Jumping Jamboree: Prospects Get Better In New 2023 Format

Jeremy Deckard August 24, 2023 @ 08:48 PM

In the state of Kansas, football started having Jamborees in the fall of 2019. Multiple teams can scrimmage against other foes, instead of just scrimmaging with ones vs. twos or varsity vs. junior varsity.   Based on the success of that new format, starting this fall, Kansas has allowed other team sports to host preseason jamborees including volleyball.   I scouted a jamboree hosted by the Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles with Newton and Wichita Collegiate as the other participants.   Here is a look at two prospects from each team who played well during the first-ever Jamboree for the three schools.   [player_tooltip player_id='222106' first='Carlyle' last='Johnson'], 6'1”, MH,  Wichita Collegiate‘26   Johnson put on a clinic during the scrimmage. The sophomore is a Division I prospect all day and every day. She plays hard and understands the game. She played six rotations and is a stat monster. She finished the match against Newton with 14 kills, 10 serve receptions, and six digs. She also added a block and an ace for good measure. Keep an eye out for this young lady. She is deserving of being ranked in the top five in Kansas when the Prep Dig rankings are updated.   [player_tooltip player_id='489777' first='Brea' last='Martin'], 5'6”, OH/DS, Bishop Caroll, ‘25   Martin is a baller for Bishop Carroll. She was all over the court during the Jamboree. She collected five digs, three kills, and 10 serve receptions. She is quick and can jump. She almost glides when she is on the court, she moves so smoothly. She also has a hard and accurate serve. Defensive specialist might be her future position in college, but Martin is a solid jumper as well.   Abby Koontz, 5'6”, OH/DS, Newton, ‘24   I was really impressed with Koontz's game. She can hit and play defense. I watched two of Newton's matches and between the two she amassed 23 serve receptions, 16 digs, and three kills. As a hitter, several of her attacks get tipped or partially blocked. However, she hit the ball with just about as much power as anyone else on the court. She wants to play college ball, but she is also interested in medicine as her academic major which might impact the schools she considers playing for.   Avery Elofsson, 5'10”, MH/OH, Wichita Collegiate ‘24   Arguably the most impressive senior on the court for all three teams was Collegiate's Elofsson. So, imagine my dismay when the Spartan's coach and Elofsson both were unsure if she wanted to play college ball. Like Koontz, she wants to go into medicine to be a surgeon. For the time being, she will spend the fall of 2023 slicing and dicing up an opposing defense with surgical precision. She finished the match against Newton with seven kills, six digs, and four serve receptions. She can play all six rotations. I would not hesitate to recommend her to college coaches, but she might break several of their hearts.   [player_tooltip player_id='480406' first='Ani' last='Koontz'], 5'10”, OH/MH, Newton, ‘27   The most impressive freshman on the court was the Railers' younger Koontz. This Koontz could grow and evolve into a real beast. She had 12 kills combined in the two matches I scouted. She is physical and has a big reach. She can hit from all angles and positions. It looks like she very well could end up being a four-year starter by the time her high school career is over.   [player_tooltip player_id='756489' first='Reese' last='Daugherty'], 5'3”, L/DS, Bishop Carroll, ‘26   Daugherty is a solid defensive player and her best quality is she is not afraid to control a match. She communicates well and makes consistent passes for a loaded group of hitters. She had seven digs and 10 serve receptions in the scrimmage against Newton.

In the state of Kansas, football started having Jamborees in the fall of 2019. Multiple teams can scrimmage against other foes, instead of just scrimmaging with ones vs. twos or varsity vs. junior varsity.