Rankings Update: Kansas 2029 Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Kansas published new rankings for the Kansas Class of 2029 this morning. Those rankings now include a total of 230 athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the Top Ten-ranked athletes, which includes three making their debuts in the Prep Dig Kansas rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for a report today featuring the athletes ranked No. 11-20, and more reports on the Kansas Class of 2029 rankings over the remainder of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747422"],"_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-696a83b8241e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kapaun's Livermore hangs on to the top spot in the Class of 2029 rankings. She has been ranked No. 1 since I first saw her play club ball in early 2025. She had a solid start to her high school career, posting 298 kills, 217 assists, and 194 digs as a freshman. She played 92 sets for the Class 5A State Tournament Qualifying team. She also recorded 28 blocks and 20 aces for the Crusaders. Her versatility to play either hitter or setter is what gives her a slight advantage over the athletes ranked No. 2 and No. 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728439"],"_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-696a83b82428a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ranked No. 2 overall is Jefferson West's Deeter. She benefits from playing early at a smaller school and playing for a winning program. She tallied 252 kills for the Tigers as a freshman and 52 blocks. She also recorded 100 digs and 109 serve receptions. She has a smooth approach and crunch balls. She has the size to be utilized in the middle and the quickness to hit from the outside. It will be interesting to see how she evolves as a player with Jeff West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913297"],"_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-696a83b8242fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hiltgen is the Stat Monster wildcard in this group. She registered 400 assists, 311 kills, and 270 digs. That's just 30 digs short of having a 300/300/300 season. She is playing on a 16U club team, which does not hurt her resume at all. The "wildcard" aspect of her ranking is that I have yet to see her play in person. The coaching staff at Linn deserves a shoutout for posting their stats on MaxPreps, and Hiltgen deserves credit for having a complete Player Profile. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750130"],"_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-696a83b82435c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson has the size and the skills to be a college athlete. She is well-coached and will have ample chances to play for a winning program. During her freshman season, she recorded 177 kills and 61 blocks in 83 sets played for the Trojans. Her future ranking will depend on whether she evolves into a premium blocker at the net and how her defensive game on the back row progresses. Thompson is now ranked No. 4 overall after previously being ranked No. 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728440"],"_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-696a83b8243ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The No. 5-ranked Perine represents the highest stock-riser in these rankings. She parlayed a steady and productive freshman season into a rise to the No. 5 slot after previously being ranked No. 48 overall. She unofficially led all Kansas freshmen with 982 assists for the Bulldogs. She is as quick as a startled deer and commands an offense like she is a sixth-year college setter. She helped lead the Bulldogs to the Class 2A State Tournament and has the athletic and leadership skills to make a run at a four-year state tournament streak. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780519"],"_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-696a83b82441b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anytime a freshman steps into a starting role at a KC Metro School, someone will take notice. McGuire fits that profile as she dished out 807 assists for the Lancers during her freshman campaign. She also posted an impressive number of kills and digs for a setter with 125 and 229, respectively. McGuire is ranked No. 6 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782452"],"_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-696a83b824470"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Kansas City area freshman ranked in the Top Ten is Blue Valley Northwest's Elliott. She is a tall and long setter, so it will be interesting to see if she stays in that position or maybe she grows into an attacker. She finished with 476 assists in 65 sets played for the Ravens. She also tallied 150 digs and 56 kills. She is ranked No. 7 overall and is the third-ranked setter in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901871"],"_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-696a83b8244c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campbell joins her teammate Elliott and debuts in the rankings at No. 8 overall. She had a much more limited role at Northwest this past fall, but raised eyebrows with her performance at a Prep Dig showcase in December. She recorded 41 kills and 4 blocks in 53 varsity sets last fall. I was impressed with her physicality and jumping skills at the aforementioned showcase. She will be a player I make a special effort to see play next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750129"],"_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-696a83b824514"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beloit's Channel parlayed a chance to play as a freshman and a strong showing at a Prep Dig Showcase into a rise up the rankings. She was previously ranked No. 40 overall and is now ranked No. 9. She shared setting duties with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='785346' first='Colbi' last='Stroede'] last fall. Her freshman stat line included 288 assists, 141 kills, and 110 digs. She plays with confidence, and her play was a highlight at the December Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["742594"],"_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-696a83b824562"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the Top Ten is an athlete debuting in the rankings from Newton. The Railroader freshman had an impact season last fall, producing 181 kills, 211 digs, 119 assists, and 228 serve receptions. If a stat line like that is not rankings-worthy, then I sure would like to see one that is! I have not seen her play in person, but I like the aggressiveness I saw her play with in her video highlights. I also understand she wants to study sports medicine. Welcome to Prep Dig Nation, Daisy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->