Best In The West: Seven Kansas Seniors Ready For Season

Prep Dig Kansas features athletes from the Western part of the state.

Jeremy Deckard August 22, 2023 @ 11:43 AM

The hairs on my arm are starting to stand up as we get closer and closer to the start of the 2023 high school season.   Here are seven athletes in the western portion of the state heading into their senior years. A couple of them I have seen play several times, others not so much, but their HUDL packages and recognition precede them.   Each one represents one school classification in Kansas and hopes to lead their teams to winning records and post-season glory.   Easha Potts, 5'9”, MH, Dodge City   I recently featured Potts on Prep Girls Hoops. She is a solid multi-sport star who can take over a volleyball match with her hitting skills. During her junior campaign, she racked up  183 kills and 28 blocks for the Red Demons. Dodge City won just five games a season ago and the all-conference player will hopefully help lead her team to more wins in Class 6A.   [player_tooltip player_id='119709' first='Gracie' last='Morrow'], 6'0”, OH/DS, Maize South   I watched Morrow compete at club events this past season. Every time I see her in person it seems she has elevated some portion of her game, The Maize South Maverick senior finished with 326  kills and 233 digs during her junior campaign.  Maize South looks to compete for a state title in Class 5A. Morrow has committed to play for Wichita State University after high school.   Claira Dannefer, 6'0”, MB, Abilene   Dannefer's college athletic future more than likely will be on a basketball court, but the middle blocker won't be overlooked by volleyball coaches either. The Abilene Cowgirl senior finished with 234 kills and 67 total blocks during the 2022 season. She will have a major impact if Abilene is to make a solid showing in Class 4A.   [player_tooltip player_id='152836' first='Hope' last='Duncan'], 5'8” OH/DS, Smoky Valley   Duncan is one of my favorite players in the state right now. She is so unselfish and hopes to lead the Smoky Valley Vikings to an elusive state title in Class 3A. The Vikings have qualified for the state tournament for three years in a row and will be looking to make a fourth straight trip to Hutchinson. Ducan posted eye-popping numbers in 2022 finishing with 426 kills and 423 digs. She has committed to playing volleyball at Fort Hays State University. Look for her to make a run at the 500/500 mark in kills and digs as a senior.   Gracie Kirchoff, 5'8”, OH, Smith Center   In Class 2A, Smith Center is an early favorite to win a state championship. Kirchoff a senior outside hitter finished with 353 kills and 256 digs. Smith Center won the title in 2021 and finished second in 2022. Kirchoff has an impressive swing and hits the ball with accuracy.   [player_tooltip player_id='119697' first='Lauren' last='Brummet'], 5'8”, OH, Lakeside   Brummet has been on my radar since Prep Dig launched in 2020. She is a highly skilled athlete who is underrecruited based on the size of the school and location. She collected  387 kills for the Lakeside Knights and 245 digs as a junior. She also has a strong and accurate serve which led to 46 aces a season ago. Lakeside will look to make a deep run in Class 1A Division 1.   Sydnie Jones, 5'9”, MH/OH, Bucklin   Bucklin's Jones will hope to guide the Aces to a state title appearance in Class 1A Division II. As a junior, Jones filled up the stat sheet with 346 kills. She communicates well with her teammates and has a solid net-front presence. She has an offer from an NAIA program and will be looking to garner more attention among recruiters with a solid senior campaign.

The hairs on my arm are starting to stand up as we get closer and closer to the start of the 2023 high school season.