So What About These Freshmen? KC Edition
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As we started rolling out the watch list this fall we already know we left out some and learned about many others. This is no different this year as new players hit the high school scene. By standard, I don’t…
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Continue ReadingAs we started rolling out the watch list this fall we already know we left out some and learned about many others. This is no different this year as new players hit the high school scene. By standard, I don’t start paying attention to “freshmen” until their freshmen year unless they play up on a 15s team as a 14-year-old. With that said, here are a few players who caught my attention in the last month in live action.
Bella Scherfenberg Bella Scherfenberg 5'9" | MB Belton | 2026 State MO – ATH – Belton
So I got my first look at Scherfenberg earlier this season in a match versus Oak Park. Right away she stood out as a game-changer on the court but then I learned she was a freshman. I tried to do some research on her and couldn’t find much on the club level but did learn she was an accomplished beach player. I have her listed as an athlete because early on it appeared she was in a role of a 6 rotation middle for the Belton team. She is undersized probably for the middle position but she can swing from all over the court, including the back row. She is very good in serve receive and has a nasty top spin serve that when on causing havoc. So far this year she has 299 kills in 74 sets, good for 4 kills per set. She has added 65 aces behind the service line and 184 digs.
Sydni Lafasciano Sydni Lafasciano 5'7" | OH Park Hill South | 2026 State MO – OH – Park Hill South
We’ve seen Lafasciano a handful of times now and she will be a star for years to come. I remember first seeing her last year in middle school when officiating her match and said South is getting a good one. She is playing 6 rotations for a team that is young and has been getting better the last few weeks. She has a great rise for a 5’8″ player and can hit over big blocks. One thing you love about her is she is fearless as a hitter. She will get blocked and come right back next rally and go right back at you. She has been good in serve receive but will be great by the time she leaves high school. She is already displaying leadership traits you want to see in one of your best players. She has 39 kills in her last two matches and 231 on the year to go with 258 digs.
Addi MacLean Addi MacLean 5'11" | S St. Michael The Archangel | 2026 State MO – S – St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael has been on fire this year, with an 18-3 record and one of the major reasons is the play of freshman setter Addi MacLean Addi MacLean 5'11" | S St. Michael The Archangel | 2026 State MO . At 5’10”, she moves around the court very well as we’ve been able to catch them live a couple of times this year. She does a good job of holding blockers with her decision making and her setting is accurate to the pins. She is averaging just under 9 assists per set and has 514 on the season. She has also been a weapon behind the service line, dropping in over 50 aces on the year. Add in 91 digs, and she is having a stellar freshman campaign and has a great career ahead.