Class 4A State Coverage: Andale Proves Worthy Of Top Seed

I scouted the first two matches in Pool One play of the Class 4A State Tournament in Hutchinson.   The morning started bright an early as No. 5 Seed Paola defeated No. 4 Seed Rock Creek.   Then No. 1 Seed Andale knocked off No. 8 Seed Bishop Miege.   Andale and Paola advanced to Saturday's semifinal round.   Andale (3-0) will face off against No. 2 Seed Clay Center (2-1) at 1:00 p.m.   Paola (1-2) will face No. 6 Seed Hayden (3-0) at 1:00 p.m.                Here is a look at 12 athletes who played well in Pool One.   In the immortal word of Dennis Green . . . Andale is who we thought they were.   [player_tooltip player_id='357543' first='Hayden' last='Grimes'], 5'9”, OH, Andale, '26   Grimes had one of the top two hitting performances I witnessed on Friday. She is a six-rotation outside who just missed recording a triple-double. By my count, she tallied 13 kills, nine digs, nine serve receptions, three blocks, and one ace in the win over Bishop Miege. Grimes is ranked No. 20 overall by Prep Dig Kansas and is verbally committed to Colorado State University. Prior to the tournament, she had recorded a team-high 343 kills in 65 sets.   Abbey McNeal, 5'10”, OH, Andale, '27   Andale arguably has the most dangerous one-two-hitting-punch of the State Tournament teams. McNeal finished the match against Bishop Miege with 11 kills and one block. Her elevator rides all the way to the penthouse. She hits the ball with authority. McNeal is ranked No. 56 overall. Prior to the tournament, she registered 288 kills in 65 sets played. She will be an athlete I earmark for a rise up the Class of 2027 rankings when they are next updated.   [player_tooltip player_id='807119' first='Reagan' last='Winter'], 6'2”, RS/OH, Andale, '27   Winter is a net monster in the making. She had two blocks and four kills in Andale's first match. She moves well for her size and right now is mostly utilized as a front-row weapon. Winter is ranked No. 20 overall. Winter led Andale during the regular season with 45 blocks.   Abigail Winter, 5'6”, OH,/DS, Andale, '28   The younger winter sister is as impactful on the back row as her older sister is on the front. She finished with nine digs and five serve receptions against the Stags. She is currently an unranked prospect, but that will be remedied in the coming months.   [player_tooltip player_id='800312' first='Berkley' last='Meinig'], 5'5”, DS/L, Paola, '29   This was my first time watching the Panthers play, and I was impressed by one of many sister acts. Meinig is the younger of the two sisters, but has a game beyond her age. She registered seven kills, 13 serve receptions, and eight digs in the win over Rock Creek. She is ranked No. 72 overall in the Kansas Class of 2029. In 93 sets played before the tournament, Meinig recorded 230 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='558338' first='Kinzley' last='Meinig'], 5'5”, OH, Paola, '27   The elder Meinig can jump with the best of them and plays with a special fire that can't be coached. She finished the match against the Mustangs with a team-high eight kills, five digs, and three serve receptions.   Caylee Crawford, 5'3”, DS/L, Paola, '26   Crawford had one of the better matches for liberos on Friday. She recorded a double-double with 12 digs and 10 serve receptions against Rock Creek. She is an unranked prospect whom I would recommend to NAIA coaches looking to still add defensive depth in their 2026 recruitment class.   [player_tooltip player_id='489775' first='Brynna' last='Zoeller'], 5'11”, S, Rock Creek, '26   Zoeller reminds me of former Kansas Jayhawk Camryn Turner, who will always be the benchmark for me, powerful setters. The Rock Creek junior tallied 21 assists, four kills, and four blocks in Rock Creek's loss to Paola. Zoeller is ranked No. 18 overall and has verbally committed to playing for Pittsburg State University. During the regular season, Zoeller dished out 823 assists in 81 sets played. She also registered 178 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='807843' first='Ambree' last='Portelli'], 5'4”, OH, Rock Creek, '27   Portelli is a sneaky jumper who can hammer a ball. She finished with four kills and four blocks for the Mustangs. She and Zoeller make an impressive blocking duo. She is ranked No. 82 overall. She entered the tournament with 217 kills in 71 sets played.   [player_tooltip player_id='720620' first='Brooklyn' last='Dye'] 5'7”, OH, Rock Creek, '26   Dye stepped up her game in the second set of that early match for Rock Creek. She finished with a team-high eight kills. She is ranked No. 92 overall. Dye entered the tournament as the Mustangs' leader in kills with 249 in 81 sets played. She is verbally committed to playing softball at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska.   [player_tooltip player_id='834998' first='Liv' last='Stevens'], 5'10”, OH, Bishop Miege, '27   Stevens had a solid match in the loss to Andale. She finished with a team-high 11 kills. She also filled her stat sheet up with six digs and seven serve receptions. Her defensive skills have improved since the last time I scouted her. Stevens is ranked No. 141 overall. She led the Stags in kills heading into the tournament with 280 in 71 sets played.   [player_tooltip player_id='774923' first='Kaylee' last='Ballard'], 5'11”, OH/RS, Bishop Miege, '28   Ballard had a nice outing in the Stags' opening match. She contributed four digs, two kills, and four serve receptions. She is an excellent jumper with a nice approach. She, too, surprised me with her backrow skills. Ballard is ranked No. 16 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She recorded 133 kills in 68 sets played before the tournament.

I scouted the first two matches in Pool One play of the Class 4A State Tournament in Hutchinson.