Western Kansas Showdown In Salina

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two quality teams made up of players from Western Kansas schools clashed in the Coyote Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Western Kansas Elite 16-1 knocked off the Southern Plains Thunder 16-1 in a tight 25-22, 25-21 match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second scouting report from the Coyote Classic hosted by Kansas Wesleyan University on February 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='785562' first='Makiah' last='Kliesen'], 6'0”, MH, Spearville, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kliesen will be a player for Western Kansas coaches to keep track of over the next two seasons. She had seven kills and two blocks. She is a physical player who plays in a winning program. Spearville qualified for the Class 1A-DI State tournament in 2022. Kliesen will need a big season for the Lancers to continue their success at the state level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taegin Liggett, 5'4”, DS, Ness City, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ness City went 20-14 in 2022 and two of the Eagle players had solid matches in Salina. Liggett has solid passing skills and played well for the Southern Plains Thunder. She had six serve receptions and five digs. She projects as a defensive specialist or libero at the Community College level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashlyn Tillitson, 5'8”, OH, Ness City.‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tillitson is athletic and has an infectious attitude on the court that settles her team in high-stress moments. She had three digs, three serve receptions, and one kill. She has a big upside and her development will be interesting to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dani Shubert, 5'10” MH, Trego, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shubert is an all-around talented player who could be a six-rotation player at the next level. She had seven digs, two serve receptions, and one kill. During her sophomore season, Shubert collected 253 serve receptions and 133 kills for the Golden Eagles. She can play whatever position her team needs her to be in and could evolve into a more offensive-minded player in the next two high school seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Dix, 5'9”, OH, Stockton, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dix had six kills and four digs for the Western Kansas Elite squad. She plays with composure and does not seem to stress during intense situations during a match. She can jump and has a solid reach. Another inch or two of growth would not hurt her chances for college recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->