Club Frenzy: Blackledge & Bowman Impress In Wichita

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='430193' first='Kansas' last='Networks Volleyball Club'] hosted a winter warm-up tournament in Wichita on December 16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted three matches in the 17 Select Pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the first of two reports on impressive prospects from the club action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liliana Blackledge</strong>, 6'0”, MH/OH, Council Grove, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackledge was the most impressive athlete in the three matches I watched. She is a physical specimen who plays for Emporia 17-2. She exudes confidence in her game and can take over a match with her net presence. The Council Grove prospect collected 10 kills in the two matches I watched. She is tall, strong, and can jump. She will benefit by playing against tougher competition in club ball than what she would normally face during the high school season. Blackledge has a bulldog mentality and plays with a mean streak. You can tell she enjoys punishing the ball. &nbsp;Right now I would not hesitate to recommend her to the Division II programs in Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alivia Anno</strong>, 5'3”, L, Emporia, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anno is a solid libero for the Emporia club team. She finished with seven serve receptions and two digs in the second match of the day for her team against the 15-1 team from Kansas Rise. Anno has nice footwork and makes consistent passes. Her stock will rise when she gets more experience and begins to anticipate opposition attacks better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jewelia Kitselmam</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Osage City, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitselman is a sneaky prospect who can help out all over the court. She has the potential to be a six-rotation player for an NAIA program. In the match against the Kansas Rise 15-1, she accumulated three serve receptions, two digs, two kills, and two aces. I really like her game, but she could stand to have some of Blackledge's confidence rub off on her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515587' first='Isabelle' last='Bowman']</strong>, 5'6”, OH/DS, Kinsley, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowman plays high school ball for the Kinsley Coyotes and club ball for the DC Extreme 17-1 team. She is a strong athlete who is also a powerlifter. Her lower body strength adds to her jumping skill and quickness. She hits the ball well and is not a liability in the back row. In the Extreme's two-set loss to Kansas Rise 15-1 she collected four serve receptions, two kills, two digs, and one ace. Her ceiling as a prospect is probably the NAIA level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492764' first='Madison' last='McGee']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/S, Speaville, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DC Extreme has two defensive specialists I like. McGee plays high school ball for Spearville. She finished with two serve receptions and two digs in the match I scouted. She is a player who will get better playing against club competition. She seems like she is a sponge and will improve her game by watching others play as well. She is an unselfish player and versatile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keegan Showalter</strong>, 5'1”, L, South Gray, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other defensive whiz for the Extreme plays high school ball for the South Gray Rebels. She played the libero position in the first match of the day and racked up seven serve receptions and three digs. She makes consistent passes and plays with a solid defensive frame. She anticipates attacks well and does not lunge at the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->