Open Gym Scouting: KS Networks Players Get After It

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas Networks Volleyball Club hosted an open gym on June 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than 20 players attended the 90-minute workout which Prep Dig was invited to attend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a scouting report on players who had noticeable performances during the workout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119817' first='Alexis' last='Bittner']</strong>, 5'8”, UT, Cheney, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bittner can play multiple positions and plays with high energy. She is currently ranked No. 32 by Prep Dig in the Class of 24. She knows how to fill up a stat sheet as she finished with 463 digs, 370 serve receptions, and 193 kills during her junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152836' first='Hope' last='Duncan']</strong>, 5'8”, DS/OH, Smoky Valley‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duncan can crush volleyballs and play solid defense. She has an athletic frame and understands the game. &nbsp;Duncan is currently ranked No. 38 in the Class of 2024 by Prep Dig Kansas. The Smoky Valley prospect had recently committed to play volleyball at Fort Hays State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119696' first='Jordyn' last='Bird']</strong>, 5'8”, S, Maize, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bird is a solid setter with a big frame. She can get “air” like Jordan and play with finesse like Larry. She racked up 255 assists for Maize during her junior season. Bird is currently ranked No. 73 among her Class of 2024 peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237255' first='Langley' last='Barger']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Eisenhower-Goddard, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like the way Barger works. She plays composed, but she can get mean with the ball. She had a couple of impressive blocks during the workout. Barger had 162 kills and 12 total blocks during her junior campaign. I don't see any formula that does not see her increase her block total by at least fourfold in '23. She currently has one college offer from an NAIA program and will be looking for more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173379' first='Delainee' last='Dexter'], </strong>5'9”, S, Eisenhower-Goddard, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dexter is a floor general. She hustles on every play and can play solid defense as well as lead a team's offense. She can jump and has a solid serve. Dexter is currently ranked No. 43 in Prep Dig's Class of 2025 rankings and should see her stock rise the next time the rankings are updated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188115' first='Elle' last='Davis']</strong>, 5'11, OH, Trinity Academy ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis was blistering the ball during the open gym. She can jump and has a sweet swing. The Trinity Academy product was hitting the ball harder than anyone else in the 90-minute workout. She has a high ceiling and it would not surprise me if she pays for a Division I program, but the five in-state DII schools should be knocking down her door and tying up her cell phone line. Davis is currently ranked No. 46 in the Class of 2025. She had 200 kills during her sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taryn Bennett</strong>, 5'2”, L, Cheney, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett is a very unassuming athlete, but she can sure play. She uses a balanced defensive stance to prepare for serve receptions and she makes consistent first passes. Bennett collected 143 digs and 150 serve receptions for the Cardinals in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olivia Beason</strong>, 5'9”, MH/OH, Bluestem, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most surprising performance of the evening came from a sophomore who plays for Blue Stem High School. Beason is super athletic and jumps out of the gym. She had multiple solid hits and blocks during the practice. She had 29 kills in 22 varsity sets played as a freshman in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->