Scouting Practice: Ark City Athletes Prepare For Season Opener

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One advantage to scouting volleyball is that practice is held inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In search of salvation from the 104-degree weather I sought cooler air in the Arkansas City High School gym to scout a handful of Bulldog prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on a very young and athletic group of prospects and a group that for the most part has extensive club experience already. They have just two more practices before they open the season at Wichita North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219722' first='Kinzie' last='Perdue'] </strong>, 5'11”, OH, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perdue will be the leader of this club and perhaps has the highest ceiling. She was very focused during practice and any observer could tell that she was there to improve her and her teammates' skills. She has a solid serve, can jump, and wants to play college volleyball. She plays club ball with the Air Capital Aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sally Johnson-Henderson</strong>, 5'7”, OH, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a two-sport prospect who will need to dedicate herself to one sport or the other if she wants serious college offers. She is a hustle player with a huge wing span.&nbsp; She sacrifices her body to make digs and she has the ability to make blocks at the net. She plays point guard for the basketball team at ACHS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakyn Hale</strong>, 5'9”, 25, MH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really enjoyed watching Hale. She is arguably Ark City's tallest player on the team and she is long and physical. She is quick for her size and is not afraid to use her knee pads. She is an athlete who could be very dangerous at the net when she puts all the pieces together. Hale competes for [program_tooltip program_id='432164' first='Fight' last='Club'] during the club season. That's a club that has helped several middle hitters improve over the years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489668' first='Meka' last='Jennings']</strong>, 5'3”, S/L, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have multiple sophomore athletes who should see extensive varsity time. Jennings is a spit-fire setter who can push the ball to all hitting spots. She is not very tall so at the college level I could see a possible switch to Libero. She is very athletic and coachable. I'd like to see her work on improving her upper body strength over the next three years. Jennings plays club ball with One Volleyball Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mylee Giles</strong>, 5'8”, MH, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massey just looks and moves like a volleyball player. She is lean and I would like to see her play with a little more meanness. She can hit, dig, and set. She could be a six-rotation player in the making. If she grows a couple more inches and bulks up, she could be a dominant middle.&nbsp; She plays with confidence and reacts well on the court. She will be playing club ball with Cowley Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lynlee Massey</strong>, 5'8”, OH/MH, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I usually don't offer this advice to many volleyball players, but Massey could be a DII talent if she improves her lower body strength. Usually, it's upper body improvement that I advise high school players to improve. Massey has a solid swing, and she has a big reach. If she improves her vertical jump just an inch or two it would make a big difference in her game. She plays with high energy and listens to coaching advice well. Massey also plays club ball with Cowley Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->