Class 5A State Final Four: Seaman Has Chance To Defend Title

Four teams ran the Class 5A Pool Play Gauntlet to advance to the semifinal round.   Here is a look at two prospects from each club who assisted in keeping their respective clubs' championship dreams intact.   [player_tooltip player_id='173374' first='Maegan' last='Mills'], OH, 6'0”, Seaman ‘25   I am no stranger to Mills' game, but I still get surprised at how quickly she can take over a match. She is a streaky powerful attacker who is difficult to block. Each time I heard a loud thud coming from Seaman's court, it was made by Mills' strong swing. She is currently ranked No. 7 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025 and has verbally committed to play for Tulsa University. Mills has been to four state tournaments in a row and will be looking to help the Vikings win two titles in a row.   [player_tooltip player_id='219738' first='Kinley' last='Wilhelm'], 5'8”, DS/L, Seaman, ‘25   Any college coaches still looking for a libero in the class of 2025 should check in on Seaman's Wilhelm, She had a quality match against St. Thomas Aquinas. It might just be my imagination, but I swear she has gotten stronger throughout the season. She and her Seaman teammates are peaking at the right time of the year. Wilhelm is currently ranked No. 96 overall in the class of 2025. Seaman, the No. 1 Seed in the field, went 3-0 on the night and will face Kapaun Mt. Carmel in the semifinals on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='222097' first='Taylor' last='Stanley'], 6'1”, OH, Blue Valley Southwest, ‘26   Stanley showed why she is the No. 1 overall ranked player in the Kansas Class of 2026. She has a sweet swing and can play six rotations. She has verbally committed to Kansas University early. She has a smooth approach and plays well under pressure.   [player_tooltip player_id='222092' first='Willow' last='Weninger'], 6'1”, RS, Blue Valley Southwest, ‘26   The Timberwolves' Weninger is a junior prospect coaches should be recruiting harder. Weninger is ranked No. 6 overall in the class of 2026 and is looking for her first offer. She can really glide and hits the ball like it made fun of her. She is one of those athletes with a unique combination of power and grace in their game. She stood out against De Soto. Blue Valley Southwest is the No. 4 Seed in the tournament and will face St. James Academy in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon.   [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'], 5'11”, S, St. James Academy, ‘25   Messer is ranked No. 2 overall and has verbally committed to USC. This was the first time in a long while that I saw Messer compete. She is stronger than I remember and can do just about anything on the court. She is the vocal and emotional leader for the Thunder.   [player_tooltip player_id='173382' first='Ashlee' last='Chavez'], 5'10”, RS, St. James Academy, ‘25   The lefty had a stellar performance in the tournament opener against Andover. Chavez is ranked No. 30 in the class of 2025. She has verbally committed to play for Missouri Southern after graduation.  She has legs like pistons and is an incredibly strong athlete which makes her difficult to block. St. James Academy is the No. 6 Seed in the tournament, finished with a record of 3-0 in pool play, and will face Blue Valley Southwest in the semifinal round.   [player_tooltip player_id='219717' first='Kaitlyn' last='Cure'], 5'9”, OH, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, ‘25   Kapaun's Cure has the cure for long rallies and that's a hammer for a right arm. She is ranked No. 69 overall by Prep Dig. Cure moves smoothly and is one of the top uncommitted athletes in the class of 2025. She had a couple of outstanding blocks and helped lead Kapaun to an upset win over the No. 2 Seed Great Bend.   [player_tooltip player_id='489751' first='Mason' last='Palace'], 6'1”, MB, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, ‘26   This was not my first time scouting Palace, but I can't remember ever seeing her jump like she did during state. She either took a long afternoon nap or ate a huge bowl of Wheaties before the tournament, as he was jumping like crazy. She had a solid first match against Great Bend and chewed up the Panthers' blockers like a beaver chews through wood. Palace is ranked No. 138 overall in the class of 2026. Kapaun Mt. Carmel is the No. 7 Seed, finished the evening 2-1, and will face Seaman in the semifinals on Saturday.

Four teams ran the Class 5A Pool Play Gauntlet to advance to the semifinal round.