Club Frenzy: Topeka Saints 14U Prospects Show Off Skills
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In preparation for the first edition of the Kansas Class of 2028 rankings I scouted three 14U Power League matches on March 9, in Shawnee Kansas. One of the teams I watched closely was the Topeka Saints 14-1 squad. The…
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Continue ReadingIn preparation for the first edition of the Kansas Class of 2028 rankings I scouted three 14U Power League matches on March 9, in Shawnee Kansas.
One of the teams I watched closely was the Topeka Saints 14-1 squad. The Saints lost a close-fought three-set match to KC Power 14-1 here is a look at five young athletes who impressed me with their play. The players included in this report are currently 8th Graders, but I have noted their expected high schools.
If any high school coach, club coach, or athlete would like to make suggestions for the initial Class of 2028 Kansas rankings please feel free to email me at deckscoutks@gmail.com or follow and direct message me on X @KSScoutDeck. I know it seems a long time away, but athletes who want to play college ball need to start putting together video highlights and social media accounts to prepare for the recruiting process.
Hailey Schmidtlein Hailey Schmidtlein 6'0" | MB Hayden | 2028 State KS , 6’0”, MH,’28 (Hayden)
Schmidtlein made a solid argument to be ranked No. 1 when the 2028 rankings come together. She is a tall kid who hits the ball hard. For a 14-year-old six-footer, she is super graceful and quite athletic. There is no six-month-old giraffe awkwardness about her game. She filled her stat sheet with nine kills, eight digs, nine serve receptions, and two aces in the loss to KC Power .
Blakely Walter Blakely Walter 5'5" | S Washburn Rural Middle School | 2028 KS , 5’6”, S/RS,’28 (Washburn Rural)
Walter is just a young stud in the making. She plays six rotations, can jump out of the gym, and plays with the energy of a six-month-old colt. Her bloated stat line included 12 digs, seven serve receptions, and two kills. She is a heck of a setter, but I have no idea what position she will play in high school or college.
Emmie Dean, 5’6”, DS/OH, ’28 (Jefferson West)
The Topeka Saints roster is loaded with very unselfish hustle players. Count Dean among that group. Dean can also play six rotations and playing on the club scene should help her get noticed as she plays for the small school Jefferson West. She finished the match against KC Power with six serve receptions and five digs. She plays a composed game and communicates well with her teammates.
Karis KiWe Miller Karis KiWe Miller 6'0" | OH Royal Valley | 2028 State KS , 6’0”, OH,’28 (Royal Valley)
The best words to describe Miller’s game are sneaky explosive. She’s young so she does not yet have that super intimidating frame, but the foundation is there for one. Yet, she has some serious bounce and can unload on the ball. The Royal Valley school district prospect recorded two kills, four digs, and one serve reception.
Gentry Koons, 5’7”, L ’28 (Washburn Rural)
Koons is a solid back-row player for the Saints. She is a hair taller than Dean, and maybe a tick quicker, but there is more helter-skelter in her game. Koons will lay out for the ball to make the important dig. She finished with 11 digs and seven serve receptions. With the coaching of Jessica Farmer Walter with the Saints and Kevin Bordewick at Washburn Rural, you can bet money that her game will be fundamentally sound when comes time for her to look at colleges.