Tournament Preview: State Contending Field In Concordia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I plan on scouting in Concordia tomorrow morning at the tournament hosted by the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several state title-contending teams are in the field. Beloit, Nemaha Central, and Clay Center all own records among the elite teams in Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a preview of the tournament and five prospects I hope to see play depending on the schedule and pace of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173375' first='Addison' last='Budke']</strong>, 6'0”, OH, Beloit, '25 (Nebraska-Kearney)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Budke is an elite player and headed to the MIAA after graduation. She has 292 kills in 52 sets this season. Budke has reached the 2,000-career kill threshold earlier this season. I feel Budke could play Division I volleyball, so the Lopers are getting a steal with her commitment. There are multiple teams in this tournament I want to see play for the first time, but make no mistake about this Beloit's tournament to lose, and seeing the Trojans one last time this regular season is why I will be making the two-hour-plus trip to Concordia. Beloit owns a record of 22-3 entering the tournament and is the top team in Class 3A's Regional 4.  Beloit's first match in the tournament is at 9:00 am against Marysville (9-9).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515151' first='Zoey' last='Sudbeck']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Nemaha Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunder are one of the top teams in the state and one I have seen several times in the past six months. I am not sure I will catch them in this tournament, but if I do Sudbeck is a player I want to watch closely. She leads the team with 49 blocks and is second on the team with 183 kills. Beloit is a tall team so if these two teams cross paths it will be a chance for Sudbeck and the other Thunder front-liners to gauge just how good they are. Nemaha Central enters the tournament with a 27-2 record. They have the best record in Class 3A's Regional 1. This is a team that I feel is destined to be the face-off against Beloit in Hutchsinon the first week in November at the state tournament. The Thunder begin Pool A play at 10:00 a.m. against Riley County (8-15).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483905' first='Raimee' last='Lipker']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Clay Center, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay Center owns a record of 18-2 and is sitting at the top of the Class 4A West Sub-State standings. Lipker has recorded 202 kills in 46 sets for the Tigers. She is currently ranked No. 39 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. The Tigers are a team that will contend in this tournament, and have the size to give Beloit a run for their money. Clay Center is the No. 1 seed in Pool B and will open the tournament against Southeast Saline at 9:00 a.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173399' first='Macy' last='Bunch']</strong>, 5'11”, MB, Southeast Salina, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been some time since I have seen Munch play. I saw her play for Shockwave when she was younger. I went to the Southeast Tournament in 2023 but missed it this season. Depending on the morning schedule tomorrow, I look forward to seeing her and her Southeast teammates. Bunch is currently ranked No. 114 overall in the class of 2025 rankings. Southeast has a record of 12-12 is five wins behind Fredonia for the No. 8 seed in Class 3A Regional 3. The Trojans open Pool B play against Clay Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523702' first='Baylen' last='Arnold']</strong>, 5'5”, DS/L, Concordia, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are a team I have never seen compete. I have seen some of their athletes in club action, so this could be a real treat and I will be on the hunt for some young unranked prospects. One Panther in the Prep Dig rankings is junior Arnold. She is currently setting for the Panthers but also plays libero on the club scene. She has recorded 273 assists in 41 sets played this season. She Arnold is currently ranked No. 88 overall in the class of 2026. The host Panthers have a record of 10-7 and currenlty project to be the  No. 5 seed in the Class 4A West Sub-State. Concordia opens play at 9:00 a.m. against Riley County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->