Beasts In The East: Seniors To Watch On The East Side of Kansas

Prep Dig Scouts feature five eastern Kansas prospects.

Jeremy Deckard August 22, 2023 @ 02:04 PM

Volleyball matches start for a majority of teams on August 26 and like the coaches and players across Kansas, I can't wait to hit the gym to scout matches.   Here are seven athletes from the eastern portion of the state heading into their senior years.   Each one represents one school classification in Kansas and hopes to lead their teams to winning records and post-season glory.   [player_tooltip player_id='172451' first='Chloe' last='Tyrrell'], 5'10”, OH, Olathe East   There are so many talented players in Class 6A programs that it was hard to pick just one to feature so I picked one I have never written a report on. The Olathe East outside hitter finished with 320 kills and 264 during her junior season. She knows how to fill out a stat sheet as she also finished with 461 serve receptions and 27 total blocks during the 2022 season. Tyrrell plays club ball with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] and could also be a top recruit from Kansas on the beach volleyball scene.   [player_tooltip player_id='119810' first='Anna' last='Laincz'], 5'10”, OH/DS, Lansing   Laincz is set to step up and become a major leader for the Lansing Lions.  Laincz collected a team-high 419 kills during her junior season. She is a six-rotation player who also finished with 200-plus digs in 2022. She plays club ball with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] and will hope to keep Lansing's long streak of Class 5A State Championships Tournament appearances intact.   [player_tooltip player_id='495573' first='Cora' last='Miller'], 5'6”, L, Holton   Miller is a digging machine who currently has 764 career digs. She can play any position on the court and might hit more often this season and pass the Libero jersey on to a teammate. Miller has committed to play for the University of Jamestown (N.D.).  I plan on scouting Miler and her Class 4A Holton Wildcats in person next week.   Abby Elffner, 6'1” MH, Hiawatha   A player to watch in Class 3A in 2023 is the Hiawatha's 6-foot-1 middle.  She racked up 387 kills during her junior campaign. She has a big reach and can jump. She committed to play for Baker University. Her serve is strong and accurate, she will look to add a state title to her trophy room before heading to Baldwin City to play for the Wildcats.   [player_tooltip player_id='119716' first='Brenna' last='Smith'], 5'10”, OH, St. Mary's   Smith is a six-rotation player for St. Mary's. She smashed 455 kills during the 2022 season. She will look to lead the Bears to a winning season in a competitive Class 2A. She plays club ball with KS Networks.   Janae Granere, 5'8”, MH, Marmaton Valley   Granere is a stat monster in Class IA DI. She amassed scary numbers in 2022 finishing with 173 kills 292 digs, 43 total blocks, and 250 serves receptions. Marmaton Valley had a 20-14 regular season record in 2022 and expects to have a possible run-in with state powerhouse Olpe in the postseason.   Kaydence Schotte, 5'8”, S/DS, Hanover   Schotte hopes to lead Hanover to a third straight Class 1A Division II state title. She finished with 397 assists as the Wildcats' secondary setter during her junior campaign. She will be the primary setter in 2023 so don't be surprised if those numbers double. She can push the ball and plays well on defense. She racked up 297 digs during the 2022 season. She is just one of two returning starters from last season's state title team and will be leaned on heavily as a senior.

Volleyball matches start for a majority of teams on August 26 and like the coaches and players across Kansas, I can't wait to hit the gym to scout matches.