Uncommitted Kansas 2028s Poised for Upperclassman Gains (Pt. 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not go for the trifecta?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/uncommitted-kansas-2028s-poised-for-upperclassman-gains-pt-1/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/uncommitted-kansas-2028s-poised-for-upperclassman-gains-pt-1/">Part 1</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/uncommitted-kansas-2028s-poised-for-upperclassman-gains-pt-2/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/uncommitted-kansas-2028s-poised-for-upperclassman-gains-pt-2/">Part 2</a> of this feature series have us raring for the start of the high school season. This will be my first full fall stint on the Prep Dig Kansas beat, and I'm eager to use every week as a learning experience. The Sunflower State, like my native Nebraska scene, has a lot to see when the prep campaign revs up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And that includes the newest group of upperclassman standouts. The Class of 2028 is ready to take the mantle, and Kansas' prep scene will be loaded with uncommitted athletes boasting next-level potential. The recruiting cycle for this group is just beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's highlight a few more 2028s gathering momentum while making the jump to veteran status.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a778c1a61bdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We couldn't resist the chance to revisit this showcase standout. Southard's tremendous defensive instincts were a highlight of my trip to Kansas City for last month's Prep Dig Missouri/Kansas Showcase. Our evaluation of the 2028 rankings exposed us to Southard's pinpoint first contacts as she helped Shockwave 16 Black navigate the AAU Nationals gauntlet. That summer venue prepped Southard for another breakthrough on the Prep Dig Circuit, and she's ready for more with Maize South. Look for this gem to build upon last year's 150-dig effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["534823"],"_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-6a778ca4ee770"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year's club season brought our unforgettable introduction to Duson's exceptional athleticism. She was KC Power 16-1's featured opposite this year, but she attacked in far more lanes than you'd expect from a traditional right-side hitter. Duson was comfortable with shifting in front of the setter to provide floor-denting power on the '2' ball. That versatility has also panned out with Blue Valley North, where Duson tallied over two kills per set on a 0.207 clip. We wouldn't be surprised to see that average soar in Year 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["784067"],"_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-6a7797fbdb0a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Club MVP will get a couple of stars on the board for this one. We start with Underhill, a dominant middle blocker who can adjust to any tempo or location. She posted impressive numbers with Baxter Springs last fall, highlighted by over 200 kills and a team-high hitting percentage. But those numbers only reveal part of what makes Underhill so efficient. We normally don't discuss off-speed effectiveness at the middle blocker spot, but Underhill knows exactly where to place her tip shots in front of the defense. It makes her even more difficult to defend when she brings the heat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["665590"],"_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-6a7797fbdb125"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're tapping into western Kansas' rural scene for this one. Stewart helped put Tribune, KS, on the map by setting a torrid pace in several statistical categories. She amassed nearly three kills per set in the Jackrabbit frontcourt, but her role transformed once Stewart moved to the end line. We saw her distribution skills flourish en route to nearly 600 assists as a sophomore. Stewart's ever-changing niches will determine how far Greeley County can climb on Kansas' small-town circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693940"],"_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-6a7797fbdb188"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kansas has a knack for bringing setter talent to our attention. Trimble is everything you'd want from a prep setter, and her three-sport lifestyle has changed Oswego High School's year-round aspirations. Trimble gets it done on the volleyball court with quick decisions and precise, up-tempo sets to the pins. And, like many of Kansas' top 2028 signal-callers, Trimble was eager to seize starting responsiblities in her first year on the prep stage. Let's see how much Trimble can grow her list of accomplishments with the Indians, no matter the sport or venue.</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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7797fbdb1e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kansas' cast of 2028 liberos has given us a lot to sort out on the rankings front. Lundy looms large among this pack after posting nearly 500 digs in the St. Mary's-Colgan lineup last fall. That's a heap of defensive responsibilities for an underclassman, but Lundy has been entrenched in the Panthers' backcourt since she arrived as a freshman in 2024. This influence persisted as Lundy joined Club MVP's top 16s group, where she often commanded Zone 6 in the contrasting jersey. Her high standing in the 2028 hierarchy is warranted, and Lundy still has more to gain as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891905"],"_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-6a7797fbdb243"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have several under-the-radar juniors to follow in the Kansas 2028 rankings, and Meitler is one of those emerging athletes on our minds. The Sylvan-Lucas junior made steady scoring contributions with the Mustangs last fall, but her defensive work has captured our attention even more. Meitler makes precise, reliable contacts out of the back row and has piled up some serious numbers along the way. Her 4.4 digs per set were a leading average among Kansas' sophomore pin hitters last fall, so Meitler brings a lot to like before Year 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->