Rankings Update: Kansas 2029 Top Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why wait until tomorrow for what you can accomplish today?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did not think I would complete this report today, and was going to wait to release it tomorrow; however, I decided to strike while the iron is hot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is my third report tied to the new Prep Dig Kansas Class of 2029 rankings, which were published earlier today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one features the top ten-ranked defenders in that class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["846603"],"_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-696aaba107403"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Peterson is ranked No. 21 overall and is the top-ranked defensive specialist. She unofficially led all Kansas Freshmen in digs with 511 in 94 sets played. She also recorded 508 serve receptions for the Seahawks. She attended a Prep Dig Showcase in December, and I was impressed with the way she carried herself and hustled during the event. She has educated feet and makes consistent first passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790545"],"_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-696aaba10746d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitney parlayed a solid freshman season and a strong showing in December at the Prep Dig Exposure Tour. She registered 194 digs and 325 serve receptions for Free State last fall. She is a spunky libero who helps keep her team in system with her first passes. She has excellent court instincts and looks poised to be a solid defender for years to come. She is ranked No. 22 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895364"],"_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-696aaba1074be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garcia is ranked No. 23 overall in the Kansas Class of 2029 and the third-ranked defensive wizard. She arrived on the prep scene with a bang, recording 261 digs and 306 serve receptions in 94 sets played for the Trailblazers. I like her size at the libero position, and she plays with discipline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747426"],"_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-696aaba107508"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Andover Central's Holcomb is ranked No. 24 overall. She tallied 138 digs and 177 serve receptions during her freshman season. I have not seen her play in person, but I was impressed with the amount of game footage she has on her HUDL account. She has a calmness to her game and some mustard on her serve. Too often, defensive-minded athletes lack sufficient footage to determine whether they can serve effectively or not. That's not case with Holcomb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782250"],"_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-696aaba10754c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nash is ranked No. 27 overall and rounds out the Top Five liberos in these rankings. Nash is another athlete I have yet to see play in person, but she took the initiative to send me game highlights to analyze. She has quiet arms and reads hitters well. She is coachable and understands teachable and learning moments. I made some suggestions after watching her film in the past weeks and she took those suggestions to heart and made some tweaks. That's the type of "stuff" I love to mention to college coaches when they ask me for names or for my opinion on athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["737065"],"_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-696ea4be7d240"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derby's Splane is another athlete who benefited in the rankings partially due to her extensive video package on HUDL. She plays under control, and like a Gold Glove middle infielder, she plays the ball and does not let the ball play her. She is ranked No. 25 overall. The film I watched was from her club season, as she saw limited varsity time last season for Derby.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898275"],"_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-696aaba10758d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howarter is ranked No. 27 overall and benefited from attending the December Prep Dig Showcase. She made one thing clear at that event . . . she understands that knee pads are made to be replaced, as she was not afraid to use them to make a tough dig. She puts her setters in a solid starting position to run an offense. It will be interesting to see how she fits into the defending Class 6A state champion's future plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753157"],"_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-696aaba1075cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Briggs is ranked No. 28 overall and will be a key component to the future of the Seaman program. She played on a young Vikings' team last season, and at times, Briggs, like other teammates, played tentatively. Her confidence will improve with gained experience and playing time. I watched some of her film from a match against Emporia that I scouted last season. Her game had improved in the match from when I first saw her play club ball at the Keeper of the Plains tournament eight months earlier. She will be a Topeka-area prospect to keep eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750131"],"_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-696aaba10760f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You have to admire a kid whose first highlight you see is of her laying out for a dig and going top over bottom to nail her landing. Loomis is an agile defender who looks like she could pull off a"kip-up" in a WWE Ring. She saw limited varsity playing time last season for the Trojans, but did record 12 digs in 30 sets played. Beloit is a well-coached team that continues to produce college-level players, making Loomis a player to keep tabs on. She is ranked No. 29 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913966"],"_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-696aaba10764d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson is ranked No. 30 overall and will compete with Whitney at Free State for the libero jersey. She also attended the Prep Dig Showcase last December and has a quality video package online. Both Robinson and Whitney are rangy and have a little more length to their frames than you see with many liberos. No matter which one plays libero, the two of them make a formidable backrow duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->