Rankings Update: Five Names To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, Prep Dig Kansas released updated rankings for the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two reports featured five stock risers in the rankings and four debut athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings include 250 total athletes, and seven athletes who are already verbally committed to playing college volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five athletes I feel college coaches should be working hard to recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["434374"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689ca338e1c0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Behr has been my favorite setter in this class since I saw her compete as a freshman. The top two-ranked setters in this class have already committed to play for Division I programs. I have written about her frequently enough that I feel like I know her well, but I still learn new tidbits about her. She had posted eye-popping numbers on the softball diamond as a sophomore. The back of her card shows she hit .536, drove in 45 runs, scored 32 runs, and combined for 20 extra base hits, including two roundtrippers. Add those to her sophomore volleyball stats of 829 assists, 211 kills, and 284 digs, and you've got yourself one helluva prospect. The Panther junior is ranked No. 8 overall, is the third-highest-ranked setter, and in my book, is the top uncommitted volleyball player in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["446318"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689ca338e1c77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dean is one of the most intriguing prospects in the state. She is a multiple-sport talent who could get offers to play multiple college sports. She also has a younger sister whom she loves competing with and against. If I were coaching college right now in Kansas, I would be looking to land the two of them down the road. Dean can set, she can hit, and she could play as a defensive specialist depending on a program's needs. She is also an accomplished softball pitcher. I could easily see her starting at a JUCO so she could play both sports and then transfer to a DI school after two seasons. Yet, I predict a couple of in-state Division II programs will try to obtain her services. Dean is ranked No. 16 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["483955"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689ca338e1ccd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bernal has a winning pedigree, which I love about her, but that's just extra dressing on her chef salad of skills. She is a six-rotation athlete whose numbers increased dramatically over her first two prep seasons. As a freshman, she recorded 175 kills, 194 digs, and 43 blocks. Her sophomore stat sheet included 479 kills, 271 digs, and 34 blocks. She can jump out of the gym and is worthy of a look by Division I coaches. I would not be surprised if nearby Wichita State and Barton Community College make her offers down the road. Bernal is ranked No. 21 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["553079"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689ca338e1d19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lassey has a chance to make some serious headway in her recruitment entering her junior season. College coaches searching for depth at middle blocker will want to give her a look. She plays primarily front row on a deep and talented Holton squad. During her sophomore season, she recorded 40 kills and 33 blocks. She has a long frame and a big reach suited for hammering balls at the net. Lassey is ranked No. 34 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516253"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689ca338e1d84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paul was an athlete I hoped to see at a recent open gym in Wichita. She had attended previous sessions hosted by the Wichita area club, but she did not make it to the gym on the evening I was there to scout. She is an athletic libero who plays excellent defense. She finished her sophomore season with 352 digs and committed just 37 reception errors with 649 successful serve receptions. She is ranked No. 63 overall and is the second-highest-ranked libero in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->