Kansas Underclassmen Already Excelling in 2026 High School Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The youth movement has already begun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been making the rounds in my Nebraska stomping grounds to start this year's fall campaign, but we always have to keep a careful eye on the Kansas crew. I was fortunate enough to cross over into the Sunflower State for club and showcase coverage, and I'm keen on keeping this connection with Kansas. We have so many storylines and angles to cover before 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underclassmen will surely write some of those headlines. We've compiled a list of standout freshmen and sophomores making an impression after the first handful of matches, and that group will only grow larger throughout the fall. Settle in and enjoy the new wave of Kansas stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750130"],"_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-6a974f127cd8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Well, this is nothing new. Thompson changed Beloit's offense from the moment she stepped into the gym as a freshman, and she could be even more dominant in Year 2. This hard-hitting attacker soared past a 0.400 hitting clip in each of the Trojans' first five matches on opening week. Thompson operates in the middle of the net but takes swings at the '2' tempo like an outside hitter. This hybrid role could make her one of Kansas' most productive 2029 attackers this fall, but that would also be par for the course.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739207"],"_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-6a974f127ce1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martin is making an early case to elevate her stock in the 2029 rankings. This Wichita terminator enjoyed a strong start with Bishop Carroll, hitting north of 0.500 in three of Bishop Carroll's first five contests. Martin's quick, explosive step-close makes her an ideal out-of-system outlet for the Golden Eagles. This agility also helps Martin go pass-to-attack in the front row, handling any responsibilities you could place on an outside hitter. It's a continuation of the late-season momentum Martin gained with her Shockwave 17 Black team. Playing against older foes has never deterred this exceptional athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752455"],"_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-6a974f127ce6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on the Fighting Frogs. Myers made major strides in her debut season with Pratt, cementing her spot as do-everything setter opposite. Now, this sophomore seems to have upgraded her distribution skills in early-season action. She churned out eight assists per set during Pratt's first four matches and was an ever-present leader in all six rotations. Aside from Myers' knack for running an offense, she also did not hesitate to pounce on overpasses and produce a strong, assertive block. Her time in the 5-1 system will be extensive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894231"],"_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-6a95face359e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't pass up the opportunity to catch up with a showcase standout. July's Missouri/Kansas Stock Up Showcase brought a compelling group of 2030 to our attention, and Baty flourished among her rising freshman peers. It's no surprise to see that she has already cracked the starting lineup with Maize, providing unique contributions around the dial. Baty is a high-flying left-side hitter in the frontcourt, but her multi-zone back-row defense has also jumped out on film. All signs are pointing up after the Eagles' 3-1 opening week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1037732,"_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-6a974f127ced2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Look out for the first-year defenders, too. Marais des Cygnes Valley will likely lean on a handful of underclassmen this fall, and Sturgeon is a perfect torchbearer for the youth movement. She has quickly donned the contrasting jersey for the Trojans, producing some eye-catching performances during MDCV's 4-2 start. Her highlight tape reveals a floor general who isn't afraid to dive into the campfire to ease defensive burdens off of nearby attackers. That confidence is rare for a first-year player, but Sturgeon should feel right at home with a young, emergent roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934721"],"_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-6a974f127cf15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have our eyes firmly fixed on this one. Scott City has already been introduced to Goode's multi-sport potential, and her prep volleyball career is off to a roaring start. She compiled a dozen kills in just two kills against Wallace County, pushing Scott City to its first win of the 2026 campaign. Like many of the elite scorers we've featured here, Goode can move around the net and exploit favorable matchups in any rotation. Expect a few more trophies and hardware in Goode's future, and that won't be limited to the volleyball circuit, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->