Small-Town Kansas 2028s with Big Influence this Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rural scene is stacked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I won't hide the fact that my coverage background is in the Cornhusker State. It's been my stomping grounds on the Prep Network site for over six years, and it's where I live and grew up. Hopping around the high school circuit every fall feels natural.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But this Kansas venture is a new one for me. Of course, the club campaign gives me ample opportunities to take in Kansas' top talent. The event crossover between Nebraska and Kansas teams is massive. Still, the prep scene feels like uncharted territory, even if the names are familiar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I say all of this because I wanted to reach an everlasting truth that embodies both Nebraska and Kansas prep volleyball: small-town schools are the lifeblood of fall ball. We're treated to standouts and storylines that the club season can't give us, and the pageantry of rural competition is unmatched. I talk a lot about rural gems through my Nebraska features, and I want to do the same in Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, as the high school season revs up in the Sunflower State, we're identifying a few hidden gems to keep in mind. Expect this to be the start of an ongoing discussion through the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors, this one's for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693940"],"_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-6a8e0944e9b23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're starting our trek in the far reaches of southeastern Kansas. This is a good spot to bring Trimble back into the spotlight after this rural star made the most of her trek to last month's Prep Dig Missouri/Kansas Stock Up Showcase. The rising junior setter has guided Oswego's offense since she arrived as a freshman, and smooth distribution is not her only on-court weapon. Trimble also has a wicked serve that put up eye-popping ace numbers last fall and confounded passers at our showcase. The 2028 class will have a ton of say in how far Oswego can climb in the win column.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897995"],"_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-6a8e18069883e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's go corner to corner. Weiser carried the torch for northwestern Kansas in 2025 and boasted the kind of offensive production that cannot be ignored. Her 4.2 kills per set were among Kansas' best sophomore averages, and it's easy to see why Weiser was so efficient. She had the freedom to move around the Oakley frontcourt and exploit any advantageous matchup. If you're looking for a pin hitter who can consistently tee off at the peak of their jump, Weiser is the one to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829880"],"_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-6a8e180698874"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Northeastern Kansas has its special group of under-the-radar athletes, from Marysville to Manhattan. Holle looms large in this area with her brand of pin-to-pin dominance with Riley County. She's a lethal first-ball attacker who finished just shy of 400 kills on last year's Falcon tab. Holle's effectiveness in sideout situations can be traced to her willingness to swing in any gap along the net. She's primarily an outside attacker, but she loves the '2' ball in front of the setter, giving her extra lanes to explore. Look for Holle's backcourt contributions to grow this fall, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["644737"],"_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-6a8e180698898"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our jaunt down I-135 introduces us to one of Hesston's must-see signal-callers. Reiff dished out over eight assists per set as a sophomore, building upon the starting experience she earned from her early freshman days. The win column has reflected this growth, as the Swathers boast back-to-back seasons north of 25 wins. Reiff combines her relentless hustle as a setter with plenty of defensive grit in the right-back area. It's the perfect medley of skills from your junior setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888509"],"_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-6a8e1806988b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reed is no stranger to big stages, particularly through her club reps with Lawrence Landsharks. On the high school side, Reed sets the tone for a Perry-Lecompton program that has enjoyed three consecutive winning seasons. Reed's skill as a signal-caller has kept the Kaws on the map, and her best may be looming in 2026. It's hard to top a sophomore output of almost nine assists per set, but Reed is ready to make it happen anyway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1022696,"_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-6a8e1806988db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have several new liberos to add to our Kansas 2028 database, and Scholz is one of the first in line. The Chapman junior joined a stacked leaderboard of productive sophomore liberos last fall, notching 4.3 digs per set and a wealth of perfect passes. The Irish gave Chapman some dedicated real estate in the middle-back area, where she could command as much of the court as possible. Don't miss Chapman's small-town crew on your east-west trek along I-70.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["834448"],"_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-6a8e1806988fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's only fitting we go full circle and end around where we started. King is another southeast Kansas gem that has experienced plenty of border crossover with Missouri athletes. Riverton's proximity to Joplin, Missouri, may even help bring King's vast talents to a bigger audience. However, we had to include this small-town star after the all-around prowess King displayed last fall. She averaged nearly three kills per set on the pin, but her defensive work was even more extraordinary. King essentially put up libero numbers with almost 400 digs and a big role in the serve-receive pattern. Her rise in the 2028 hierarchy may be overdue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->