Senior Send-Off: Kansas 2027s Set to Shine at State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the last dance, so let's make it memorable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time flies. I've been covering volleyball for Prep Network since the beginning of the decade. Many star-studded classes have come and gone on the prep stage. So, it feels like it was just yesterday that the Class of 2027 was a pack of spry freshmen eager to make a first impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we've reached the end of their collective high school journey. Kansas' seniors will be eager to go out on top at State this weekend, and we'll have no shortage of household names to track. Our in-season coverage has spent plenty of time covering underclassmen and uncommitted juniors, but we want to give a proper nod to the outgoing seniors setting the standard for everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's finish strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["483893"],"_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-6adfba7de5544"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What's stopping us from kicking off this feature in Class 1A-DII? The rural scene has delivered plenty of jaw-dropping performances this year, and McCarty has logged several of them for Cheylin High. The Bird City crew has watched McCarty surpass 1,500 career kills this year, averaging a personal-best 5.1 kills per set in her final season. As if McCarty's volleyball endeavors weren't impressive enough, she will represent Missouri State on the basketball court next winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["487452"],"_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-6adfba7de55f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another high-flying attacker who soared past the century mark in the kill column. Andale High earned the No. 2 seed in Class 4A behind McNeal's blistering pace of nearly five kills per set. That increased production culminated in a brilliant outing in Saturday's sub-state contests, propelling the Indians into this weekend's final round. Admittedly, I have my own biases as a Nebraska native who is excited to see McNeal at Nebraska-Kearney in the collegiate game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734446"],"_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-6adfba7de5679"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Okay, forgive me for bringing another Nebraska-bound Kansas senior into the mix. Like McNeal, Thimmesch has been an exceptional multi-sport athlete who plans to play basketball at the next level. This Doane (NE) commit anchors the back row for Inman, which nabbed the No. 3 seed in Class 2A. Thimmesch has racked up nearly 1,000 digs in her upperclassman years alone, making her one of Kansas' biggest stock risers in the past couple of years. A state title push would cement that legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445556"],"_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-6adfba7de56fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The joy of covering Nover-Estes has spanned far beyond the prep circuit with Lawrence Free State. She made a lasting impression at past Prep Dig Showcase events, and her excellence persisted through this year's club season with PVA 17 Elite. This Loyola Marymount commit has been among the state's top signal-callers this year, and her aggression as a second-contact attacker continues to confound opposing defenses. The Firebirds are keen on challenging some of the major heavyweights in Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749185"],"_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-6adfba7de57b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps South Gray has some unfinished business after last year's third-place finish. The Rebels are well-positioned for another podium ascent after finishing 39-1 in the Class 1A-DI race. Friesen played a big role in that effort, tallying about three-and-a-half kills per set on a team-best 0.331 hitting clip. Her physicality in the middle should be a tone-setter in Emporia this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445177"],"_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-6adfba7de5845"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll never run out of stars to spotlight in the Kansas City area. St. James Academy secured its spot in the Class 5A race after straight-set wins over Turner and Spring Hill. May remained the calm, steady force that we've seen during her career with KC Power. The future Nova Southeastern libero doesn't need to rack up big numbers to have an impact, though her five digs per set certainly help. May's rock-solid passing cemented her collegiate worthiness, and it lifted the Thunder to a postseason berth, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["525466"],"_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-6adfba7de58c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Silver Lake is back at it again. Last year's Class 3A state champion has a shot to repeat this weekend, and Hanni has been the guiding hand throughout. Her all-time numbers with the Eagles are almost unfathomable: 3,400 career assists, or a career average of over eleven. Hanni made an impression as a fearless freshman in 2023, and she has turned Silver Lake into a year-over-year powerhouse. One more tournament breakthrough would seem fitting for this record-shattering setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["699386"],"_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-6adfba7de5938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We couldn't resist the opportunity to double down on Class 3A setters. Bloom and Frontenac survived an epic three-set battle with Riverton to lock up the last spot in the final 3A pools. Clutch moments have become commonplace for Bloom, who has commanded the 5-1 for the Raiders since 2024. Southeastern Kansas has provided so many stars for our in-season coverage, and Bloom adds to the growing list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["733192"],"_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-6adfba7de59b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Miege has given us one of Class 4A's most compelling postseason storylines. The Stags were 10-28 last year but have soared to a tournament berth in 2026. Stevens has been the focal point of this year's 27-8 unit, piling up almost five kills per set on a 0.300 average. Her breathtaking explosiveness has been a big hit in the MAVS KC gym, and it's paying off en route to a Bishop Miege renaissance. We're eager to see what the final act will bring before Stevens plays D1 ball at Elon University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->