Hayden Wins Statement Match Against Bishop Miege

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what could easily be a preview of the Class 4A State Title game in November, the Hayden Wildcats made a huge statement versus Bishop Miege.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams met in one of the first matches played during the Seaman Invitational on September 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats knocked off the Class 4A state defending champion Stags 25-22, 25-23. These two hope to face each other again in Hutchinson with the Class 4A title on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on five prospects with solid performances in the highly competitive match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503124' first='Blakely' last='Walter'],</strong> S, 5'7”, Hayden, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walter played a better match overall earlier in the week against Emporia, but the young setter continues to turn heads. Walter is ranked No. 3 in the Kansas Class of 2028 rankings.  She tallied 21 assists and four digs in Hayden's win. She plays the game at a lightning-fast pace and is not intimidated by anyone or any situation on the court. She did miss a couple of serves in the win, which is uncommon for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173373' first='Reagan' last='McGivern']</strong>, MB, 6'3”, Hayden, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seaman transfer is still adjusting to her new Hayden club. She is ranked No. 3 overall in the class of 2025. She finished with five kills and three blocks in the win. She is patient and takes advantage of her swings. She has verbally committed to play for Villanova University. &nbsp;Hayden did fall to the defending state champion Seaman Vikings in the second match of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513606' first='Hailey' last='Schmidtlein'],</strong> MB, 6'0”, Hayden, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmidtlein is currently the No. 1 ranked athlete in the Kansas Class of 2028. She is a very consistent hitter and has a huge future. I can count on two hands the number of times I have heard her compared to former Washburn Rura product Brooklyn DeLeye, who currenlty plays for Kentucky University. She has multiple years of high school ball ahead of her, but she has looked like a Division I prospect every time I have seen her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173376' first='Lauren' last='Lopez'],</strong> OH, 5'10”, Bishop Miege, ‘25 (Pictured Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lopez is ranked No. 11 in the class of 2025 Prep Dig Kansas rankings and has verbally committed to play for Rockhurst. I am going to start referring to her as the “Smoothie Queen.” Her game is smoother than a George Jones Country Song or a Barry White Seventies Hit. She finished the match with eight kills, eight digs, and 10 serve receptions. It was the first time I had seen her play since last November and she did not disappoint me. She is a six-rotation player with few weaknesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154040' first='Trinniti' last='Stevens'],</strong> MB, 5'8”, Bishop Miege, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stevens is a physical player who can take over a match. She finished with eight kills and two blocks. She is currently ranked No. 69 overall in the class of 2025 rankings but will move up in October after announcing her verbal commitment to play for Middle Tennessee State. Stag teammate [player_tooltip player_id='493386' first='Kirston' last='Verhulst'] has also committed to Middle Tennessee State, but will be playing basketball instead of volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->