Scouting Practice: Hayden Wildcats Youngsters Shine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hayden Wildcats held an open practice on August 23 featuring a lengthened scrimmage session for parents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I played football we had “soap scrimmages,” but Hayden guests were asked to donate bottled drinks for the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats will be guided by Head Assistant Coach Jesica Farmer-Walter, while Head Coach Corinne McGreevy is on maternity leave. Hayden has 14 freshmen on its roster and only five other players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outsiders who have heard that this team will be young better not sleep on this team, because they are uber-talented and will compete for a spot in the state tournament come November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden could have a few growing pains early in the season and it will be interesting to see who becomes the team's vocal and emotional leader. I predict there are only three starting spots for the varsity squad locked down and the other three spots in the rotation could be a revolving door.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five prospects who stood out during Hayden's scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173373' first='Reagan' last='McGivern']</strong>, MB, 6'3”, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGivern is ranked No. 3 overall in the class of 2025 and one of only four players on the roster from the senior and junior classes. She is playing for Hayden for the first time after attending Seaman last year. This was the first time I had seen her playing with the Wildcats. She fits right into the program and seemed to playing with more energy than I saw from her at times with the Vikings. McGivern has verbally committed to play for Villanova University. She won a state championship last year with the Vikings and looks to win back-to-back titles with two separate programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605213' first='Mallory' last='Tanking'],</strong> OH, 5'10, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanking is an unranked talent I saw playing for the first time. She is long and lean with a big reach. Her skills are not quite as refined as a couple of the players she will be competing against for varsity time, but I have a feeling she might dominate in junior varsity action. Tanking plays all out and her skills will improve with gained experience. I would suggest she improve her upper-body strength if she wants to be an elite volleyball prospect. She is changing club teams this season and will be competing next year with and against more seasoned players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513606' first='Hailey' last='Schmidtlein'],</strong> MB, 6'0”, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmidtlein is the highest-ranked athlete in the Kansas Class of 2028 rankings. She is a dangerous attacker who should be registered as a lethal weapon. She is way more advanced than most freshman athletes I watch. She will attack from the middle and right side for the Wildcats. She is a two-sport prospect and a top basketball prospect as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503124' first='Blakely' last='Walter'],</strong> S, 5'7”, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walter is ranked No. 3 in the Kansas Class of 2028 rankings. She is one of just three setters listed on the roster and all three are freshmen. She will be the starter and will compete for all-league and all-state accolades. She has been featured numerous times this summer, but every time I consider not writing about her I change my mind because she is just that talented. She sold out for digs a couple of times during the scrimmage like a state title or national club title was on the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569672' first='Hadley' last='Kilgore'],</strong> MB, 6'0”, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kilgore is ranked No. 38 in the class of 2028. She took reps with at middle blocker and could break into the starting rotation before the season is over. She has a big swing and can thump the ball. She is among the better blockers on the team and will provide solid depth for the Wildcats roster if she does not eventually start for Hayden. Kilgore's performance in the scrimmage was the most impressive effort I have seen from her in person.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->