Emerging Kansas 2028s in Title Contention This Fall (Pt. 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's make it a trilogy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're gathering some momentum for Kansas' postseason sprint. We've rolled through regional quads for four of the state's classes, and Saturday will bring us a flurry of activity in the sub-state round. Each step of the journey will give us invaluable insight into Kansas' top performers, especially among the state's steely veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's where the Class of 2028 looms large. Parts <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/emerging-kansas-2028s-in-title-contention-this-fall-pt-1/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/emerging-kansas-2028s-in-title-contention-this-fall-pt-1/">1</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/emerging-kansas-2028s-in-title-contention-this-fall-pt-2/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/emerging-kansas-2028s-in-title-contention-this-fall-pt-2/">2</a> of this feature series have highlighted a host of outstanding juniors hoping to thrust their teams into next week's championship spotlight. We've explored every rung of the ladder, from Class 6A to 1A-DII.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're doing it one more time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840668"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad941d7c169b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've hopped around the Olathe area a lot lately, so we might as well lead off with Olathe North on the Class 6A scene. Shearer is building upon a productive club campaign with KC Power, leading to further progress on the prep side. This physical lefty is ready-made for the opposite position, but her influence with the Eagles is often away from the right antenna. Shearer is a rare case of a lefty who can do serious damage in the middle, adding to her recruiting intrigue in the Class of 2028. Look for her name in our next rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["530009"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad941d7c1708"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maize South gets our nod in Class 5A, and this is a good time to check on one of the team's many ball control gems. Southard dazzled us at this summer's Prep Dig Showcase event in Kansas City, where her defensive range was effective in any zone along the end line. She brings the same influence to the Maize South lineup, adapting to various DS roles for the Mavericks. The 5A postseason stretch will be a gauntlet, but Southard has seen plenty of physical teams throughout her career with Maize South and Shockwave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776457"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9499d79aee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another athlete whose stock has exploded since the start of this year's club season. Stanchfield's KC Ignite highlight film was stacked with floor-denting kills as she became the team's go-to in in-system situations. Her knack for drifting into the gap and carving around the block became a hallmark of her spring success. That has carried into Year 3 with Paola, where Stanchfield has racked up nearly two kills per set en route to one of the best winning percentages in the Class 4A field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567485"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9499d79b5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Are we really surprised to see Black near the top of Class 3A's kill leaderboard? This terminal outside hitter soared while playing up an age group with Club North this spring. Black is the kind of left-side attacker who can find high hands in a scenario, but she'll also snap through the low seam when given the chance. That range has equated to over 300 total kills as her 33-9 Holton squad pivots toward sub-state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054477"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9499d79bb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's get this name in our 2028 database as soon as possible. We've covered our share of terminal attackers from the Class 2A ranks, but the conversation is not complete without Cravens. She has more than doubled her scoring output from a year ago, compiling over 400 kills--nearly five per set--on a solid 0.214 clip. Classical has marched to a 29-10 record behind Cravens' effortless athleticism and quick burst off the floor. She'll draw some eyes in sub-state play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523957"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9499d79bfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">High-volume are running the show in this feature. Brockman was already an exceptional contributor to Randolph-Blue Valley's offense, racking up about 500 kills in her underclassman tenure. However, this versatile hitter has accelerated that output as a junior, putting down a career-best 4.2 kills per set. The Rams have found unique ways to harness Brockman's talents, often running her inside the left antenna as a pin-middle hybrid. That uniqueness makes her even more compelling among her 2028 peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054478"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9499d79c46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We will never run out of chances to bring new athletes into our database. Meyn's emergence with Hanover was a big surprise, and now the Wildcats are a Class 1A-DII frontrunner with this junior running the show. She has averaged over nine assists per set to rank among the top setters in the class, making a huge impression in her first year as a full-time starter. Small-town gems will remain a major focus in our next rankings overhaul.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->