Best In The West: A Look At Four Ranked Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before Prep Dig Kansas publishes the initial rankings for the Class of 2029 next week, I thought I would spend a couple of days looking across all classes and highlighting athletes with claimed profiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report will be the first of multiple reports over the next few days before I head to McPherson College for the weekend to scout at a football combine for Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at four athletes who play in "Cattle County" in the plains of Western Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603074"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682deac0ce12c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Greeley County's Stewart is ranked No. 17 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She is one of only two athletes ranked in the Top 20 in her class that I have not seen play in person, and I feel like I am missing out. Stewart will be aiming to reach a career milestone during her senior season. After three seasons with the Jackrabbits she has recorded 1,227 total kills. The benchmark of 1,500 career kills is well within her grasp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516259"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682deac0ce188"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Batchman is the seventh-ranked setter in the Kansas Class of 2027. The Ellinwood Eagle setter will have a state tournament berth as one of her goals in her senior season. She finished her junior season with 421 assists, 193 digs, and 156 kills. After the recent Prep Dig Rankings, she is posted up in the No. 22 position among her peers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557216"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682deac0ce25d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another prospect from Ellinwood will be looking to make a name for herself heading into her junior season. As a sophomore, Stickney played in just 27 varsity sets, but her athleticism is noticeable on both the volleyball and basketball courts. She recorded 20 kills, four blocks, and 11 digs in limited action as a sophomore. On the basketball court, she averaged 3.6 rebounds and three points per game for the Eagles. Stickeny is now ranked No. 59 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523952"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682deac0ce2b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just 23 miles from Ellinwood, volleyball fans can drive down Highway 56 to see Lyons' prospect Cereceres. She is a long and bouncy athlete for the Lions. She saw limited varsity time as a freshman. She did perform well in the varsity lineup. In 27 sets played, she chipped in 28 kills and 12 blocks. She has had a solid club season and is ranked No. 41 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->