Rieke & Smith Stand Tall: Class of 2024 Block Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the fourth report featuring talent from the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group spent the entirety of the fall season throwing block parties on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top blockers in Kansas came from the Class of 2026 and these prospects can get their hands high over the net to prevent oncoming attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shaylee Baalman</strong>, 5'10”, OPP, Quinter, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Quinter Bulldogs have a young blocker to build around. During her sophomore season, Baalman racked up 105 blocks and 65 kills in 78 sets played. She also recorded 107 assists for Quinter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355653' first='Finley' last='Rieke']</strong>, 6'1”, MH, Tonganoxie, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted Rieke and the Chieftains multiple times this fall. She is very athletic and will dominate the net for years to come. She finished with 98 total blocks in 93 sets played. She is also an accomplished hitter collecting 188 kills. Tonganoxie will lose multiple hitters to graduation, so Rieke will be leaned on more in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516229' first='Havana' last='Olander']</strong>, 5'7”, MH/OPP, Little River, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olander recorded 95 total blocks in 82 sets played to go along with 134 kills. Olander is a two-sport prospect who also excels on the Redskins basketball team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489650' first='Taylor' last='McDonald']</strong>, 6'1”, MH, Valley Center, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald is a tall timber standing over six-foot-tall. The Hornet middle filled up her stat sheet with 91 blocks, 233 kills, and 31 aces in 77 sets played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516241' first='Audrey' last='Smith']</strong>, 6'3”, MH, Trinity Academy ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is tall and long and uses her natural ability to be an impact blocker. She finished with 91 total blocks and 222 kills in 87 sets played. I watched Smith play early in the season and she could be a top-tier prospect in Kansas when all is said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516237' first='Ambree' last='Portelli']</strong>, 5'4”, MH, Rock Creek, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you stand 5-foot-4 and find yourself among the state's blocking leaders, it can mean only one thing – you can jump out of the gym. Rock Creek's Portelli fits that profile. In 82 sets played the young Mustang collected 79 total blocks in 82 sets played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516231' first='Alexis' last='Moore']</strong>, 5'10”, MH, Ellsworth, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is tall and can jump and that led her to record 79 total blocks and 352 kills in 82 sets played. She was among the Bearcats leaders in aces with 40.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516235' first='Lynelle' last='Gengler']</strong>, 5'9”, MH/OPP, St. John's/Tipton, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 92 sets played during her sophomore season, Gengler racked up 78 total blocks. Gengler played six rotations for the Blujays and filled up her 2023 stat line with 449 serve receptions, 179 kills, and 128 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->