Heart of America Region Players Shining at Triple Crown

Due to other responsibilities, I didn't get to see as many players as I would have liked, but some players in a few games caught my eye. I don't cover Kansas anymore, but I can't help but talk about what I've seen from these players.   Grace Lutman - S - [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite   Lutman was as composed a player as I saw over the three days from the setter position. Her facial expression never changes as she stays locked in throughout the match. I like she never seems to get sped up and is always in control. Her set placements were solid and she exhibited good defensive skills in the back row.   Hayden Houseworth - OH - [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite   For 15s, I was impressed with Houseworth's shot selections and ability to score the ball out of system. She is an offensive catalyst on this team and makes plays when her team needs her to deliver.   [player_tooltip player_id='562379' first='Chloe' last='Seals'] - MB - [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite   I liked seeing this middle in action. She has fast-twitch muscles that allow her to get off the ground fast. On offense, the tempo along with her quickness allowed her to beat the defense with her thumb-down shots to the corner. She also is a good blocker in the middle for this defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='562061' first='Amaya' last='Jimenez'] - L - [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite   A couple of things that stood out in Jimenez's play over the match I watched. One, she is a strong server and does a good job of hitting seams. Second, she is a vocal leader in the back row and gets her hands on as many balls as she can, showing confidence in her ability to get quality balls to her setter.   [player_tooltip player_id='503124' first='Blakely' last='Walter'] - S - Topeka Saints 15 Gold   I've seen Walter's name mentioned often by my colleagues on the Kansas side of the state line. This is the first time I've seen her live and she is as good as advertised. She does a good job of getting touches when in right front on the block. Offensively she has some of the best hands I've seen in this age group locally.   Karis Miller - OH - Topeka Saints 15 Gold   When the team needs a kill, Miller is who they count on to deliver. Her ability to score on both pins and in the back row shows her value and playmaking ability. She has good size and is a player who will catch the eyes of numerous coaches over the years.   [player_tooltip player_id='483894' first='Sofia' last='Simic'] - OH - [program_tooltip program_id='432164' first='Fight' last='Club'] 17-1   [player_tooltip player_id='483894' first='Sofia' last='Simic'] may be one of the best players I saw this weekend regardless of age group, division, etc. She is a 2027 player playing up on the 17s and she was the best player on the court. She can fill up the stat sheet with her array of shots. She was a hidden talent from small Hoisington, Kansas where she had over 700 kills last season. She's not a secret anymore as I saw schools like Kansas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma courtside for the match I watched.   [player_tooltip player_id='357544' first='Suttyn' last='Harris'] - OH - [program_tooltip program_id='432164' first='Fight' last='Club'] 17-1   Harris is a great compliment to Simic and is another dynamic pin who makes plays on the left pin. She does a good job of swinging through the block, while also taking something off of it to find the floor on roll shots. She is a Utah commit, so she is a player with tremendous upside and skill.   [player_tooltip player_id='434374' first='Kya' last='Behr'] - S - [program_tooltip program_id='432164' first='Fight' last='Club'] 17-1   Behr has tremendous set placement and her decision-making was strong. From deciding when to hit the slide to setting the pipe, she didn't error and kept her team in service with good balls. She is another 2027 player who will surely see her recruitment increase.

Due to other responsibilities, I didn't get to see as many players as I would have liked, but some players in a few games caught my eye. I don't cover Kansas anymore, but I can't help but talk about what I've seen from these players.