Maize’s Linville Throws A Block Party At Andale

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andale High School hosted a Summer Tournament for seven volleyball squads on June 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig was in attendance to scout three of the early morning matches. Here is the second of two reports on athletes who had quality performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first match of the day that I scouted was a gritty contest between Maize and Louisburg. The Eagles bested the Wildcats 25-18, 25-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119706' first='Chloe' last='Linville']</strong>, 6'0”, MB, Maize, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honest to goodness, Linville had one of the best blocking matches I have ever witnessed in person. She dominated the net with seven blocks and eight kills. She has a solid net-front presence but plays pretty much front-row only. She did have three digs during a couple of long rallies. Linville is currently ranked No. 66 in the Prep Dig Kansas Class of 2024 rankings and she plays club ball with Alpha Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119696' first='Jordyn' last='Bird']</strong>, 5'8”, S, Maize, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bird was a stat monster in the win over Louisburg. She finished with 10 assists, four kills, six digs, and four serve receptions in the match. She plays six rotations and is a floor leader for the Eagles.  Bird is currently ranked No. 73 among her Class of 2024 peers according to Prep Dig Kansas. She plays club ball with KS Networks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219724' first='Lauren' last='Welch']</strong>, 5'6”, L, Maize, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch is the heartbeat of the Eagles squad and their biggest cheerleader when out of the game. It also helps her get noticed since she is the best defensive player on the squad. She was all over the court in the win against Louisburg. She ended up collecting 12 digs and seven serve receptions in the victory over Louisburg. Welch is currently ranked No. 68 in the Class of 2025 and plays club ball with the Air Capital Aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madeline Williams</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Louisburg, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really enjoyed watching Williams play for the first time. She can just about do it all on a volleyball court.  In the loss to Maize, she finished with 15 serve receptions, five digs, and three kills. She is quick, makes consistent first passes, and can play six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hailey Sword</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Louisburg, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sword is also a six-rotation player with a solid serve. She finished the match with 13 serve receptions, nine digs, and five kills. She hits the ball harder than her teammate Williams but is not quite as quick as her Wildcat teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delaney Nelson</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Louisburg, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the player with the highest ceiling for Louisburg is the sophomore, Nelson. She passes the eye test scouts talk about. She just has all the tools, an athletic frame, a sweet swing, and solid vertical. All she needs now is to gain playing experience in high school and club ball. Nelson finished with four kills, two digs, and two serve receptions in the match I scouted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->