 1-5
We have reached our top 5. Our panel shared this was not an easy task. The top 5 is an experienced group led by four 2021 players. Those four players were also listed in our previous article highlighting the top…
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Continue ReadingWe have reached our top 5. Our panel shared this was not an easy task. The top 5 is an experienced group led by four 2021 players. Those four players were also listed in our previous article highlighting the top 2021 players in the metro. As shared daily, we sent a list of 50 players to fifteen coaches and local volleyball influencers to help build this list. You will see players who have very accomplished high school careers to date. You will see some who are young but have the potential to be big-time players. This is the top 5 preseason players to open the fall season.
5. Chloe Kaminski Chloe Kaminski 5'9" | DS/L Blue Springs | 2022 State #115 Nation MO – OH – 2022 – Blue Springs High School
“Kaminski is just a great all-around talent who does many things well,” one coach shared in their analysis of the all-state performer. Kaminski was a heavy contributor for the Wildcats in her 1st season having 196 kills and 234 digs. She followed up in year two boasting a line that included 258 kills and 259 digs. A volleyball official added, “She (Kaminski) is poised and does many things at a high level. She passes at a high grade. She plays tremendous defense. She’s a player you want on your team.” She is a high-level defender on the club scene and being recruited highly as a defender. Highlights
4. Aly Gurtiza Aly Gurtiza 5'8" | DS/L Lee's Summit West | 2021 State MO – L – 2021 – Lee’s Summit West High School
Two-time all-state. That is a simple sentence that explains why Gurtiza is a top 5 player in the city. Often defenders can be seen receiving the lower rankings in comparison to hitters but her talent can’t be ignored. “She makes everything look so easy,” a division coach mentioned in their breakdown. In her two seasons of varsity action, Gurtiza has over 800 digs and 700 receptions. Another coach who faced Gurtiza shared, “I haven’t seen a libero in years who makes the adjustments I see her make during a match to get not only her but her teammates in position.”
3. Andi Kreiling Andi Kreiling 6'3" | MB Kearney High School | 2021 MO – MH – 2021 – Kearney High School School – Committed: Arizona State University
A natural middle, Kreiling had to take many of her swings from the outside last fall for the Bulldogs. An official mentioned, “As a middle, she is very quick and reads the defense better than all middles I’ve seen the last few years.” In 2019, Kreiling earned Class 4 all-state honors after a season she had 293 kills. She hit at a high percentage of .372. “She doesn’t get enough credit in her ability as a blocker, she is quick and closes the attack fast,” a coach shared. Highlights
2. Bailee Middleton Bailee Middleton 5'10" | DS/L Liberty | 2021 State MO – OH – 2021 – Liberty High School – Committed: University of Mississippi
“Very consistent and steady,” a rival coach said when describing Middleton as a player. Last year, Liberty played in a Colorado tournament which was a best of 5 format. The Blue Jays also advanced to the Class 4 state championship and finished third. Middleton took advantage of the added sets (97 total) and finished with 406 kills on the season. An all-state performer in 2019, she also had 392 digs! A volleyball insider added, “I don’t care if it’s 77 sets, 97 sets, or 127 sets…anyone who can get almost 400 kills and 400 digs is a big-time player.” Another coach said this about Middleton, “She doesn’t do many things that make you say wow but does all the things needed to win matches and at the end of the day that’s what you want, a winner.” Middleton is also ranked as the number 4 player in the Prep Dig Missouri statewide rankings. Highlights
1. Kristen Birmingham Kristen Birmingham 6'1" | OH Park Hill | 2021 State MO – OH – 2021 – Park Hill High School – Committed: University of Oklahoma
A local volleyball influencer had this to say about Birmingham, “Let’s be honest, what she does on the high school level is quite amazing. She has not played with a true setter her entire high school career and has almost 800 kills.” That is a big compliment and speaks to the play of the number 1 ranked player in the city and number 2 in the state. A season ago, the Oklahoma commit had 286 kills and 285 digs in 76 sets. A coach shared, “I said her freshman year, if she develops into a 6 rotation player, she will be the best player in the city. She did and in my opinion, she is the best player in the city. I love playing her but I don’t like playing her if that makes any sense. With the state moving to 5 (best 3 of 5) this year, she could get 500 kills.” She also contributed 44 blocks in her junior season. “Her blocking doesn’t get talked about enough, in my opinion. I’ve seen her make hitters think about every attack they attempted after a big block…that skill is a game changer,” a rival coach added. Birmingham has 745 kills and closing in on 1000 for her career. Highlights