Reviewing Last Fall’s Impact Freshmen in Kansas 2029 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who's ready for a sophomore surge?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we've perused the updated version of our Kansas 2029 rankings, our focus has naturally shifted to standouts from the recently concluded club season. We've even highlighted some USAV Nationals who added to their stock-riser case just a few weeks ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But we're also speeding toward a new campaign for the Class of 2029. This group is about to tackle Year 2 of Kansas' high school circuit. We're bound to see some new names at the top of the statistical leaderboard as 2029s gain an increasing foothold at the varsity level. However, we also have a select group that got a head start from the very beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's feature examines an exclusive group of Kansas 2029s who made an early splash last fall. We've already covered some ideal candidates for this feature throughout the week, but we have more names ready for the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring them out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881259"],"_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-6a5aaa42e3c45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Look near the top of Kansas' freshman efficiency charts to find Weibel. She led Goodland in kills per set and attacking percentage, logging 2.7 kills per set on a 0.289 clip. She's the kind of middle who can take a high lob in the '2' gap and find a way to terminate. That story played on repeat in 2025.</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-6a5ab9555ca49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't miss this one. Deeter patrolled the net for Jefferson West last fall, and her numbers went above and beyond what you'd expect from a first-year middle. She amassed nearly three kills per set on a 0.250, doing it from various spots along the tape. Deeter's multi-tempo onslaught landed her a spot with the 16s this year, and MAVS KC 16 National took full advantage of her rocket arm.</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-6a5aaa42e3c9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's stick with the 16s a little longer. Hiltgen climbed the age ladder to compete with Manhattan Mayhem's top 16s group, collecting strong finishes at Windy City and Show Me. She looked like a player accustomed to sparring with older competitors, and perhaps that can be attributed to her freshman debut at Linn. She paced the Bulldogs with over 300 kills while shouldering a part-time role as a backcourt setter. It's a lot for any player to handle, let alone a freshman.</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-6a5ab9555ca8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KC Power 15-2's leaders keep showing up in this week's spotlights. Taking the reins of an offense is rare for any freshman, but Elliott made uncommon strides during her debut season with Blue Valley Northwest. Her 7.3 assists per set guided the Huskies through a grueling schedule, leaving Elliott battle-tested for 2026. She applied that experience to KC Power's GJNC trek, and she's back for more prep highlights as a sophomore.</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-6a5ab9555caac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perine had one of Kansas' most eye-catching assist totals in 2025, and that's not just among freshmen. She nearly reached 1,000 total helpers in her first season, making her a surefire candidate for our initial Top 10 in the rankings. Perine has backed that up with more quality spring reps with KNVBC 15-2 Crossfire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753564"],"_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-6a5ab9555cacb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rohr's multi-sport influence at Hill City is already growing at a head-spinning pace. Her volleyball journey is off to a great start, as she collected a whopping six digs per set to stand above all Kansas freshmen in that category. Even with such a staggering number, we also can't forget that Rohr powered the Hill City offense with almost three kills per set on the outside. Gems have already emerged in Kansas' rural scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913495"],"_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-6a5ab9555cae8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoelscher allows us to address a statistical category we don't discuss enough on the Prep Dig beat. She made plenty of "conventional" contributions to the Newton operation, churning out triple-digit kills and 4.2 assists per set as a dynamic setter-hitter. It might be easy to find satisfaction in being a double-double machine, but Hoelscher took it a step further. She racked up an astonishing 142 aces during last year's campaign, averaging 1.5 per set while confounding opposing backcourts. This exceptional mark has Hoelscher on our radar in more ways than one this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["536057"],"_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-6a5ab9555cb05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Outside hitters don't need to light up the kill column to have a massive impact. Granted, Allen flashed plenty of progress during her trips across the Olathe West frontcourt. But her biggest statistical contribution came in the back row, where Allen averaged three digs per set and had a steady presence in the passing pattern. Her role is due to expand in Year 2 after thriving in the Open gauntlet with KC Power 15-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->