Small School Standouts With Great Expectations

A Kansas Corn Field At Sunset: Photo By Robert Kelly

Jeremy Deckard June 12, 2025 @ 08:48 AM

I grew up in a small Kansas town and coached at four different small Kansas schools. I understand how difficult it can be for small school student-athletes to get exposure to college coaches.   Even in today's vast world of social media, it is still challenging.   Small-town athletes may not have the resources to access an elite club team from a big city, but athletes at small schools still have dreams of playing college sports.   The sites under the Prep Network umbrella provide a solid path for extra exposure.   Here is a look at six Kansas-ranked prospects from small towns with large expectations heading into the fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='526190' first='Halle' last='Mizner'], 5'9”, OH, Rock Hills, '26   Mizner is ranked No. 89 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She recorded 363 kills for the Grizzlies last season. She has a shot at reaching the 1,000-kill plateau during her senior season. Through three seasons, she has registered 708 career kills. She is also an accomplished basketball prospect who scored 15.5 points per game and averaged 9.7 rebounds per contest last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='523698' first='Mayzie' last='Warden'], 5'2”, DS/L, Haven, '26   Warden is ranked No. 123 overall. She is a talented dual-sport athlete. She finished her junior season with 456 digs in 86 sets. She will make a run at 1,000 career digs this fall. She has recorded 813 digs over the past two seasons. She also is a top-notch softball player. She posted Aaron Judge-type numbers this spring, hitting .494 with 14 doubles and 30 RBI.   [player_tooltip player_id='731824' first='Brooklyn' last='Newland'], 5'10”, MB, Neodesha, '26   Newland is ranked No. 270 overall by Prep Dig. She recorded 196 kills and 57 blocks during her junior campaign. The Blue Streak Middle has a nice reach and jumps well. She is a prospect who could benefit from getting more exposure on the club scene.   [player_tooltip player_id='480402' first='Drew' last='Bruna'], 5'11”, MB, Hanover, '27   Bruna is ranked No. 63 overall in the Prep Dig Kansas rankings. She recorded 347 kills during her junior campaign. She enters her senior season with 661 kills and is poised to make a run at reaching the 1,000-kill benchmark.  She is among the top small school blockers finishing with 78 last season in 88 sets played. She also plays basketball for the Wildcats, scoring 9.7 points and grabbing five rebounds per contest last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='483912' first='Gretchen' last='Bott'], 5'7”, OH, Linn, '27   Bott is ranked No. 92 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She finished her sophomore season with 189 kills in 88 sets played. She has 413 career kills heading into her junior campaign. She also plays basketball for the Bulldogs. She averaged 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in her sophomore season.   [player_tooltip player_id='483902' first='Weslynn' last='Russell'], 5'9”, MB, Galena, '27   Russell is ranked No. 105 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. Galena was the very first school that I coached at in 1997, so I know how small it is. Russell finished with 150 kills in 80 digs in 37 sets worth of reported stats.

I grew up in a small Kansas town and coached at four different small Kansas schools. I understand how difficult it can be for small school student-athletes to get exposure to college coaches.