Kansas Heavy Hitters: Class of 2026
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The one remaining class I have yet to profile since the end of the season is the Class of 2026. I was able to catch some of the top hitters in this class in person. Those included in that group…
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Continue ReadingThe one remaining class I have yet to profile since the end of the season is the Class of 2026.
I was able to catch some of the top hitters in this class in person. Those included in that group are Hayden Grimes Hayden Grimes 5'9" | OH Andale | 2026 State KS (Andale), Lexi Hecht Lexi Hecht 5'8" | OH Wamego | 2026 State KS (Wamego), Morgan Sears Morgan Sears 5'11" | OH Blue Valley Northwest | 2026 State KS (Blue Valley Northwest), Leah Robinson Leah Robinson 6'0" | OH St. James | 2026 State KS (St. James Academy), and Lansing’s Avery Sands Avery Sands 5'7" | OH Lansing | 2026 State KS .
Here is a look at some of the heavy hitters in Kansas that I did not get a chance to see during the high school season.
Olivia Stein Olivia Stein 6'0" | OH Ingalls | 2026 State KS , 6’0”, OH, Ingalls, ‘26
Stein is a kill machine racking up 630 kills in 77 sets played for Ingalls. I saw Stein compete at a college camp before the season started but was unable to make the trek west to see the Bulldogs this season. She can play six rotations and fill up a stat sheet. She also finished with 317 serve receptions, 223 digs, and 45 aces during her sophomore season.
Aubrey Bina, 6’0”, S/MB, Northern Valley, ‘26
The Huskies have an interesting prospect in Bina. She is a tall setter who can also hit. She finished with 433 kills in 86 sets played, while also collecting 224 assists. Her all-around game will catch college coaches’ eyes as she also recorded 76 total blocks, 166 digs, and 48 aces.
Ava Smith, 5’9”, OH/MH, Valley Heights, ‘26
Smith tallied 366 kills in 79 sets played for Valley Heights. Smith filled up her stat line during her sophomore campaign with 468 serve receptions, 264 digs, and 42 total blocks. She also plays basketball for the Mustangs.
Jadence Stewart, 5’10”, OH/DS, Greeley County, ‘26
Stewart is a versatile athlete who looks like she can jump based on her Hudl highlights. She finished her sophomore season with 363 kills in 79 sets played. The young Jackrabbit also has an impressive serve racking up 77 aces in 79 sets.
Alexis Moore Alexis Moore 5'10" | MB Ellsworth | 2026 State KS , 5’10”, MH, Ellsworth, ‘26
Moore has a big reach and finished with 352 kills for the Bearcats. Based on her numbers I am guessing she plays mostly front row. She had an impressive total of 79 blocks in 82 sets played during the 2023 season.
Jade Xu Jade Xu 6'0" | OH Emporia | 2026 State KS , 6’1”, OH, Emporia, ‘26
One would guess that Xu would inherit solid genes and skills for the game being the daughter of college volleyball coaches. I saw XU last club season but did not catch a Spartans match in 2023. The lengthy sophomore registered 344 kills and 41 total blocks in 86 sets played.
Maddie Coester Maddie Coester 5'10" | OH Girard | 2026 State KS , 5’9”, OH/DS, Girard, ‘26
I almost always return to my old-stopping grounds of Southeast Kansas, but not this fall. Coester can play six rotations and her 2023 stat sheet was loaded with impressive numbers. She finished with 349 serve receptions, 295 digs, and 42 total blocks.