Kansas Stars to Watch from 2025's Tourney Contenders (Pt. 1)

As the anticipation builds for a new fall season, we're diving deeper into last year's powerhouse squads. Kansas frontrunners have some unfinished business.   In case you missed our most recent postseason feature, our Kansas spotlight landed on last year's group of seven state champions. We were bound to find some returning talent from this crew, but the state's must-see athletes occupy every corner of the Kansas landscape. So, let's branch out.   We're going from the defending champs to the 2025 semifinalists. Kansas' state tournament features a unique pool format that seeds into a final group of four, and several powerhouse teams emerged from this gauntlet. Of course, those squads will boast some battle-tested athletes ready to make another run at the big prize.   Let's catch up with a few of them.    We're starting with the seniors. Edwards anchored a podium run for Clay Center in Class 4A last fall, and she fits the mold of a prototypical 'L2.' She's agile, has a wide shot range on the left side, and plays relentless floor defense across the end line. That impact showed in the box score with a 0.312 hitting clip and an impressive 3.7 digs per set. Edwards will bolster her resume as a double-double machine while giving veteran leadership in the Clay Center huddle.     Here's a familiar name in the 2027 stable. Kramer made a recent impression at our Prep Dig Missouri/Kansas Stock Up Showcase, continuing her long stretch of impactful circuit performances. We shouldn't be surprised to see Kramer making big defensive plays after aiding Jefferson County North's 42-7 effort in Class 2A last year. This rising senior can lock down any zone and has flourished as a secondary setter in out-of-system situations. It's the kind of senior you want leading the ball control phase.     Ingalls has some big shoes to fill after the graduation of do-everything outside hitter Olivia Stein, but Schmeeckle can help keep the Bulldogs' offense humming. "Do-everything" is an apt way to describe Schmeeckle's game, too. She's a terminal attacker in the front row and is particularly effective on quick sets in the middle. However, this rising senior also morphs into a signal-calling setter in the back row and led Ingalls with over 600 assists last year. As if that wasn't enough, Schmeeckle is also her team's most lethal server and should carry that role again this fall.     Lynnes has found the spotlight no matter which team she represents. Her recent club tenure with Dynasty 16 Black gave this dynamic defender some valuable experience against the nation's top terminators. That experience came with high-level success, as Lynnes and 16 Black earned their status as an Open frontrunner. Before that, Mill Valley leaned on their underclassman DS en route to a third-place finish in a stacked Class 6A. Expect even more production as Lynnes' momentum builds.     Dynasty gets another mention here with one of its most versatile athletes in the Class of 2028. Andrews' recent club reps brought her physicality to the forefront. She soared at Dynasty 16 Blue's left-side hitter spot and wielded a quick platform in the middle-back area. You might think Lansing High School would immediately pounce on this terminal threat, but Andrews has shown another side of her game through the prep stage. She immediately seized the Lions' starting setter role as a freshman and has averaged over nine assists per set in the past two seasons. Andrews will be eager to guide Lansing to another semifinal berth.     We now visit with last year's Class 1A D1 bronze medalists from Montezuma. South Gray brings several notable names back into the fray this fall, and Hixon is poised to lead among that group. This long, athletic middle blocker finished second in South Gray's hitting efficiency as a sophomore, and it's easy to see why she's so effective. She can absolutely bounce balls in front of the setter, but Hixon is also a leading M1 with her ability to score on the right antenna. Her role as a middle-pin hybrid will remain in the spotlight as the Rebels uphold their contender status.     The Simic name will be all over Hoisington stat sheets for a while. The Class of 2029 iteration has proven her worth at various positions in the Cardinals' lineup. Her imposing size makes her an ideal choice for the middle blocker spot, but Simic has been willing to move around and maximize her all-around influence. She took several clutch swings on the pin and played some of her best volleyball during the midseason grind. Simic's freshman season laid the foundation for further development in Year 2.

As the anticipation builds for a new fall season, we're diving deeper into last year's powerhouse squads. Kansas frontrunners have some unfinished business.