Walking In Madden’s Shoes: The 2027 All-Deck Prep Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Growing up, one of my favorite television moments each year was when the legendary John Madden would announce his All-Madden team for each season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Walter Payton, and Mike Singletary are just a few of my favorite names from those days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My favorite tradition as a scout is to create my own version of an All-Madden team. I create them after the prep season and club season for Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second of three All-Deck teams and features athletes in the Kansas Class of 2026. I can honestly say it was also the hardest of the three to create. I saw a ton of talent in this year's junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, here is a link to the Class of 2026 All-Deck Team released yesterday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/11/following-tradition-the-2026-all-deck-prep-team/">2026 All-Deck Team</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I only made two rules for myself: first, I limited the roster to nine players, and secondly, for a player to be eligible, I had to see them play in person at some point during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even those basic parameters made it difficult to make choices between some gifted and talented players. I saw several schools play this season, but there were a handful that I usually watch that I missed this season, and there is never enough time to see every school I would like to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is made up of players who just finished their junior seasons. Rankings and stats do not really play much of a factor in the selection process. If I were to return to coaching, this is the team I would want to go to battle with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have featured each athlete in scouting reports this season, and again, I don't want to dwell on stats or rankings, just what they bring to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Congratulations to these nine athletes who just finished their prep volleyball careers. They are listed in alphabetical order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516259' first='Alyvia' last='Batchman']</strong>, 5'7”, S, Ellinwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing the reader will notice when this list is complete is that I have three setters. I also had a setter in my final cut for this team. The Kansas Class of 2027 is loaded with quality setters, which made it tough to decide which ones to include on this team. All three of them, including Ellinwood's Batchman, are versatile enough to hit or play some defense. Also, all three are unselfish enough to share the setting responsibilities. However, Batchman is the only one on this squad who can say she played for an undefeated state champion team this season. Her leadership will be valuable on this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483915' first='Isabella' last='(Bella) Cook']</strong>, 6'2”, MB/OH, Maize South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anchoring my front row will be Maize South's Cook. I saw her play twice this season, and she has a smooth approach and attacks the ball with menace in her heart! Her junior season with the Mavericks ended with a third-place finish in the Class 5A State Tournament. She will have the drive and determination to make a return to State in 2026. She is verbally committed to Iowa State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446318' first='Harriet' last='Dean']</strong>, 5'7”, S, Jefferson West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean has an awesome serve, so she would be my go-to-weapon as my opening server or as my off-the-bench “We Must Get A Point” serve option. She is the second setter on this team, but again has the versatility to play defensive specialist for me. I consider her one of the top uncommitted setting options in the Kansas Class of 2027. She is also a workhorse who loves the gym. She would motivate this All-Star team to continue to put in the work at practice and dog it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807813' first='Avery' last='Hemphill']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Eudora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hemphill, like Dean, is one of two athletes to make this team from teams that fell short of state tournament appearances. I saw her play in a weekend tournament this season and was super impressed with her jumping ability and the discipline in which she plays the game. Also, like Dean, she will be super motivated for her senior season and hopes to finish the season playing in the State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837012' first='Raimee' last='Lipker']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Clay Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lipker played one of the best all-around matches I witnessed in the Class 4A State Tournament. I have seen her play the past two seasons, and she continues to improve her skills. She helped guide the Tigers to a third-place finish at State. She is a six-rotation athlete who can hammer the ball and play excellent defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abby McNeal,</strong> 5'10”, OH, Andale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On this squad, McNeal is going to go-to power hitter off the bench. I was impressed with her play in the Class 4A State Tournament, as I was with the entire Andale championship team. She plays with a mean streak and hits the ball with authority. She is also an excellent blocker; my last two hitters on this team are solid defenders as well, so I would probably utilize McNeal as a front-row only option on this All-Star squad.