Kansas Liberos on Our Radar After State Tournament Breakthroughs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're venturing into the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our player spotlights continue after Kansas' thrilling conclusion to the 2026 fall season. This coverage will jump all over the map, as we've seen with our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/kansas-2029s-soaring-after-winning-state-titles/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/kansas-2029s-soaring-after-winning-state-titles/">sophomore</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/kansas-2028s-gaining-momentum-after-state-tournament/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/kansas-2028s-gaining-momentum-after-state-tournament/">junior</a> features. Today's discussion brings a single position group into focus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not the liberos? Backcourt specialists often do not get their deserved share of the credit for team success. That makes it even more important to cover these standout defenders once we reach the state tournament. This postseason venue brings out the best in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few of our picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934863"],"_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-6aea7e612ca3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garden City may have been the geographical outlier in last week's Class 6A field, but long road trips weren't the only thing that set the Buffaloes apart. This squad was also anchored by some exceptional ball control, even against the high-flying offenses we saw at BluHawk. Doll was never afraid to step into the crosscourt and dig some heat. The junior defender also doesn't need to put up massive numbers to have a positive influence. Doll's pinpoint passing and secondary setting helped elevate Garden City to a pool win over Washburn Rural, ending the season on a positive note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["577799"],"_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-6aea7e612cab2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blue Valley Southwest was our aforementioned Cinderella team in Class 5A. The Timberwolves earned a quarterfinal berth through sweeps over De Soto and Shawnee Heights, allowing Fisher to prove herself against the state's elite. She capitalized with a few more head-turning performances, including a 12-dig output in a win over Great Bend. That match showcased Fisher's comfort in the left-back area and her willingness to step in and cover her hitters. Add a few more entries to her highlight tape in the BluHawk venue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518978"],"_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-6aea7e612cb07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We might as well include a state champ here. Bishop Miege made waves with its climb to the Class 4A mountaintop as the No. 7 seed. Morrison embodied the gritty, tireless effort required to achieve such a feat. Her value in the backcourt was best shown through Bishop Miege's three-set marathon wins against Paola and Andale. This was also a reminder of the poised, steady platform we saw when Morrison represented KC Power 16-1 over the winter and spring. Expect a few more club accolades after Morrison's prep breakthrough with the Stags.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060139"],"_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-6aea7e612cb59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We ought to add Carson to our 2028 database after her enormous jump this fall. She had earned some varsity experience as an underclassman, but we were not prepared for this libero's massive uptick as a junior. Carson logged four digs per set this year and lifted Hesston to the Class 3A podium in Hutchinson. Her strength shines most on film, which reveals so many digs right on top of the setter's head. Transition efficiency is often the deciding factor in postseason matches, and Hesston's transition game started with Carson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693948"],"_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-6aea7e612cba9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How could we not go with Lundy in the Class 2A field? She boasts some of the best defensive numbers of any Kansas defender, regardless of class. Her six digs per set kept St. Mary's-Colgan in grueling contests while also boosting their offensive production. She saved some of her best performances for last, including a 23-dig performance in the sub-state clincher over Humboldt. The Panthers used a rare "setter-up" defensive pattern that allowed Lundy to patrol as much of the court as possible. Returns were exceptional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060149"],"_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-6aea7e612cc06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We were bound to talk about this sophomore defender eventually. South Gray has seen plenty of the Class 1A-DI spotlight lately, allowing Klaker to test her mettle in high-pressure situations. She responded with over three digs per set and a key role in the serve-receive pattern. Klaker was routinely placed as a Zone 6 defender and was particularly good at stepping in to cover tips and rolls. The center of the court was covered with Klaker on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->