Kansas Prospects Show Off Skills At Topeka Open Gym

Prep Dig Scouts Watch Practice

Jeremy Deckard June 18, 2024 @ 08:49 PM

I still can't wrap my head around the growth of volleyball in Kansas and how athletes from different schools come together to form club teams.   Twenty-five Kansas athletes gathered at the Sports Zone in Topeka for an open gym and to work with club coach Mark Evans.   I scouted action during the session and caught up with familiar ranked talent, scouted Prep Dig ranked players for the first time in person, and met several unranked prospects looking to be included in the July rankings update.   Here is a look at a handful of prospects who drove as far as Wichita and Manhattan to play two hours of volleyball.   I encourage athletes to claim scout-created profiles on Prep Dig or create their own free profiles. I appreciate the invitation to attend the workout.   Prep Dig subscribers should stay tuned for upcoming scouting reports from this event and summer league action at Nemaha Central.   [player_tooltip player_id='222564' first='Brooklyn' last='Benoit'], 6'0”, OH, Wichita Northwest, ‘26   Benoit traveled the farthest to show off her skills in the Topeka area. I had seen Benoit play club ball with the [program_tooltip program_id='515463' first='Air' last='Capital Aces'], but have yet to see her play with Grizzlies' teammates. She has plenty of bounce in her game and has garnered interest from at least one Division I program. She is currently ranked No. 16 overall by Prep Dig in the class of 2026.  She recorded 216 kills and 296 digs in 76 sets as a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='483898' first='Nora' last='Burdiek'], 5'10”, OH, Rossville, ‘27   Burdiek is currently ranked No. 13 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is super athletic and looks like a top volleyball prospect. She finished her junior season at Rossville with 312 kills in 87 sets. She has the defensive skills to play six rotations. She compiled 181 digs and 100 serve receptions last season. She looked poised during passing drills and has a silky smooth approach.   Mia Fonoti, 5'6”, S, Manhattan, ‘27   Fonoti is new to Kansas and this was the first time I had seen her play. She is a talented setter who has a take-charge attitude. She was communicating well with a group of players from all over Kansas. Fonoti moved to Kansas from West Virginia. She is the daughter of a Division I coach, so she has spent a ton of time on the court and has polished skills.   [player_tooltip player_id='553798' first='Hallie' last='Walker'], 5'10”, OH, Washburn Rural, ‘26   It was also my first time watching Walker compete. Washburn Rural prospects are always difficult to scout as they are spread out over the club scene and their program does not post public stats. Walker played junior varsity ball last season. She has a power arm and a physical frame. She stood out among the hitting options at the open gym.   [player_tooltip player_id='223572' first='Stella' last='Kelly'], 5'9”, S, Washburn Rural, ‘26   Kelly is a solid setter who shared time setting for Washburn Rural last season. She recently competed at the Fort Hays State camp and has drawn interest from multiple Division II programs. She gets quality extension and has a soft touch. There were at least eight athletes taking turns setting during drills so it was difficult to watch them all closely. Kelly is a solid self-promoter which will help with her recruitment. She will have to compete to be the primary setter for Junior Blues and it appears she will be competing for a new club team in 2025.

I still can't wrap my head around the growth of volleyball in Kansas and how athletes from different schools come together to form club teams.