More Kansas 2029s Poised for Sophomore Surges this Fall (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have high hopes for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our preseason high school coverage continues on the Prep Dig Kansas site. I'm incredibly eager to get into my first fall campaign as a member of the Kansas beat, and we have a lot to learn about the Sunflower State's top prep competitors. But based on what we saw this spring and in our summer showcases, Kansas' underclassmen are ready to make a splash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/more-kansas-2029s-poised-for-sophomore-surges-this-fall-pt-1/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/more-kansas-2029s-poised-for-sophomore-surges-this-fall-pt-1/">Part 1</a> started the conversation on the Class of 2029. These rising sophomores are primed for big gains in Year 2, and that could hold championship implications for Kansas' top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916414"],"_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-6a8107511c3c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derby High School has been on our radar a lot lately, especially with the Panthers stockpiling so much talent in the underclassman ranks. Rousseau added to that list after her well-rounded game flourished at last month's Prep Dig Missouri-Kansas Stock Up Showcase. She can score at the net on either antenna, but some of Rousseau's best work has been in the ball control phase. Her knack for producing high, controllable first touches helps everyone around her. It's the ideal set of skills for a showcase, and we expect Rousseau to show the same with Derby.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747427"],"_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-6a8107511c415"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're bringing another multi-pin, multi-dimensional contributor into the fold. Liggett's long, winding approach was an immediate hit at Trinity Academy as the Knights battled to a 31-7 mark. It was a senior-laden squad last year, but Liggett's youthful influence could not be ignored. Aside from her willingness to deliver clutch crosscourt swings, Liggett also contributed to Trinity Catholic's balanced, productive floor defense. She exhibited off-blocker skills beyond her years, and Liggett will take that court vision into the back row, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888439"],"_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-6a8107511c44d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stark is effectively a medley between a middle blocker and an outside hitter. She operated in the middle for last year's Osage City team, finishing with the team's third-best kill average and a host of highlight-worthy swings. Even as Stark patrolled the middle, her best swings came on the slow, high sets you'd expect to go to an outside hitter. Stark used this tempo to carve indefensible angles and see any hands in front of her. Topeka Saints added to that range this spring, putting Stark on a crash course for sophomore success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913496"],"_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-6a8107511c479"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The list of Kansas' starting freshman setters last fall is not particularly long, making Kimball's accomplishments even more impressive. This multi-sport standout took the reins at Central Heights and dished out over 350 assists for the Vikings. Her impact was not limited to second contacts, however. Kimball also collected a whopping 64 aces from the line, leading the team in that category by a wide margin. Kansas' rural scene will always give us names to follow, and Kimball has carried the banner well for her Richmond school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914309"],"_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-6a8107511c49c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps this is a "utility" entry for this feature. Reeves was an effective pin attacker for Pike Valley last fall, but we're particularly drawn to Reeves's first contacts in the back row. She piled up 4.2 digs per set and pinpointed many of those touches right on the setter's head. This mantra of "bettering the ball" also applied to Reeves' solid block touches and secondary sets in out-of-system situations. It's a full toolbox.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895689"],"_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-6a8107511c4bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile outside hitters are running the show in this feature. Beymer is a tremendous three-sport athlete who has brought that adaptability to the volleyball court with Lakin. She notched nearly 200 total kills with the Broncs and piled on with four digs per set for good measure. Her highlight tape reveals how well Beymer can drive her approach inside and quickly turn the ball down the line. She negates blocks in ways you wouldn't expect from an underclassman, and Lakin will leverage that maturity again this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1019337,"_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-6a8107511c4ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is a fun one for me. Bussmann represents Marysville High in northern Kansas, but she crosses over to Nebraska ONE on the club side. So, I've already had a few in-person glimpses at Bussmann's aptitude in the back row. Those club skills also applied to the Kansas prep stage, where Bussmann tabbed 200 digs in her first season with the Bulldogs. This is a quick, agile defender who fits right in with the Kansas and Nebraska crowd. Any venue works.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->