Stat Monsters: Big Numbers Posted In Thrilling Three-Setter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maize Eagles hosted an eight-team tournament on September 21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All three of the first three matches went the distance. I scouted Hutchinson's victory over the host Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at Kansas athletes who showed up and balled out early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489661' first='Myka' last='Thompson']</strong>, 6'0”, S, Hutchinson, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hungriest monster of all during this match was Hutchinson's Thompson. She is currently ranked No. 144 overall in the class of 2025 and she can expect a push up the list when it is next updated. She is listed as an outside hitter in the Prep Dig rankings but is playing setter for the Salthawks.  In the victory over Maize, she collected 30 assists, 15 digs, four kills, one block, and one ace. Thompson is quick and physical. She plays with composure and is Hutch's leader. While I liked watching her set, I would like to see her hit more often. She can fill plenty of needs for a college program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493415' first='Avery' last='Meier']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Hutchinson, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meier is currently unranked by Prep Dig Kansas, but look for her to be added in October. She is a quality defensive player who can also elevate. She was all over the court in the win over Maize. She finished the match with 10 kills, 10 serve receptions, and 16 digs. I think her future at the college level is that of a back-row player, but different college programs seek different skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Posch</strong>, 5'7”, DS/L, Hutchinson, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multi-sport prospect on the Hutch roster a senior libero. Posch is currently unranked by Prep Dig but is ranked No. 43 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas as a guard. I was impressed with her defense and passing in the first match of the day. She tallied 24 digs and 13 serve receptions. She has quick feet and plays a gritty game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lynnea Alvarez</strong>, 5'5”, OH, Hutchinson, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A freshman that caught my eye in the opening was Alvarez. She wasn't much of a factor in the hitting game, but she made some impressive digs to keep long rallies going. She was also an obvious target of the Maize serve plan, but she stood her ground and made crisp passes. She finished the match with 18 digs and 14 serve receptions. She will be added to the class of 2028 rankings when next updated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219724' first='Lauren' last='Welch']</strong>, 5'6”, DS/L, Maize, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch is a prospect I have seen play many times. She never disappoints me and worked through a slight tweak in her left leg during this match. Welch is ranked No. 43 overall and verbally committed to St. Olaf College. She carried the Eagles in the loss and kept them in the match. She finished with 25 digs and 30 serve receptions. She is the backbone of the Maize roster right now which is a better defensive team with one of its best offensive weapons out with a season-ending injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551331' first='Ellie' last='Wisdom']</strong>, 5'10”, S, Maize, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wisdom is ranked No. 22 overall in the class of 2027 and is one of three Wisdom sisters on the Maize squad. She has taken over the starting setting duties from her older sister Zoe, who has suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ellie will benefit from her sister's injury as she can now be a three-year starter at setter. She had a huge match accounting for 33 assists., 10 digs, and three kills. She is faster than her older sister, but not quite as tall. Prep Dig wishes Zoe a speedy recovery. The graduating Wisdom has verbally committed to Oklahoma Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493591' first='Oliviah' last='Hughes']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Maize, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughes was leaned on heavily in the attack game with the loss of [player_tooltip player_id='493574' first='Zoe' last='Wisdom']. She is currently ranked No. 88 in the Kansas Class of 2025 and has verbally committed to play for Kansas Wesleyan. She finished with a team-high nine kills. Defenses are likely to really key on her for blocks the rest of the season. She is a jumper with a smooth approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445549' first='Bethanie' last='Haag']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Maize, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haag is an uncommitted prospect ranked No. 173 overall by Prep Dig. She finished the match with 13 digs and eight serve receptions. She has an accurate serve and finished with an ace in the loss. She would be the libero on several other teams, but her and Welch make a solid defensive combo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->