The All-Deck Team: Abilene Spiketacular All-Stars

I love putting together All-Star teams, and yes I still vote for players to make the MLB All-Star Game. Although, voting online is not nearly as fun as punching the old-fashioned ballots at the ballpark.   Before I head out to catch a Kansas City Royals game today, I wanted to share one last report from the Abilene Spiketacular. I saw tons of special talent at the two-day event and wanted to imagine what it would be like to coach a squad of standout athletes from the tournament.   The rules I applied to myself for this edition of the All-Deck Team were that I could use only two players from the same team. I could only use the players that I watched. Unfortunately, I missed scouting a couple of teams at the tournament including Axtell, Belle Plaine, Clay Center, and Salina South. I also did not put any freshmen athletes in the actual club. I hope to make the summer tournament in Abilene an annual stop and those younger athletes will get their chance in the future. I did list two 2028 athletes as Honorable Mention squad members.   Without further ado, here is the all-tournament team from the historic Cowtown which includes Mustangs, Cowgirls, Eagles, and Indians.   [player_tooltip player_id='493398' first='Sophia' last='Thompson'], 6'1”, MB, Beloit, ‘25   Thompson is a physical hitter who glides gracefully through the air.  She had two outstanding matches I watched and Beloit was one of two dominant teams in the tournament. She is ranked No. 6 overall by Prep Dig and has verbally committed to Wichita State University. Limiting myself to only two players from Beloit was difficult as the Trojans' starting six could all be included.   [player_tooltip player_id='489348' first='Kyndal' last='Moore'], 6'0”, MB, Ellinwood, ‘26   Moore and Thompson would be co-MVPs of the tournament in my book. She had the most impressive match of Day One in Abilene. She is currently ranked No. 45 overall in the class of 2026 by Prep Dig Kansas. Moore is quick, physical, hits the ball hard, and can play defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='173375' first='Addison' last='Budke'], 6'0”, MB, Beloit, ‘25   I had not seen Budke play since club season, and I liked her even more playing with her high school teammates. She is currently ranked No. 6 overall and committed to Nebraska Kearney. She is super flexible for an athlete of her size and plays with a solid defensive platform. Budke and Thompson might be the best “Country Duo” since Brooks and Dunn.   [player_tooltip player_id='275626' first='Kennedy' last='Behnke'], 5'11”, MB, Ellinwood ‘25   The Eagles had two special matches I spied with my own eyes. She is currently ranked No. 59 overall by Prep Dig. She is a six-rotation talent who is coming off a hamstring injury. She had a dominant match against Abilene. She should have a huge season for the Eagles. Behnke is still uncommitted and I could see Division II programs making her serious offers, and she could garner attention from the Division I level.   [player_tooltip player_id='514813' first='Arabell' last='Razzano'], 5'6”, S, Wamego, ‘25   Razzano was one of two setters that set the bar at the Abilene Tournament. The other was Beloit's Jaidyen Follis. Razzano was playing with a hodge-podge Indians rotation that was impacted by injuries. However, the Wamego setter did not skip a beat and distributed 16 assists in a match against Smith Center. She is under-ranked by Prep Dig at the moment. She is also a standout softball prospect, so she should have multiple college options, possibly in two sports.   [player_tooltip player_id='557051' first='Reese' last='McCullough'], 5'5”, DS/L, Abilene, ‘26   McCullough gets the nod as my libero. She is a gritty player I saw stand in front of high-powered hits from the top-four hitters on this all-star squad. She has quick feet and is a vocal leader. This team is staked on the front row so she will need to be the leader on the back row. Beloit and Ellinwood also had impressive liberos worthy of honorable mention.   [player_tooltip player_id='557053' first='Kambree' last='Bryson'], 5'8”, DS/OH, Abilene, ‘26   The toughest choice I had to make for this team was which second Abilene athlete to include. Three Cowgirls made impressive arguments with their play to be included. In the end, I picked Bryson over teammates [player_tooltip player_id='557059' first='Tailyn' last='Needham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='557056' first='Renatta' last='Heintz']. Bryson is the most polished player of the three and gives me the best back-row option. Needham plays a more physical game and I am overstocked with big hitters. Heintz played much better on Day Two of the tournament including a couple of blocks against Beloit's Brooks and Dunn.   McKinley Dunlop, 5'10”, OH/S, Salina Central, ‘26   Dunlop is a dangerous lefty from Salina Central who can serve as my backup setter. She is very versatile and I could plug her in anywhere on this team. She is playing for a young Salina Central club that will have some growing pains this fall. She will be the key cog to bring that team together and would serve in the role of the “utility glue” on this all-star squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='557767' first='Ava' last='Smith'], 5'9”, OH, Valley Heights, ‘26   Smith was one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. She can really jump and be dangerous at the net. Of all of the hitters on this squad, she might be the quickest. Smith plays solid defense for the Mustangs and will be the primary target in the Valley Heights offense. This final spot on the squad came down between Smith and Wamego's [player_tooltip player_id='554328' first='Ryann' last='Langvardt']. It was the speed of Smith's game and her defensive skills that earned her the nod over Wamego's [player_tooltip player_id='554328' first='Ryann' last='Langvardt']. Langvardt's game is more powerful and physical.   Honorable Mention: Brecken Boudreux, Beloit, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='493498' first='Jaidyn' last='Follis'], Beloit, '25; [player_tooltip player_id='493503' first='Kailyn' last='Follis'], Beloit, '25; [player_tooltip player_id='557770' first='Lillie' last='Heiland'], Smith Center, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='557056' first='Renatta' last='Heintz'], Abilene, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='483944' first='Bennett' last='Jacobs'], Ellinwood, '27; [player_tooltip player_id='557774' first='Mya' last='Kohlmeier'], Wamego, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='557777' first='Samantha' last='Koelsch'], Smith Center, '27; Brixon Kolzow, Salina Central, ‘26; [player_tooltip player_id='554328' first='Ryann' last='Langvardt'], Wamego, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='518977' first='Landry' last='Litton'], Beloit, '28; [player_tooltip player_id='557245' first='Mette' last='Maxwell'], Ellinwood, '28; [player_tooltip player_id='557059' first='Tailyn' last='Needham'], Abilene, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='557772' first='Grier' last='Panzer'], Wamego, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='557368' first='Grace' last='Ostmyer'], Salina Central, ‘27'; [player_tooltip player_id='557216' first='Addi' last='Stickney'], Ellinwood, '27; [player_tooltip player_id='557773' first='Ann' last='Toerber'], Valley Heights, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='557370' first='Katy' last='Wagner'], Salina Central, '27.

I love putting together All-Star teams, and yes I still vote for players to make the MLB All-Star Game. Although, voting online is not nearly as fun as punching the old-fashioned ballots at the ballpark.