Young 2026 Prospects Shine During 17s Region Bid Event

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One surprising aspect of the two 17U region bid club matches I scouted on March 23 was the number of impressive younger athletes who were “playing up” for the [program_tooltip program_id='515463' first='Air' last='Capital Aces'] and Central Kansas Rampage 17U teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the final of three reports from the two matches in Lawrence this one focuses on athletes from the Class of 2026. These five players made solid arguments to be pushed up or included for the first time in the 2026 rankings which will be updated in early April.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222564' first='Brooklyn' last='Benoit']</strong>, 5'10”, OH/DS, Wichita Northwest ('26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benoit is a sneaky quick for her size and has nice defensive skills to go along with her hitting skills. In a two-set win for the Aces she finished tied with a team-high six kills. She also chipped in four digs and three serve receptions. Benoit will benefit from playing on a competitive club team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206380' first='Kalyn' last='Sampson']</strong>, 5'11”, S/RS, Sedgwick ('26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sampson is a talented setter and hitter that I had seen practice and scrimmage, but this was the first time I saw her in a competitive match. Her play did not disappoint, but she left early with an illness. She recorded seven assists and one dig in just one set played. She is tall and quick. Sampson has a soft touch when setting and hits a heavy ball when attacking. Her older sister has committed to play JUCO ball, so the game runs in her family.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524466' first='Regan' last='Widener']</strong>, 5'10”, RS, Ellinwood ('26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Widener had the most dominant match of the morning for the Central Kansas Rampage. The lefty can crush a ball and when she gets the angle on a defender, she is difficult to block. She recorded a team-high six kills. She also added three serve receptions, one kill, and one ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489661' first='Myka' last='Thompson'],</strong> 5'8”, S, Hutchinson ('26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson had the best complete game of any setter I have recently scouted. She finished with 14 assists in the Rampage's win over Eclipse. She has nice hands and sets a soft ball. The Hutchinson prospect has a dangerous serve. It's a low line drive bullet that dives at the end. She registered four aces in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357550' first='Annie' last='Humphrey']</strong>, 5'2”, L, Hays ('26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Humphrey is a spunky libero who had a nice match to start the tournament. She had six serve receptions and two digs. She makes a consistent first pass and reads the ball well. I don't remember her having to lunge for a ball that she let play her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->