Class 3A State Contender Beloit Impressive Once Again

Brecken Boudreaux’s photo from a Prep Dig Showcase

Jeremy Deckard October 5, 2024 @ 02:22 PM

A two-plus hour drive to watch a couple of volleyball matches on a day when there were tournaments all over the state, for even me is a little nutty.   However, I promised a high school team I would see them play one more time in the regular season and there were two schools I had not seen that I desperately wanted to catch.   I made it to Concordia and back safe and sound after watching two impressive displays by state-contending powers.   Here is the first of three reports from the two matches I scouted at the Concordia Invitational on October 5.   I scouted two matches in Pool B play at Concordia's Elementary School gym.   Here is a look at four ranked prospects from Beloit's two-set win over Southeast Saline.   [player_tooltip player_id='493398' first='Sophia' last='Thompson'], 6'1”, MB, Beloit, ‘25   Thompson is currenlty ranked No. 6 overall and has verbally committed to Wichita State University. This was by far the most dominant match I have seen from her. She is long and can touch 10 feet. She had a team-high eight kills in the win over the SES Trojans. I told her after the match I have always enjoyed her game, but this was the first time I saw what the Shockers' coaching staff hopes she can accomplish at the Division I level. She can take over a game at the net, both as an attacker or as a blocker. I could tell by her expression and body language that she feels she has played better matches this season. That is the kind of attitude that college coaches want to see from highly skilled prospects.   [player_tooltip player_id='493498' first='Jaidyn' last='Follis'], 5'5”, S, Beloit, ‘25   Follis is currenlty ranked No. 31 overall and is a solid setter. She collected 20 assists in the win over Southeast. She moves the ball around and makes sure that all of her hitters are a part of the offense. It's clear she has her favorite targets, but she understands where a ball needs to go based on the first pass and her position on the court. She is still looking for her first offer. Her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='493503' first='Kailyn' last='Follis'] had another outstanding effort, but I will wait to feature her in a report early next week after an update of the Kansas Class of 2025 rankings is published.   [player_tooltip player_id='222105' first='Dakota' last='Gray'], 5'11”, MB, Beloit, ‘26   Gray was an athlete I wanted to watch closely. She was recovering from an injury over the summer when I saw Beloit in Abilene. Then she saw limited playing time in a match against Ellinwood in early September. She played her regular rotations in the win in Concordia. She has a long reach and can elevate well. She recorded four kills and two blocks against Southeast. Gray also competes in track and field as a jumper and hurdler. She has drawn interest from a Division I track program in Kansas. I would not hesitate to recommend her to NAIA or JUCO coaches in Kansas if she changes her mind about pursuing track collegiately.   [player_tooltip player_id='553835' first='Brecken' last='Boudreaux'] , 5'8”, OH/ MB, Beloit, ‘26 (Pictured Above)   Every time I see Boudreaux compete her athleticism wows me. She is currently ranked No. 14 overall in the class of 2026 by Prep Dig. She also plays basketball and now that I am lead scout at Prep Girls Hoops, I am even more intrigued by her skills. She had a quiet match compared to the one in September I watched. She finished with four kills, three digs, and two aces against Southeast It was one of the best serving matches I have seen from her. She is a consummate team player and will make any college program better. Beloit entered the tournament with a 22-3 record and project to be the No. 1 seed in Class 3A's Region Four.

A two-plus hour drive to watch a couple of volleyball matches on a day when there were tournaments all over the state, for even me is a little nutty.