The 2026 All-Deck Team: Two Topeka Liberos Highlight This Squad

I announced the first of four All-Deck High School Squads earlier today when I featured some of the best players from the Kansas Class of 2025.   Here is the second edition which features athletes who were difference-makers as juniors. The Prep Dig Rankings and season stats did not play much of a factor in my selection process. If I were to return to coaching this is the team I would want to try to win state with.   I only made two rules for myself, first I limited the roster to nine players, and secondly for a player to be eligible I had to have seen them play at some point during the season just like John Madden used to do.   Even those basic parameters made it difficult to make choices between some gifted and talented players.   It is my pleasure to present the All-Deck Team for the Kansas Class of 2026. I am thankful that in theory, I will have the chance to see them play prep ball again next fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='489775' first='Brynna' last='Zoeller'], 5'11”, S, Rock Creek   I recently wrote about Zoeller's performance at the Class 4A State Tournament so I won't go into a ton on her. She is simply one of the most impressive athletes I have seen play at a 4A school. She will play six rotations on this team splitting time at setter and hitting from the pin.   [player_tooltip player_id='553835' first='Brecken' last='Boudreaux'], 5'8”, OH, Beloit   Boudreaux is one of my favorite “jumpers.” She is super athletic and brings a ton of skill to the table. She can also play six rotations, however, on this team, she will serve as our number-one outside-hitting option.   [player_tooltip player_id='154038' first='Ella' last='Florez'], 5'9” S/RS, Mill Valley   Florez will share time setting with Zoeller. She is used to playing on a team with a ton of hitting options so she will fit right into this offense. With these two setters on the roster, the offense is sure to run as smooth as knife through butter. Florez has verbally committed to play for Iowa State.   [player_tooltip player_id='222091' first='Avery' last='Sands'], 5'7”, OH/DS, Lansing   I have been watching Sands play for a long time and I love her energy. She has worked as a hitter and as a defensive specialist. She would need to be both on this squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='460352' first='Ella' last='Foster'], 5'4”, L, Hayden   Foster is one of the top defenders in the Kansas Class of 2026. She had an outstanding performance in the 4A State Tournament. I expect her to have a good solid club season which will hopefully light a spark on her recruitment.   [player_tooltip player_id='685572' first='Avery' last='Wiley'], 5'7”, DS/L, Shawnee Heights   With Foster as my libero Wiley will serve as the primary back row specialist and back up the Hayden prospect at Libero. Wiley is super quick and has verbally committed to play for Washburn.   [player_tooltip player_id='489650' first='Taylor' last='McDonald'], 6'1”, MB, Valley Center   McDonald is the first of three middles on this roster. She is a tall timber who can block and can smack balls. She has verbally committed to play for Montana State.   [player_tooltip player_id='551804' first='Addison' last='Schwinn'], 5'10”, MB, Jefferson West   Schwinn is a dangerous middle who would get more attention if she played at a big school. The Tigers had a solid season and are a team that I predict will find a way to qualify for the State Tournament next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='554328' first='Ryann' last='Langvardt'], 6'0”, MB/OH, Wamego   There were a couple of players I considered for the final spot on the roster, and ultimately I decided to add another middle with Wamego's Langvardt. She might be just scratching the surface of how impactful she can be on a match. It was a flip the coin situation between her and Kapaun's [player_tooltip player_id='489751' first='Mason' last='Palace'] who had a solid match in the Class 5A State Tournament.   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='489345' first='Brooke' last='Doile'] (MB), McPherson;  [player_tooltip player_id='474147' first='Karsyn' last='Hastert'] (OH), [player_tooltip player_id='357548' first='Reese' last='Huscher'] (OH), Hayden; Cair Paravel; [player_tooltip player_id='223572' first='Stella' last='Kelly'] (S), Washburn Rural; [player_tooltip player_id='523672' first='Chloe' last='Kmiecik'] (MB),  De Soto; [player_tooltip player_id='355651' first='Neely' last='Leathers'] (S), Olathe West; [player_tooltip player_id='222089' first='Grace' last='Martin'] (OH) St. Thomas Aquinas; [player_tooltip player_id='571405' first='Olivia' last='Nzioki'] (MB), Mill Valley; [player_tooltip player_id='489751' first='Mason' last='Palace'] (MB), Kapaun Mt. Carmel; [player_tooltip player_id='222087' first='Carlie' last='Pandjaris'] (DS), Blue Valley West; [player_tooltip player_id='355652' first='Elle' last='Pederson'] (DS), St. James Academy; [player_tooltip player_id='501970' first='Dayne' last='Shriver'] (MB), Washburn Rural; [player_tooltip player_id='553797' first='Cadence' last='Shrout'] (RS), De Soto; [player_tooltip player_id='222097' first='Taylor' last='Stanley'] (OH), Blue Valley Southwest;   [player_tooltip player_id='222099' first='Ella' last='Stowell'] (MB), Olathe West; [player_tooltip player_id='551328' first='Tinley' last='Travis'] (OH), Maize; [player_tooltip player_id='222090' first='Alayna' last='Vaeth'] (S), St. Thomas Aquinas; [player_tooltip player_id='472938' first='Hailie' last='Vaughn'] (OH), Blue Valley Southwest; [player_tooltip player_id='222092' first='Willow' last='Weninger'] (RS) Blue Valley Southwest; [player_tooltip player_id='357545' first='Jade' last='Xu'] (OH), Emporia.

I announced the first of four All-Deck High School Squads earlier today when I featured some of the best players from the Kansas Class of 2025.