Kansas Recruiting News And 16s American Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HOA Volleyball is hosting a Regional Bid tournament tomorrow in Lawrence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I plan on scouting a couple of early matches in the 16 American Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at three prospects I look forward to seeing play tomorrow; however, before I get to that, I would also like to share a recruiting update for a ranked prospect in the Kansas Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you see me in Lawrence tomorrow, come say hi!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222091' first='Avery' last='Sands'],</strong> 5'7”, DS/L, Lansing, ‘26 (Missouri State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I discovered this morning that Sands has verbally committed to Missouri State University. This news made my whole day! I even teared up a little when I reposted [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']'s announcement of the singing on X and when I called the Lansing Athletic Director to pass on my congratulations to Sands. I have featured her several times on Prep Dig and watched her play while I worked for the Leavenworth Times. She is a natural athlete who can play six rotations. I don't know if the Bears' coaching staff will look at her as a full-time libero or a utility attacker and defensive specialist. Regardless, fans of the volleyball program in Springfield, Missouri, will fall in love with this young lady for her work on the court and as a teammate. Sand is currently ranked No. 21 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She becomes the 14th Kansas Prospect in the Class of 2026 to commit to a Division I program to play volleyball verbally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525466' first='Kylie' last='Hanni'],</strong> 5'3”, S, Silver Lake, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanni plays for KS Networks 16-2. I plan on watching their first match of the day against Shockwave 16-2 at 8:00 am on Court One. Hanni is a multi-sport prospect who is ranked No. 86 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is coming off an outstanding basketball season for the Eagles. I want to hone in to see just how athletic she is. I am not sure I have seen her play either sport since her freshman volleyball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='714529' first='Charly' last='Vollertsen'],</strong> 6'0”, OH/RS, Garden City, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the teams I plan on watching tomorrow is the SW Pursuit 16-1 squad. I don't get to see Western Kansas athletes play nearly often enough, so I am looking forward to seeing this team play, which consists of mostly players from Garden City. &nbsp;Vollertsen is playing up on this team. She is a member of the Class of 2028 and ranked No. 13 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She finished her freshman season with 201 kills in 94 sets to finish second on the Buffaloes' squad in kills. I plan to catch the Pursuit take on MAVS KC 16-1 in a match scheduled for 8:50 am on Court One.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='601072' first='Ella' last='Avey']</strong>, 5'11”, S/RS, Bishop Carroll, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the volleyball and time gods treat me right, I plan on watching Avey and her KS Networks 16-1 teammates play on Court Two in a match scheduled to start at 9:40 am. Avey is currently ranked No. 69 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. Avey is a lefty who plays setter and hits from the right side. She leads the Wichita area club team in assists with 843. She played just 33 sets at the varsity level last season for a deep and talented Bishop Carroll squad. I am not sure I have seen her play and am looking forward to watching her in person if the schedule stays on time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->