Athletes With State Tourney Experience: Class 4A Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 4A State Tournament, in my opinion, was the deepest and toughest tournament in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report continues this week's theme of highlighting prospects who have the opportunity to return to the state tournament in 2025. After featuring Class 6A and 5A, here is a look at prospects in Class 4A programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570438' first='Sophia' last='Wichman']</strong>, 5'8”, OH, Hayden, ‘28 (Pictured Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden finished third in the Class 4A State Tournament and has a loaded 2028 class. The Wildcats very well could head to state four years in a row. One member of Hayden's Class of 2028 who has not received as much coverage as the other is Wichman. She is ranked No. 37 overall by Prep Dig. She finished her freshman season with 43 kills, 42 digs, and 11 blocks in 42 varsity sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746958' first='Rylie' last='Whitfield'],</strong> 5'5”, S/DS, McPherson, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McPherson was loaded with senior talent last fall. The Bullpups finished fourth at the Class 4A Tournament. Whitfield was one of just a couple of underclassmen to play at the varsity level. She recorded &nbsp;708 assists and 198 digs. She is currently an unranked prospect set to be added to the Kansas Class of 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553079' first='Rebekah' last='Lassey']</strong>, 6'1”, MB, Holton, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holton is another team that is a solid bet to return to the state tournament in 2025. Holton's roster has an elite attacker ranked in the Top Five of the Kansas Class of 2027, but you can't sleep on fellow sophomore Lassey. She is a tall middle with a big reach. She finished with 40 kills and 33 blocks. Her height alone will attract college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524703' first='Addy' last='Pladson']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Clay Center, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay Center was unable to advance to the second day of the tournament, but they will be loaded for bear again in 2025. Pladson is one of three Tiger attackers in the Class of 2027. She is ranked No. 88 overall by Prep Dig. She recorded 222 kills in 94 sets. She can play six rotations and will have a solid chance of collecting 1,000 kills and digs before her prep playing days are over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='733193' first='Jaylin' last='Roush']</strong>, 6'0”, OH, Concordia, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are another solid young team. Roush is a talented hitter who is set to debut in the next set of rankings updates. She recorded 271 kills and 61 blocks during her sophomore campaign. She is another gifted athlete who is solid on the back row as well as the front row. Roush is a three-sport prospect who also plays basketball and softball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489658' first='Justine' last='Berlin']</strong>, 5'11”, MB, Clearwater, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearwater featured a loaded senior class. Berlin will be leaned to be a leader if the Indians return to the state dance. She is ranked No. 171 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She registered 111 kills and 42 blocks. She predominately played on the front row only.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->