On our Radar: Janice Van Gorp Classic Game Changers
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I love tournament days due to the number of teams participating in the event. Don’t get me wrong that the atmosphere of a crosstown rival is unrivaled with each school’s respective student bodies and you can feel the energy in…
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Continue ReadingI love tournament days due to the number of teams participating in the event. Don’t get me wrong that the atmosphere of a crosstown rival is unrivaled with each school’s respective student bodies and you can feel the energy in the air. For us, it’s great to see players live in action than watching videos or looking up stats without any basis. It’s easy to get caught up looking at the top teams and players based on tournament results as I previously named the all-tournament team. Here are some players who caught our attention.
Janelle Green Janelle Green 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2024 State #68 Nation KS – S – 2024 – Blue Valley North
Green has been on the list before but I am giving her another shoutout for her leadership role as she took over the team’s 5-1 setting responsibilities. Blue Valley North played without their other setter/pin hitter in Logan Parks Logan Parks 5'11" | S Blue Valley North | 2025 State #8 Nation KS , who were out due to illness, Green did it all to provide the Mustangs opportunities to compete.
Wren VanCleave – S/OPP – 2023 – Bonner Springs
VanCleave ran the offense for the Braves in a modified 6-2 lineup. She knows what’s happening on the court and uses it to her team’s advantage. When needed to, she takes the ball over on 2 to shake up the opposition’s defensive scheme. She plays right front most of the time but occasionally plays in the left pin to give an attacking option for Bonner Springs.
Chloe Kmiecik Chloe Kmiecik 6'1" | MB De Soto | 2026 State KS – MB – 2026 – DeSoto
Kmiecik is a tall and unrefined middle as a freshman. She put up tough blocks and got a lot of block touches for the Wildcats. She got a few strong swings that earned her some kills that brought energy and excitement to the team.
Grace Schmedding – OH – 2024 – Heritage Christian
Schmedding might be under shadowed behind Rachel Van Gorp Rachel Van Gorp 5'9" | OH Heritage Christian | 2024 State #94 Nation KS as the main outside hitter for Heritage Christian but don’t let that fool you. The junior outside hitter was hitting with tempo and able to adjust her shots for defensive shifts. She helped the Chargers early during the day when the other hitters were not connecting.
Alexis Garraway – OH – 2023 – Olathe North
Garraway played as a 6-rotation outside for the Eagles and had some great kills throughout the day. She likes to hit a high hook shot and line to points and was smart to see and tool the block. Speaking of block, Garraway paired up with her middles provided solid blocking for Olathe North. She has a mean float serves that get teams out of system.
Ashley VanElders – OH – 2024 – Shawnee Mission South
VanElders is what I call small but mighty. She jumps out of the gym and make acrobatic saves for the Raiders. She plays as a 6-rotation outside and goes for every ball.
Reagan Barth Reagan Barth 6'0" | OH Shawnee Mission West | 2023 State KS – OH – 2023 – Shawnee Mission West
Barth was a difference maker for the Vikings. At first, I was confused on who she was because her number was not on the official game day roster. Barth did it all in terms of being an attacker and defender. She was bouncing balls when she’s given the opportunity to fully get a swing and smart enough to control her power. She was dominant at the net as any overpassed balls going her way would bound to be killed by her. Barth used her size to her advantage and took over half the court during serve-receive pattern.
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