Deck’s Deep Dive: Club Coverage And January Plans

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy New Year, Prep Dig Nation!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night the world celebrated the ringing of a new year, and I turned another year older in my sleep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yep, this New Year's Baby had a birthday, and Prep Dig Kansas begins its sixth year of coverage today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig grew both in the number of athletes featured last season and in the number of subscribers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to start the new year with a deep dive report setting out my plans and goals for the month of January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off, an update for the Kansas Class of 2026 is scheduled for next week. There will be an impressive number of debut athletes in the rankings, including some who were featured last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Secondly, I will be featuring the Class of 2028 in Kansas Leaderboard reports in January looking at leaders in kills, assists, digs, and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last but not least, I intend to spend my Saturday mornings this month in Lawrence watching club ball. My focus during club season will be scouting members of the Classes of 2027-2029. &nbsp;I have gotten some invites to watch 18U and 17U matches already this season, but more than likely won't make it to very many matches in those age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If your team has a practice or open gym that you would like me to attend, feel free to reach out and I will see where it fits in my schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend I watched 14U matches in Lawrence, and plan on scouting two January 4, 15U Power League Pre-Qualifier matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we move through club season, I can't express enough the importance of athletes getting noticed and the need for communication. Feel free to come by and say hi when I am at an event, and if you know that I watched you at an event -- but have not seen yourself featured on Prep Dig then feel free to follow up with an email or a direct message on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I often create profiles for athletes that do not get featured right away, and athletes can create their <strong>FREE</strong> profiles by using this link <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I finished December with two reports on players in the Class of 2029 that I saw play for Kansas Networks and the Topeka Saints on December 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five other prospects I saw compete for [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 14-2 and Velocity 14-1 in Lawrence on the final Saturday in December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738100' first='Stevie' last='Mayers']</strong>, 6'0”, MB, Great Bend, ‘29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayers is a long prospect playing for Velocity. She was tied for the team lead with three kills in the match I scouted. She moves well and is a great high school program that will allow her to evolve her skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738103' first='Mila' last='Simic'],</strong> 5'11”, MB, Hoisington, ‘29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simic is an impressive young talent. Her older sister Sofia is ranked by Prep Dig. She is more physical than her older sister, but not quite as quick right now. She finished with three kills, two serve receptions, and one ace in the match in Lawrence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738099' first='Blayre' last='Moore']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Ellinwood, ‘29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is another athlete on this squad with an older sister ranked by Prep Dig. She plays libero for Velocity and racked up 10 serve receptions in the match I watched. She also chipped in four digs and one ace. I liked her quickness and her take-charge attitude on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738108' first='Adrianna' last='Otero']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Olathe North, ‘29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']'s 14-2 squad a two front-row athletes that I really liked. Otero is tall and physical and recorded multiple kills in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738109' first='Kierra' last='Truelove']</strong>, 5'8”, MB, Olathe West, ‘29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olathe West is a program that produces college talent. Truelove could be joining that list when her high school career is completed. She has a nice swing and looks like she will evolve into a solid blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->