The All Deck Team: Highlighted Prospects From This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between June 10-15, I scouted at three live events over four days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over 30 High school teams competed at Lansing, El Dorado, and Topeka.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long-tenured Prep Dig subscribers already know that the former coach in me loves to put together dream teams. The newest list of All-Deck teams features nine athletes from the three events I scouted this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only rules I made for creating this squad were that I could not select more than three athletes from one event, and I had to watch the team play. There were multiple teams that I missed seeing with multiple courts going on at once at each event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a treat to be in the gym last week. I appreciate the coaches who sent me roster information beforehand, and the players who went out of their way to say hello at each site. Prep Dig Kansas continues to increase its network and it is starting to feel like a family when I see so many familiar faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usually, readers would find several “Tall Timbers” on my squad, however, this particular squad features elite jumpers who will play at an “atomic energy” level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Holton, '27 (Kansas Klassic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson had the most dominant individual match that I saw this past week. She was on fire for Holton against Shawnee Heights and was dropping balls like informers drop dimes. She had 13 kills for the Wildcats and was executing attacks down the line, cross-court, and on tips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493491' first='Tori' last='Buss']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Wichita North, '25 (Butler CC Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second-best performance I witnessed belonged to North's Buss. The Redhawk outside can jump out of the gym and hits with authority and accuracy. In a match at Butler CC's Power Plant, she collected six kills against Remington. She is an emotional leader and athlete I hope I get to see her play at least once more before her high school career is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='552358' first='Aubrey' last='Schmlezle']</strong>, 5'9”, OH, Sabetha '25 (Kansas Klassic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After my first two picks, it became difficult to pick the final seven members. I saw a ton of talent and there were plenty of tough decisions. Schmlezle is a six-rotation “Jack-Of-All-Trades” type of athlete. She represents the second team member from action in the tournament hosted by Seaman. The Blue Jay prospect recorded three kills, two blocks, four digs, and one ace in a match against Riley County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222091' first='Avery' last='Sands']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Lansing, '26 (Lansing Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lansing's Sands is the first All-Deck representative out of the Lansing Tournament on June 10. She can play outside hitter or defensive specialist as she is a six-rotation athlete. I can't remember ever seeing her have a poor match. I have, however, seen the disappointment and fire in her eyes after a state tournament defeat last season. She is another big-time jumper on this team and will make the necessary sacrifices to help her team win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513606' first='Hailey' last='Schmidtlein']</strong>, 6'0”, MB, Hayden, '28 (Lansing Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to imagine that out of more than a dozen varsity teams I scouted this week a freshman earns a spot on it, let alone two. Schmidtlein is a gifted athlete and the only 6-footer on the squad. She has natural jumping ability and I needed a fast middle who can keep up with the rest of this squad. The Hayden prospect is currently the No. 1 ranked Kansas athlete in the class of 2028. She shows no signs of being intimidated by taller and more experienced athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551318' first='Gracie' last='Tucker']</strong>, 5'10”, MB, Circle, '26 (Butler CC Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker was the toughest choice for this club, but also the easiest. Once I got to the final selection for my final front-row athlete, I chose the one who played with a “Bulldog Mentality.” She is a fierce competitor and I was enamored with her play in the Butler Tournament. I am usually harping on athletes to “not be so nice,” but Tucker hits the ball like it stood her up for prom.  I appreciate the physicality and spirit of the Circle prospect. She earned the spot over two high-quality front-row prospects from Wichita North, who are among the honorable mentions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513600' first='Blakely' last='Walter']</strong>, 5'6”, S, Hayden, '28 (Lansing Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm going to predict that in any tournament Walter is at for the rest of her high school career nine times out of ten she gets selected for that event's All-Tournament team. She plays with the energy of a newborn puppy, non-stop and full of orneriness. She is an outstanding setter and can play all six rotations. She caught the jealous eyes of opposing coaches at the Lansing tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551328' first='Tinley' last='Travis']</strong>, 5'7”, S, Maize, '26 (Butler CC Tournament)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my coverage of Maize prospects earlier this week I described Travis as playing with  “Starbucks Triple-Shot energy;” and that might be underselling her. The combination of Travis and Walter has floor leaders this team will fly with the speed of a flock of Peregrine Falcons and with the grace of a flock of Canadian Geese. She is a prospect with an amazing vertical and brings a whole toolbox worth of versatility to the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='518884' first='Avery' last='Willey']</strong>, 5'7”, DS, Shawnee Heights, '26 (Kansas Klassic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the selections of Wilson and Buss, this was the easiest selection for this All-Deck squad. Willey had my head spinning and eyes popping with the performance she posted against Holton. She finished with six serve receptions, four digs, and three kills against the Wildcats. She would take a bullet for a teammate and has the instincts and speed on the court to jump in front of said bullet. Willey is too good not to play college ball and will have multiple college suitors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='518358' first='Brooklyn' last='Andrews'], </strong>Lansing;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='552355' first='Erin' last='Boltz']</strong>, Sabetha; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492580' first='Lauren' last='Crotinger']</strong>, Jefferson West; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495681' first='Cora' last='Daggett']</strong>, Wichita North; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446318' first='Harriet' last='Dean']</strong>; Jefferson West; <strong>Ytzel Grajeda-Del Rio</strong>, Wichita North; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529956' first='Samantha' last='Gray']</strong>, Lansing; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551296' first='Andrea' last='Hernandez']</strong>, Wichita North; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493591' first='Olivia' last='Hughes']</strong>, Maize; &nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153938' first='Saida' last='Jacobs']</strong>, Mill Valley; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551344' first='Landry' last='Jenzen']</strong>, Remington; &nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='552361' first='Caileigh' last='Kilgore']</strong>, Louisburg; <strong>Chole Kmiecik</strong>, De Soto; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524698' first='Brylee' last='Lindgren']</strong>, Maize; <strong>Riley Mitoska</strong>, Riley County;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='446317' first='Clara' last='Morgan'], </strong>Shawnee Heights; <strong>Kolby Noel</strong>, Jefferson West;<strong> Taylor Russell</strong>, Circle; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551352' first='Bentlea' last='Sampson']</strong>, Circle; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515147' first='Elizabeth' last='Schuster']</strong>, Holton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551804' first='Addison' last='Schwinn']</strong>, Jefferson West; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553797' first='Cadence' last='Shrout']</strong>, De Soto; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489785' first='Reianna' last='Vega']</strong>, Shawnee Heights; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219724' first='Lauren' last='Welch']</strong>, Maize; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551350' first='Addi' last='Wisdom']</strong>, Maize; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551331' first='Ellie' last='Wisdom'], </strong>Maize<strong>; [player_tooltip player_id='493574' first='Zoe' last='Wisdom']</strong>, Maize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->