A Possible Dynasty In The Making: Hayden Wildcats Preview

The Hayden Wildcats graduated just two seniors on a third-place team in Class 4A.   The Wildcats return enough young talent that multiple trips to state tournaments are not out of the question for the members of the Class of 2028.   My fourth team preview features a team loaded with Prep Dig-ranked talent.   In case you missed my first three team previews, you can use the links below to access them.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-beloit-trojans-are-state-contenders/">Beloit Trojans</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-seaman-will-be-young-and-talented/">Seaman Vikings</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-panthers-ready-to-claw-their-way-to-state/">Great Bend Panthers</a>   Right now, it looks like I might scout the Wildcats at the Baldwin Tournament on September 13 and possibly a road match at Shawnee Heights on September 18.   This season, I will be scouting the Class 4A and 3A State Championship Tournaments in Hutchinson, and I would be shocked if the Wildcats miss the tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='513606' first='Hailey' last='Schmidtlein'], 6'0”, MB, ‘28   The Wildcat attack will run through Schmidtlein. She led Hayden in kills as a freshman with 440 kills in 99 sets. She is ranked No. 1 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She can improve her college recruitment stock, by increasing her block totals. She can jump out of the gym and is a multi-sport talent also ranked No. 2 overall by Prep Girls Hoop Kansas in the Class of 2028 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='503124' first='Blakely' last='Walter'], 5'9”, S, '28   Hayden's offense should be led by the sophomore setter. Walter is ranked No. 6 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She finished her freshman season with 1,043 assists in 99 sets played. She could easily approach a total of 5,000 assists for her high school career. She is another multiple-sport talent who plays basketball and softball. What I like about her game the most is that she plays with more energy than a seven-year-old hopped up on Halloween Candy.   [player_tooltip player_id='460352' first='Ella' last='Foster'], 5'4”, DS/L, '26   Foster is one of only two seniors expected to factor into the Wildcats' rotation. She is ranked No. 36 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. The senior libero is the defensive backbone for the Wildcats. She has recorded back-to-back seasons with 400-plus digs. Another 400-plus dig season would put her past the 1,500-career dig benchmark. She makes consistent first passes and plays best when the rallies are longest.   [player_tooltip player_id='835664' first='Mallory' last='Tanking'], 5'10”, OH/MB, ‘27   Tanking is ranked No. 40 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is an impressive middle who improved leaps and bounds during the club season. She perhaps has the biggest task of all on the team in trying to pick up some of the attacking slack Hayden lost with the graduation of current Villanova University player Reagan McGivern. Don't be surprised if she increases her 87 kill total from last year three or fourfold.   [player_tooltip player_id='357548' first='Reese' last='Huscher'], 5'8”, OH, '26   Huscher is the silent assassin who can get overlooked as she is verbally committed to playing college soccer at Washburn University. Yet, she finished with 157 kills last season and plays with a bulldog mentality.  She is the type of leader that this young squad can lean on when the going gets tough.   [player_tooltip player_id='570438' first='Sophia' last='Wichman'], 5'8”, OH/RS, ‘28   If Tanking must fill the left attacking shoe lost to graduation, then Wichman has to fill the right one! She saw limited varsity time as a freshman, playing in just 42 sets. However, she recorded an impressive total of 43 kills in the limited action. She is coming off a successful club season and would be one of my picks to be a “breakout athlete” in 2025.

The Hayden Wildcats graduated just two seniors on a third-place team in Class 4A.