Kansas Leaderboard: 2027 Defensive Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the second report this week on the top defensive players in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report features ranked athletes with at least 400 digs this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is not an all-inclusive list, as unranked athletes are not included; they will be featured later. Also not all schools post public statistics, and the cutoff point for this report is 400 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While yesterday's report focused on defensive specialists and liberos, this report also includes hitters who also excel on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800284' first='Amyah' last='Werth']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/L, Hillsboro, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Werth is ranked No. 91 overall in the Prep Dig Kansas rankings. She finished as the unofficial leader in digs among juniors. She recorded 698 digs in 105 sets played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800566' first='Sydnee' last='Sleichter']</strong>, 5'0”, DS/L, Santa Fe Trail, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleichter is ranked No. 147 overall in the Class of 2027. She finished her junior year with 549 digs in 94 sets played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809394' first='Jaylie' last='Whitehead']</strong>, 5'5”, DS/L, Silver Lake, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silver Lake's Whitehead is ranked No. 104 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She racked up 531 digs in 98 sets played for the State Champion Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Holton, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is ranked No. 9 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is one of the best uncommitted six-rotation athletes in this Kansas Class. She finished her junior season with 471 digs in 114 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529955' first='Grace' last='Zeller']</strong>, 5'9”, OH, Wabaunsee, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zeller is ranked No. 122 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She is another powerful hitter who can play solid defense. She finished with 464 digs in 87 sets played for the Chargers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800648' first='Ellie' last='Thimmesch']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Inman, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Inman's Thimmesch is ranked No. 218 overall. She registered 454 digs in 92 sets played as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836880' first='Peyton' last='Gentry']</strong>, 5'8”, OH/S, Scott Community, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gentry is ranked No. 102 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. She finished her junior season with 448 digs, 309 kills, and 148 assists for the Beavers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800516' first='Meghan' last='Hundley']</strong>, 5'3”, DS/L, Maur Hill Prep, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hundley is ranked No. 211 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She recorded 417 digs in 84 sets played for the Ravens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828492' first='Nora' last='Burdiek']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Rossville, '27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burdiek is ranked No. 38 overall. If Wilson is not the top uncommitted six rotation talent, then the Rossville prospect is in the argument. She finished her junior season with 403 digs in 103 sets for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->