Kansas 6A Preview and Predictions

<p>This will be a state tournament for the ages. I so want to be in the building but duty calls. An undefeated team. A one-loss team. A two-loss team. The reigning state champion. Some of the top young talent in the state. It’s going to be crazy! Let’s take a look at the teams and somehow time to predict a winner. </p> <p>Top seed and undefeated <strong>Washburn-Rural</strong> enters 38-0. They have only gone three sets twice this year both early in the season in two of the first three matches. In fact, their opening win was over Liberty North who won state with a perfect record a season ago, and they will try to match that feat. We know all about junior [player_tooltip player_id="120008" first="Brooklyn" last="DeLeye"], the dynamic pin who will take her talents to Kentucky in a couple of years. The supporting cast has been the main reason why this team has found great success. [player_tooltip player_id="120044" first="Taylor" last="Russell"] has been strong from the middle. [player_tooltip player_id="201027" first="Jada" last="Ingram"] has had a big impact in her second season. [player_tooltip player_id="119699" first="Zoe" last="Canfield"] was a setter we knew would be impactful but senior [player_tooltip player_id="105652" first="Katelynn" last="Brogan"] has made them a dynamic duo. They had zero problems getting through the substate. </p> <p>Out of Wichita. <strong>Northwest High School</strong> (39-1) is your number two seed. The one blemish on their record? Washburn-Rural. They rolled through their substate action with little fight and will be on the opposite side of pool play with Washburn as they hope to seek revenge. In our substate preview, we mentioned stats have not been made available however still look for the Stucky’s, senior Caiya, and sophomore Camdyn to make an impact. They will have a difficult pool to navigate, which includes the third seed.</p> <p>Speaking of third seed, <strong>Blue Valley North</strong> (35-2) had a tremendous year after going 15-13 a season ago. Their two defeats came against teams in the 5A state tournament. One of the keys to the turnaround was the arrival of freshman [player_tooltip player_id="154041" first="Logan" last="Parks"]. She leads the team in kills (274) and second in assists (317) playing in a 6-2. Four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id="105633" first="Jasmine" last="Dulan"] has been the leader the young squad needed and she adds 205 kills of her own. [player_tooltip player_id="120030" first="Nora" last="Carlsen"] leads the defensive efforts with 248 digs. </p> <p>Fourth seed <strong>Hutchinson</strong> (33-5) enters the state tournament making quick work of Wichita Heights and Wichita North. The Salthawks have a five-game winning steak. We talked about the play of the law firm of Johnson and Thompson last week. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="122207" first="Maliyah" last="Johnson"] has been a force on the pin with 302 kills. Classmate Mya Thompson has delivered 216 of her own. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="123110" first="Kaitlin" last="Yoder"] has been efficient with her hands, dishing over 700 assists on the season. </p> <p><strong>Shawnee Mission Northwest</strong> (31-8) will be your fifth seed in the 2021 championship. They didn’t surrender more than 15 points in both substate matches. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="152169" first="Vix" last="Vilott"] and Elinor Engel have had busy arms this fall, both totaling over 300 kills. One of the top defenders in the state, [player_tooltip player_id="123105" first="Vivian" last="Kieffer"] has 503 digs on the year. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="120038" first="Tori" last="Creason"] has had a breakout junior season with 950 assists after 400 a year ago. </p> <p>Your returning state champions, <strong>Blue Valley West</strong> (28-9) are the sixth seed. They knocked out one of their local rivals, Blue Valley in the substate championship match. [player_tooltip player_id="120071" first="Taylor" last="Stockman"] dropped 12 kills to help bring home the title. In the year, Stockman has 269 kills which are second to fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="120079" first="Brooke" last="Leiker"]’s 362. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="123099" first="Morgan" last="Colangelo"] sits just under 400 digs. One of the highlights of the year has been the emergence of freshman Lily Wedman from the setting position. </p> <p>Seventh seed <strong>Lawrence Free State</strong> (24-9) is one of those lower seeds that could cause chaos in pool play. They have scrapped it out with a few of the teams in this tournament. They hold a win over Shawnee Mission Northwest but setbacks to Washburn Rural, Wichita Northwest, and Blue Valley West. They held home court to sweep their substate matches. [player_tooltip player_id="120010" first="Sawyer" last="Thomsen"] is one of the players. you can’t miss on the court with her length and playmaking ability. [player_tooltip player_id="120009" first="Aubrey" last="Duncan"] has been strong and leads the team with 193 kills. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id="120033" first="Rylee" last="Unruh"] is averaging around 8 assists per set. </p> <p>Rounding out the seeds is probably one of the strongest 8 seeds in history. We know this is a dangerous team and which team shows up will determine how dangerous they are. After the success a year ago, we have to remind ourselves this team is so young! <strong>Olathe Northwest</strong> (24-11) has played a tough schedule, evidenced by their 11 losses but don’t be surprised if they find a way into the final four. Sophomore sensations [player_tooltip player_id="119707" first="Skyler" last="Pierce"] and [player_tooltip player_id="119724" first="Jillian" last="Huckabey"] will try to lead the team to the promised land. Pierce (211) and Huckabey (150) will rely on the great passing of [player_tooltip player_id="119703" first="Emmy" last="Sher"] and Emily Slighton to allow sophomore setter Addisen Horn to put them in a position to score often. </p> <p><em><strong>Predictions</strong></em></p> <p>Pool 1: Washburn Rural, Hutchinson, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Olathe Northwest</p> <p>Pool 2: Wichita Northwest, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley West, Lawrence Free State</p> <p>Washburn Rural and Olathe Northwest</p> <p>Wichita Northwest and Blue Valley North</p> <p>Washburn Rural over Wichita Northwest</p> <p>Blue Valley North over Olathe Northwest</p> <p><strong>State Champion: Washburn Rural</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>