Home Defense: Kansas Teams I’ll Be Following Closely at Show Me

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes on the home squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll have a lot to follow in Kansas City this weekend. The Show Me Qualifier always brings a wave of my Nebraska neighbors into the USAV qualifier spotlight, making this a can't-miss stop on my annual tour. However, I'm thrilled to tackle the challenge of leading Prep Dig Kansas coverage into the future. What a way to kick it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, perhaps I'll be bringing a bit of outside perspective to this weekend's event. I have a whole laundry list of teams and athletes to scout before I start diving into Kansas rankings. The Show Me Qualifier is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted and build the foundation. I hope you'll come along for the ride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all the preparation needed to tackle this challenge, I've started compiling a list of Show Me's must-follow teams from the Heart of America Region. Qualifiers always bring a bit of drama, but that pressure elevates when teams are looking to defend home territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a group to see at Bartle and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Manhattan Mayhem 17P</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the champs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, Manhattan Mayhem 17P and I have met before. Admittedly, I knew nothing about this crew before visiting our Prep Dig Iowa Clash in Des Moines. I learned quickly what Manhattan Mayhem was about as the Kansas visitors rolled to our tournament title in the 17s/18s division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since then, 17P has amassed a few more accolades. The most prominent of all is a 17 Liberty bid with a second-place finish at Philadelphia's Northeast Qualifier. That has precipitated Manhattan Mayhem's move up to the 17 USA division, where we'll see them compete at this weekend's qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't wait to catch up with the high-flying cast led by [player_tooltip player_id='807871' first='Bailey' last='Busch'], [player_tooltip player_id='557368' first='Grace' last='Ostmeyer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='828207' first='Drew' last='Bruna'], among many others. We'll never overlook this team again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025655770432319992?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025655770432319992?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Invasion 16-Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Movin' up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has been a season of smashing barriers for Invasion 16-Black. The team soared to the 16 Liberty title at Florida's Sunshine Classic, securing Invasion's early spot in the Indianapolis field. However, this group wasn't satisfied. Invasion nearly upgraded to a 16 USA bid after placing fifth at last weekend's Windy City Qualifier. A home event may offer a chance at retribution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='778345' first='Mia' last='Roberts'] to lead a fast, dynamic offense that leans on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='778350' first='Elaina' last='Noaese'], [player_tooltip player_id='913784' first='Kendall' last='Roscher'], and [player_tooltip player_id='842569' first='Bailey' last='Zlatanova-Hammonds'] will have our attention when 16-Black starts its Show Me journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 16-1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another reunion opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My first event stop of the 2026 club season took me to Premier Nebraska's new gym, and the event wasn't limited to in-state participants. [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 16-1 made the trek to Omaha to hone its early-season skills before the qualifier grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is undoubtedly eager for a chance to lock up an elusive 16 Open bid. [player_tooltip player_id='518345' first='Nyah' last='Harris'] has been a persistent standout at the setter spot, allowing [player_tooltip player_id='518353' first='Mya' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='729590' first='Briley' last='Zerbe'] to soar in the front row. Of course, we'll also watch for [player_tooltip player_id='517118' first='Channing' last='Minton'] to anchor the ball control unit and carry on a strong libero tradition at [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2022715300823564616?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2022715300823564616?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You know we had to get [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black enters the 15 Open fray as the top seed in Pool 3 of the division. Teams from across the country are infiltrating this division in hopes of playing spoiler, so we'll have 15 Black on our radar from the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='793164' first='Summer' last='Fogel'] at one of [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']'s pin positions. This effortless flyer stole the show at our most recent Kansas City showcase. She's accompanied by [player_tooltip player_id='910234' first='Sophia' last='Salmon'], [player_tooltip player_id='909863' first='Tessa' last='Redmond'], and a host of other effective terminators who should fit right in to the 15 Open slugfest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">MAVS 15 Elite</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're double-dipping in the 15 Open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black, MAVS 15 Elite has already secured a spot in this summer's GJNC spectacle. The team posted a runner-up finish in the 15 USA race at MEQ's St. Louis outing. That trek across the Show Me State was fruitful, but now it's time to strive for more at the Show Me Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15 Elite has all the versatility and athleticism you'd expect from a MAVS lineup. Of course, ball control is also a strength as long as [player_tooltip player_id='888983' first='Tessa' last='Stuart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='846603' first='Presley' last='Peterson'] are leading that operation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">573 15 Premier C</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one of our many learning experiences of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kansas's future stars of the Class of 2029 will be on full display at Bartle Hall. 573 15 Premier C should bring plenty of gems to the fold as the No. 1 overall seed in the 15 Liberty division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>573 is one of two clubs in this division looking to upgrade a 15 American bid. 15 Premier C wields plenty of fire[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] with [player_tooltip player_id='891692' first='Hannah' last='Lackman'], [player_tooltip player_id='887974' first='Kinley' last='Ryder'], and Karina Steinlage enjoying strong seasons on the pins. We're ready to see if this squad can back up its standing as a 15 Liberty frontrunner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->