Winning Athletes, Winning Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2025 Kansas ranking update posted earlier this morning, I thought it would be nice to feature some of our top-ranked athletes who have been contributing their winning ways on winning teams as the postseason fast approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493398"],"_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-67053cb103af8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is currently ranked No. 6 overall and plays for the 26-4 Beloit Trojans. In 30 matches Thompson has recorded 253 kills and 79 blocks. I saw her play last weekend at a tournament in Concordia and it was the best I have seen her play in person. Thompson is a quick-moving middle with a long reach. She has verbally committed to play for Wichita State University. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173395"],"_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-670540cca7c71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hatton is headed off to Arizona after graduation but wants to win a state title in November before she leaves. Hatton is currently ranked No. 23 and the No. 3 ranked libero in the Kansas Class of 2025. She has collected 229 digs in 56 sets for the 20-3 Jaguars. Blue Valley West is among the top three teams in a loaded Class 6A Eastern Sub State. Mill Valley (21-3) and Olathe West (23-4) will battle it out the rest of the month for the top seed in the East. Hatton reached the 1,000-dig threshold earlier this season and will now make a run for 1,500.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173382"],"_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-670540cca7ce8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St. James Academy has a record of 22-3 and is currently tied with St. Thomas Aquinas for the best record in the Class 5A Eastern Sub State. Chavez recently announced that she has verbally committed to play for the Missouri Southern Lions. As a Pittsburg State Alum and having watched her grow as a prospect, I am both proud and jealous. Chavez's stat line in the Thunder's first 23 matches includes 211 serve receptions, 74 kills, 81 digs, and 10 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173373"],"_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-670541673fadd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a team loaded with freshmen talent, it is easy for fans of the Hayden Wildcats to overlook the work of senior McGivern. McGivern has registered 224 kills in 64 sets which is second on the team. She also has 74 blocks which leads the 23-5 Wildcats. Hayden lost two matches this weekend to larger programs Manhattan and Washburn Rural. Those losses cracked open the door allowing Rock Creek (23-4) and Eudora (22-4) to leapfrog the Wildcats for the projected top seed in the Class 4A Eastern Sub State standings. McGivern's senior leadership and championship experience wth Seaman could be crucial down the stretch run. McGivern is verbally committed to play for Villanova University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->