Top Blockers: Kansas Class of 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the eve of scouting my first club volleyball season matches I decided to stay home and write some scouting reports after a long day of travel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning from St. Louis, I had about five hours to think about my next reports and the months ahead. Through traffic, rain, and snow I decided to not scout an area basketball game and give one more full night to look back at the '23 volleyball season before delving into the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will still mix in some features on the Class of 2026 moving forward but will begin making a big switch and focus on the club game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks to the coaches who have already responded to me on social media and through emails regarding schedules and rosters. Keep that up! The more connections for me the more players I can provide exposure to college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some leaders in blocks in the Class of 2025 from the high school season. These athletes I did not see play high school ball this fall are included in this report. Among the top blockers in Kansas in this class of 2025 that I did see play include [player_tooltip player_id='154040' first='Trinniti' last='Stevens'] (Bishop Miege), [player_tooltip player_id='219951' first='Katja' last='Blanchat'] (Smoky Valley), [player_tooltip player_id='153938' first='Saida' last='Jacobs'] (Mill Valley), and [player_tooltip player_id='493398' first='Sophia' last='Thompson'] (Beloit), and Mill Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='493515' first='Ashlyn' last='Blazer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515137' first='Lydia' last='Reed']</strong>, 6'2”, OH/MH, St. John, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was really hard to make it out west this fall, so unless I caught a random western school playing in the Topeka area or at the state tournaments I missed them. Reed is first among a long list of western school athletes I hope I can catch during the club volleyball season, or the high school hoops season. She racked up 129 total blocks in 81 sets played. She also finished with 264 kills during her junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makenzie “Jenna” LaRue</strong>, 5'8”, RS/S, Erie, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I saw LaRue and Erie compete last summer at Pittsburg State's team camp, but missed them this fall. LaRue, who also plays power forward for the basketball team, finished her junior season with 124 total blocks in 92 sets played. She also had 301 assists while she was setting for the Red Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493408' first='Tamia' last='Cheeks']</strong>, 5'7”, MH, Salina South ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like LaRue, I witnessed Cheeks play during the summer at Washburn University. She collected 101 total blocks during the 2023 season in 86 sets played. She also had 170 kills for the Cougars. Right now she projects as a front-row-only player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darby Smith</strong>, 5'5”, OH/MH, Ell-Saline, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is an athlete that was nowhere near my radar, and that's a shame. Despite her height, she has big ups and plays a composed game. I liked the highlight packages on her Hudl page. She finished her junior season with 94 total blocks and 120 kills in 84 sets. She appears to be a prospect that could add depth to an NAIA program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515142' first='Adeiah' last='Heffner']</strong>, 5'11”, MB, Emporia, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did not catch the Spartans this fall, but Heffner is a talent I will certainly look for during the club season. She finished her junior year with 90 total blocks and 62 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='520303' first='Ayla' last='Johnson']</strong>, 5'8”, MB, Clay Center, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson posted solid numbers for the Tigers. She finished her junior season with 88 total blocks and 281 kills. By the looks of her Hudl account, Johnson might be a basketball prospect first, but she is athletic enough to play both sports at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->