Rankings Release: Five Underrated In Top 50

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Dig Kansas 2028 rankings were released earlier today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second report following the release of the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first report featured five athletes who found themselves ranked higher than before. In case you missed that report, use the link below to read it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/01/rankings-update-2028-stock-risers/">2028 Top Stock Risers</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report features five athletes ranked in the Top 50 who could each make the argument that they are underrated and undercovered. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well, I will make that argument for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["709741"],"_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-695ad80a45476"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">George is ranked No. 26 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. The Buffaloes' setter dished out 807 assists during her sophomore season. I did not get a chance to watch George or Garden City play in 2025, which is why she could be underrated. She is the sixth-highest-ranked setter in her class and finished among the Top 10 unofficial leaders in assists last season. A couple of setters ranked higher than her are taller, reached 1,000 assists last season, or I just saw them compete more often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570438"],"_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-695ad80a454e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wichman is ranked No. 28 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She has three Hayden teammates ranked higher than her in the 2027 and 2028 classes. Hayden finished second in the Class 4A State Tournament last season. So she is a proven winner, but at times, there were not enough attacking opportunities to go around for the Wildcat hitter. She finished with 206 kills last season in a supplemental attacking role. If she played at another Topeka-area school, she could be the No. 1 hitting option. I get the feeling she would rather take advantage of what she can get and keep pushing for that elusive state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["644733"],"_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-695ad80a45533"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is another underrated prospect that I missed seeing play last season. She was a stat monster for the Ravens, which is why she is ranked where she is at No. 30. Her lucky number last season was 413, as it represents the total number of kills, digs, and serve receptions she recorded as a sophomore. She dropped a couple of spots in the rankings primarily because more familiar names moved past her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529959"],"_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-695ad80a4557d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The above argument for George being ranked too low also applies to Olathe North's Kinsella. She is ranked No. 42 overall and is the ninth-ranked setter in the Kansas Class of 2028. She registered 762 assists during her sophomore campaign. This class is filled with talented setters, and until they start receiving college offers, it's a flip of the coin on where they land in the rankings. Six of the setters ranked ahead of her played on state tournament teams and are athletes I saw play during the last prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785346"],"_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-695ad80a455c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stoede posted impressive numbers during her sophomore season. She finished with 637 assists in 90 assists. Her current ranking is partially impacted by team results and uncontrollable factors. Beloit played without one of its top hitters last season due to an injury. If that missing part was in the lineup all season, add another 100 assists to Stroede's total, easy. The Trojans were also a young group that went through some growing pains despite a winning record and a deep postseason run. I saw Stroede during the second week of the season. I would have liked to have seen her play again late in the season to see how she evolved as a floor general and leader. She is ranked No. 48 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She is well-coached and has a bright future in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->