&nbsp; She is among by top three “toughest” athletes statewide. Playing her next to Cook at times would probably be my best blocking combo on this club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570416' first='Autumn' last='Popp']</strong>, 5'10”, S, Maize South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Popp will serve as S1 for this squad. Right now, her game is just one click quicker than my other two setters and I will give her a slight edge in facing tougher opponents since the other two setters are from small schools. I love the way she runs and offense. With this loaded roster of hitters, she has the skills and IQ to keep all of them involved in a match. She is extremely smart and fits the definition of a floor general. She is verbally committed to Wichita State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828492' first='Nora' last='Burdiek']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Rossville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rossville's Burdiek is a beast. I had a prep head coach, whose opinion I highly value, who shared with me that she was one of the best players his team faced all season. She is a six-rotation athlete who can take over a match as a hitter or keep her team in a match with her defensive prowess. She has an excellent season for the Bulldogs and is a player I would expect to take a leadership role among this group. She is another member of this team with state tournament experience, as Rossville finished its season in the Class 2A Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Holton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is going to serve as my team captain after an appearance and second-place finish in the Class 3A State Tournament. I have watched Wilson's game evolve and grow over the past two seasons. She had more of an impact last season as a hitter, but improved her defensive game this season to help the Wildcats become a better team in the long run. She is one of the top-ranked uncommitted athletes in the Class of 2027. &nbsp;I have to constantly remind myself, since I have been watching her so often, that I think she is a senior at times. Having her, Burdiek, and Lipker all on the same roster would open the door for me to play all kinds of match-up games as coach!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please see below a list of 33 athletes on my honorable mention list. I do want to give a little extra love to three players, who would be the next three up if the roster expanded to 12 or if I needed fill-ins for injured players. They were three tough cuts!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='446320' first='Madeline' last='Etler'], [player_tooltip player_id='446317' first='Clara' last='Morgan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='605213' first='Mallory' last='Tanking'], it was my honor to watch you play this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Honorable Mention</em><strong>:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830079' first='Avery' last='Barnett']</strong>, Riverton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885605' first='Sami' last='Baum']</strong>, Shawnee Heights; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800315' first='Brooke' last='Beashore']</strong>, St. James Academy; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807871' first='Bailey' last='Busch']</strong>, Manhattan; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809843' first='Reagan' last='Cheney']</strong>, Beloit; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828131' first='Addison' last='Davee']</strong>, Maize South; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480404' first='Lauren' last='DeGroot'], </strong>Bishop Carroll; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483890' first='Lily' last='Edwards']</strong>, Clay Center; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446320' first='Madeline' last='Etler']</strong>, St. James Academy; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='899914' first='Kylee' last='Frazee']</strong>, Rock Creek; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829076' first='Alana' last='Green']</strong>, Wellsville;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='883035' first='Grace' last='Hammes']</strong>, Nemaha Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446331' first='Ali' last='Jo Henry']</strong>, Nemaha Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885607' first='Brooklyn' last='Hummer']</strong>, Shawnee Heights; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814323' first='Jazlene' last='Kirk']</strong>, Wellsville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553079' first='Rebekah' last='Lassey']</strong>, Holton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445177' first='Abigail' last='May']</strong>, St. James Academy; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558338' first='Kinzley' last='Meinig']</strong>, Paola; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446317' first='Clara' last='Morgan']</strong>, Shawnee Heights;  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='580722' first='Kendyll' last='Nash']</strong>, Maize South; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524703' first='Addy' last='Pladson']</strong>, Clay Center; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807843' first='Ambree' last='Portelli']</strong>, Rock Creek; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884830' first='Lola' last='Rock']</strong>, Abilene; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885608' first='Everett' last='Ruliffson']</strong>, Manhattan; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808102' first='Sofia' last='Simic']</strong>, Hoisington; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827935' first='Taylor' last='Steele']</strong>, Olathe South; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834998' first='Liv' last='Stevens']</strong>, Bishop Miege; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='841883' first='Ava' last='Stoughton']</strong>, Maize South; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605213' first='Mallory' last='Tanking']</strong>, Hayden; <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='885609' first='Keeli' last='Tepe']</strong>, Manhattan; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884829' first='Annie' last='Waite']</strong>, Abilene; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809394' first='Jaylie' last='Whitehead']</strong>, Silver Lake;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='807119' first='Reagan' last='Winter']</strong>, Andale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->