Kansas 2029s We Need to Add to Our Watch List (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We always have room for more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, we recently <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/kansas-2029s-we-need-to-add-to-our-watch-list-pt-1/" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/kansas-2029s-we-need-to-add-to-our-watch-list-pt-1/">started the conversation</a> on our next wave of Kansas rankings updates. This will be my first iteration of the Kansas rankings after running the lists in my native Nebraska for the past few years. It will be a challenge, but this pre-Nationals summer period is a perfect time to tackle it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029s will make up the late end of our update swing, but it's never too early to look ahead. This group of emerging freshmen has dazzled us during the ongoing club season, particularly during a late gauntlet of qualifier action. That trend has yielded some necessary additions to our player database.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring a few more need-to-know names to the fold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938175"],"_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-6a00d329aaeef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're back in the [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] gym to visit with Shawnee Mission West's freshman terminator. Milo made an instant impression on the Kansas prep scene, putting down some head-turning kills for the Vikings last fall. That has set the table for her further growth with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power']'s top 15s lineup. Milo is an efficient attacker on the left side, but her influence goes far beyond her work at the net. She is a middle-back mainstay who often takes the initiative to deliver calm first contacts to her setter. Such an all-around presence is critical to the championship triumphs like the one we saw from [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] at MEQ. Expect more from Milo at USAV Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Marin Kruse","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Basehor-Linwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00d329aafba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kruse is the kind of middle blocker who will find any possible way to contribute. This was especially evident at Triple Crown NIT, where Kruse's lethal serve and backcourt defense were game-changers for [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black. Those are not skills usually discussed with middle blockers, but versatility is a hallmark of Kruse's game. The Basehor-Linwood freshman has a chance to elevate her stock further while 15 Black cements its status as a 15 Open frontrunner. Last month's Show Me Qualifier championship was another reminder of that sky-high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Piper Solofra","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McPherson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Shockwave Volleyball Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00d329ab03d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shockwave 15-Black earned a mention in Part 1, so let's bring this crew back for another entry. Solofra has been the centerpiece for 15-Black's long, rangy net presence. Not only is she physical enough to overwhelm opposing hitters, but Solofra's sound blocking technique puts her in the proper spots to generate touches. Best of all, this natural M1 can tee off on the right antenna and bring incredible intensity to her serving rotation. That's the sign of a true gem in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ava Mann","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lawrence Free State","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Lawrence Landsharks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00d329ab0b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lawrence area will be a focal point of our next rankings additions, and athletes like Mann are ready for the spotlight. Lawrence Landsharks 15 Black has looked to their featured middle blocker throughout the 2026 season, yielding an impressive highlight spring highlight tape. Mann runs the net with her vision and ability to read where opposing setters are guiding their offense. She will also punish teams with her sky-high contact point and deceptively vast range from pin to pin. Landshark volleyball is on the rise after fruitful qualifier trips to MEQ and Show Me, and Mann has taken full advantage of those opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Avery Lakin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olathe West","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"MAVS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00d329ab122"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been impressed by the 15s depth in the MAVS camp, especially with MAVS 816 15 National on a late-season climb. And, of course, the libero position often looms large for any successful MAVS lineup. Lakin carries that niche for 15 National and has a calm, steady demeanor in the team's contrasting jersey. She can quickly adjust to balls drifting outside her midline and has a knack for filling open seams as a floor defender. Lakin's leadership led to high placements at MEQ and Show Me, among many other prominent venues. The best is yet to come for Lakin with a big sophomore campaign on the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Reagan Varns","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Louisburg","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a00d329ab18e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 National made a habit of racking up top-ten finishes at qualifiers like MEQ, Windy City, Show Me, and SLC. Varns had her fingerprints all over this consistent stretch and brought infectious energy to the left-side hitter spot. This dynamic Louisburg freshman knows how to capitalize on whatever windows she's given at the net. Varns is at her best when attacking low seams, but she can also turn down the line in front of backcourt defenders. [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] has enjoyed a spectacular 2026 stretch, and the underclassmen are leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->