Quick Hits On 2027 Kansas Showcase Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the Prep Network booth got slammed during the second day of the KSHSAA Coaching School in Salina, KS, I took the time to go back over my notes from the Missouri/Kansas Stock Up Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to provide a quick hit on some of the participating talent not featured in Saturday or Sunday reports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 120 participants I only saw a limited action by a few athletes and missed some completely. For that, I apologize, but I only have two eyes and can only be on one court at a time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at Kanas talent from the class of 2026 who attended the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Melanee “Mel” Murphy</strong>, 5'7, S, Mill Valley, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murphy is currently ranked No.  28 overall by Prep Dig. She posted highlights on her X account from the Showcase. Always a solid idea. She adjusted to the different hitters at the showcase and put them in solid hitting positions with her sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='580722' first='Kendyll' last='Nash']</strong>, 5'4”, S, Maize South, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nash communicated well during the defensive drills I saw her in. She will benefit from the extra exposure in the long run. She played at the junior varsity level last season for the Mavericks and will compete for a varsity spot this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446312' first='Avery' last='Brooks']</strong>, 5'9”, OH, Blue Valley West, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks is currently ranked No. 42 overall by Prep Dig. Brooks has a smooth approach and bounce in her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551331' first='Ellie' last='Wisdom']</strong>, 5'8”, S, Maize, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wisdom was a prospect I was excited to see at the Showcase, but she just kind of blended in with the competition. She seemed to be more aggressive when I saw her play with her prep team in summer action at Butler Community College. She is blessed with natural talent and you can tell she had grown up in a volleyball family.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586626' first='Addison' last='Davee']</strong> 6'4, MB, Maize South, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am not sure how I missed a six-foot-four middle, but I did not notice Davee until she came up to introduce herself after the showcase was over. That says a ton about her maturity level and her appreciation for the opportunity to compete. I am sure I will see more of her down the road because she is super tall and physical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446331' first='Ali' last='Jo Henry']</strong>, 5'8”, OH,&nbsp; Nemaha Central, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, I did not spend much time watching Henry as I had seen her play multiple times this summer. She is an accomplished hitter and is a leader for her prep team. She is currently ranked No. 47 in the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483894' first='Sofia' last='Simic']</strong>, 6'0, OH, Hoisington, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simic is currently ranked No. 8 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. I watched her play club ball last season and look forward to seeing her compete in the Showcase. She has a smooth approach and hits the ball with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492582' first='Lexi' last='Blaine']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/L, Mill Valley, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blaine is currently ranked No. 101 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She a spark plug athlete and competed with high energy. She was very supportive of the other athletes at the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446319' first='Izzy' last='Bryan']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/L, Pleasant Ridge, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan is currently ranked No. 73 overall and as the No. 11 libero in the Kansas class of 2027. I looked all day for her, but did not see her until she came up to say hi to me at the end of the showcase. She is a tough libero I saw her play multiple times in 2023. She will need to step up and be a leader on a young Pleasant Ridge team with a new head coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->