Ellinwood Eagles Set Their Sites On State Tournament Return

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 42-win season and a fourth-place finish in the Class 2A State Tournament last season, the Ellinwood Eagles will be shooting for a return to Dodge City in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were super young last season, but have a year of experience under their belts, and will be losing just one key piece from last year's roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will be an athletic squad, but will be looking to prove that they can disrupt opponents at the net after losing their top blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the sixth team preview on Prep Dig Kansas this week. If you missed any of the previous previews, you may use the links below to check them out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-beloit-trojans-are-state-contenders/">Beloit Trojans</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-seaman-will-be-young-and-talented/">Seaman Vikings</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-panthers-ready-to-claw-their-way-to-state/">Great Bend Panthers</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/a-possible-dynasty-in-the-making-hayden-wildcats-preview/">Hayden Wildcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/team-preview-silver-lake-eagles-set-to-soar/">Silver Lake Eagles</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right now, I anticipate scouting Ellinwood's early-season road match at Beloit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at ranked athletes expected to have significant roles in the Eagles' 2025 rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489348' first='Kyndal' last='Moore']</strong>, 6'0”, MB,'26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is ranked No. 23 overall and has verbally committed to Emporia State. She is the top returner attacker for the Eagles. She finished her junior season with 256 kills. She has an excellent combination of size and vertical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524466' first='Regan' last='Widener']</strong>, 5'10”, RS, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Widener is the second returning Eagle coming off a season with 200-plus kills. She collected 234 kills in 102 sets played as a junior. She has an excellent serve and returns with the most aces from a season ago, with a total of 58. She is ranked No. 64 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516259' first='Alyvia' last='Batchman']</strong>, 5'7”, S/OH, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batchman had a solid sophomore season and is a six-rotation athlete. Her sophomore season stat line included 421 assists, 156 kills, and 193 digs. She is expected to share setting duties this season for Ellinwood. Batchman is ranked No. 24 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800309' first='Bennett' last='Jacobs']</strong>, 5'5”, DS/L, '27 (Pictured Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacobs is the returning leader in digs for the Eagles and is expected to be wearing the libero jersey this season. She recorded 343 digs last fall. Jacobs is ranked No. 64 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='556362' first='Mette' last='Maxwell']</strong>, 5'7”, S/OH, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maxwell missed some time last season with an injury. She is another six-rotation stud who will share the setting responsibilities. She led the Eagles in assists as a freshman with 554 in 95 sets played. She also collected 158 kills and 197 digs. Maxwell is ranked No. 16 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809536' first='Ayla' last='Ritchie']</strong>, 5'11”, MB, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ritchie is ranked No. 31 by Prep Dig Kansas. She is the top returning blocker for Ellinwood. She finished her freshman season with 66 blocks in 92 sets. She also recorded 82 kills. Look for both of those totals to increase in her sophomore campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624612' first='Brynn' last='Widener']</strong>, 5'10”, DS/L, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger Widener is ranked No. 50 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She will see some time in the back row for Ellinwood. She registered 128 digs as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='620765' first='Jaizley' last='Andrasek']</strong>, 5'8”, RS, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrasek saw limited varsity time as a freshman. However, she is expected to play a bigger role in 2025. She is ranked No. 60 overall in the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836999' first='Raegan' last='Wirtz']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/L, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wirtz is expected to see increased varsity time this season as a back-row option. She is ranked No. 115 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->