Kansas Klassic Coverage: Hayden vs Emporia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On June 14, I scouted three matches at the Kansas Klassic, an annual high school summer tournament hosted by Seaman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted three matches and will have four reports over the next three days from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five athletes who stood out in the first match of the day between Hayden and Emporia. In a match won by the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605213' first='Mallory' last='Tanking']</strong>, 5'10”, OH/MB, Hayden, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have scouted Hayden multiple times over the past two seasons. This was the best match I have seen Tanking play. She collected six kills in the two- set victory. She played with the most confidence I have seen her play and took over the match at the net. She also collected two digs and two serve receptions. Tanking is ranked No. 100 in the Kansas Class of 2027 and made a strong argument to be moved up the rankings board during the next round of updates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503124' first='Blakely' last='Walter']</strong>, 5'7”, S, Hayden, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first saw Walter play when she was an eighth grader, and she continues to shine each time I scout her. She was a stat monster for the Wildcats against the Spartans. She finished with 13 assists, nine digs, and five kills in the win. She dumped the ball often in this match and posted one of the better defensive performances that I have witnessed. She is ranked No. 6 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028 and is the top-ranked setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='460352' first='Ella' last='Foster']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Hayden, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foster is the grizzled veteran on this team. She finished the match with five digs, five serve receptions, and one ace. Her serve had some extra movement on it during this match. She was one of the first Wildcat players to arrive at the gym and was dialed in. She is a quick libero and is the third-ranked libero in the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699369' first='Molly' last='Williams']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Emporia, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Emporia player that impressed me the most was Williams. She is ranked No. 105 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She has long arms for a libero. She has a calm platform and was peppered by the Wildcats all match long. She registered 15 serve receptions and seven digs. She also recorded two aces and has a better serve than I remember seeing from her prior today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357545' first='Jade' last='Xu']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Emporia, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xu is a quiet assassin who will always get a handful of kills in every set. She is ranked No. 42 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. I learned today that she has verbally committed to playing for the Emporia State Hornets. She is a long six-rotation prospect. She recorded six serve receptions, six digs, and one block against Hayden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->