Gritty Thunderbirds Are Always Ready To Battle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every time I scout Shawnee Heights, I know I will be watching a gritty and battle-tested team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing with Seaman, Hayden, and Washburn Rural in their backyard, the Thunderbirds are often a program that gets overlooked, but one that continues to produce college talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 team lost just one key attacker to graduation and will be led by four solid Prep Dig-ranked athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the seventh team preview at Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed them, here are links to the six other team previews.</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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/ellinwood-eagles-set-their-sites-on-state-tournament-return/">Ellinwood Eagles</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heights seems to be a team that I scout late in the season, but as of right now, I plan to scout their home matches on September 18 against Hayden and Ottawa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='518884' first='Avery' last='Willey']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunderbirds were a solid defensive team last year, and at the heart of that backrow wall was Willey. She is ranked No. 25 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and has verbally committed to Washburn. She finished her junior season with 234 digs and 190 kills. I saw her recently at the Washburn Elite Camp, and she is fully dialed in and ready to get the season underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828349' first='Reianna' last='Vega']</strong>, 5'11”, MB, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vega is a physical middle with a long reach. She recorded 149 kills and 24 blocks last season on a crowded front row. She is ranked No. 199 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. With the graduation of their leader in kills and blocks from last season, Vega will be expected to step up her production in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553807' first='Brooke' last='McCabe']</strong>, 6'0”, MB, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCabe is another front-row threat returning for her senior campaign. She is ranked No. 210 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She registered 149 kills and 39 blocks for the Thunderbirds last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446317' first='Clara' last='Morgan']</strong>, 5'5”, S, '27 (Pictured Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan shared the setting duties last season. She finished her sophomore season with 332 assists, 177 kills, and 170 digs. She has been working on her defensive skills during the offseason. She attended multiple camps, including one at Texas Christian University. Morgan is ranked No. 23 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is also interested in playing sand volleyball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->