Small-Town Kansas 2029s with Big Influence this Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And this one's for the surging sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our rural focus continues. We're not far removed from our small-town spotlight on Kansas' Class of 2028, but this discussion covers a lot more than the junior class. We already have a group of sophomore gems expanding our scope in the Sunflower State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2029s are wasting no time in Year 2 of their prep journeys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755014"],"_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-6a904a45c92d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dynamic setter-hitters always seem to be more prevalent on the rural scene, and Cranston is one of Kansas' best in the 2029 class. If you're looking for lefty signal-caller who can bring the heat as an attacker, this is the one to know. Cranston put up an extraordinary highlight tape with her Southwest Pursuit club squad, demonstrating her ability to alter matches around the dial. She launched her prep career by putting down two kills per set on a team-best 0.241 hitting clip. Cranston will now take a massive leadership role while building upon the Longhorns' 36-5 mark from a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903569"],"_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-6a904a45c9348"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're heading south of Topeka to check in on one of Kansas' emergent rural programs. Osage City ended a long postseason drought while bringing new stars like Lieber into the spotlight. This physical athlete posted top hitting clip for the Indians and showed her willingness to tee off on any tempo. Lieber also carried a massive blocking presence with her pin-to-pin quickness and instincts. A historic season in Year 1 deserves a sophomore encore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["784353"],"_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-6a903d6b59287"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're going full circle with this one. Haines saw a share of the Prep Dig spotlight when she competed at last month's Missouri/Kansas Stock-Up Showcase. The Circle standout stood out for her ability to lock down the passing pattern while also setting the tone on the outside. She found unique ways to score in her debut prep season, often coming out of the right-back area as a six-rotation opposite. Whatever the case, Haines has the skills to boost Circle's stature and contribute to future Shockwave squads on the club side.</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-6a904a45c93c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's a no-doubter. We've mentioned that Kansas had a limited number of freshman setters on the varsity scene last fall, but Perine didn't mind defying trends. She dished out an efficient Rossville offense and led all Kansas freshmen with nearly 1,000 total assists. Those are eye-catching distribution numbers, but there's a lot more to see than numbers on a page. Perine gives opposing teams fits with her set-over dumps and has an uncanny ability to freeze opposing middle blockers. This year's agenda is simple: return to postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888434"],"_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-6a904a45c9413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck getting past Harding. The Santa Fe Trail sophomore was an absolute wall in the middle last fall, producing 1.1 blocks per set and generating quality touches for her transition defense. The Carbondale, Kansas, community was also treated to Harding's quick, snappy swings in front of the setter. She works hard to become available in transition and will never hesitate to crack down on an overpass. Last year's numbers were impressive, but we could see an uptick in Year 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913503"],"_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-6a904a45c9464"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flinthills returns several productive stars from last year's crew, and Randall certainly fits in that group. She finished second on the Mustangs' kill tally and was also an influential part of the blocking phase. But, as if that wasn't enough, Randall also demonstrated incredible progress as a defender who could anchor any zone along the end line. We could create an infinite list of positional designations for Randall, who has also carved a niche as a backcourt setter. The trend of rural setter-hitters strikes again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888435"],"_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-6a904a45c94b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our trek ends in Osborne, where McCormick's do-everything attitude has earned her early playing time. Her attacking strength resides at the opposite position, but the full extent of McCormick's range can be seen in the back row. She compiled nearly 250 digs in a key DS role and brought more passing prowess than you'd expect from a right-side hitter. Like many of the athletes featured here, McCormick and her team are building upon a winning 2025 season and are looking for more this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->