2026s – Next Season’s Big Bombers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking through the stats from this season I wanted to cover those who had great seasons and need more coverage. The seven players below have increased their kill totals from last season, improved to become solid six-rotation players and should be some of the states top attackers next season. Please let me know if you know someone who has made huge strides. I'd love to learn more about them!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236994' first='Ashley' last='Hawkins'] – &nbsp;5'9” – Outside – Bismarck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashley led her Bismarck team to a district and sectional championship and then lost to&nbsp;Class 1 champion Winona in 5. The outside hitter finished the season with 557 kills, pushing her career total to 1106. In the match with Winona, Ashley finished with a career-high 34 kills and hit .400. Ashley is a six-rotation outside with a powerful swing and plays excellent defense. Next season, Ashley will be one of the top hitters in Class 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735238' first='Sophia' last='Dotson'] &nbsp;– 5'7” – Outside – Cabool</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After missing most of last season, Sophia came back with a&nbsp;vengeance. The outside high flyer finished with 529 kills after only 44 last season. She is an intelligent outside who does a great job of mixing her power and&nbsp;finesse shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490109' first='Millie' last='Bauer'] &nbsp;– 6'3” – Outside &nbsp;– Springfield Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player with over 1000 career kills is the University of Missouri commit. Millie is a tall 6'3” with a long wingspan and a quick and agile footwork. She can hit with power, hit over the block, and hit a nasty line shot. This season, she increased her game and became a solid six-rotation terminating left-pin attacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='542220' first='Marlie' last='Karsten'] – 6'0” – Opposite – Winfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The southpaw can play some ball. She almost makes it look effortlessly. She gives her team a big blocker and a terminating six-rotation attacker. She plays solid defense, is a great passer, and is a hitter. You can just put the ball in the air, and she gets it. Marlie finished the season with 442, up from 127 last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miranda Reiger – 5'9” – Middle – Mound City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miranda is a bouncy middle school student&nbsp;who led her Class 1 team with 405 kills&nbsp;and 292 digs. She is also&nbsp;one of the team's top passers. She plays six rotations and is an outlet in the back row. Next season, Miranda will be one of the&nbsp;top middle hitters in Class 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459767' first='Mylea' last='Adams'] – 5'8” – Middle – West Plains</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A friend of mine talked about this middle from West Plains who can jump out of the gym, hit the heck out of the ball, and use her volleyball IQ to make bigger blockers look silly. After watching more films, I agree with his assessment. She is tough and quick and understands how to use the block to her advantage. Mylea finished the season with 381 kills, and I'd expect more from her next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490209' first='Gwen' last='Kubik'] – 6'1”- Outside – Nixa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gwen is a big, strong, physical outside hitter for the Eagles who can flat-out pound the ball. She can hit on either pin, play middle, play great on the defensive side of the ball, and is a solid passer. Gwen finished the season with 360 kills and will be even more deadly next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->