First-World Problems, First-Rate Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time this season, “first-world problems” got in my way yesterday, and I missed my first volleyball match of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I took my car into the shop on Monday for a quick fix, and you guessed it, it's still at the shop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I intended to travel to Junction City yesterday to scout, but I missed Great Bend's three-set sweep of the Bluejays 25-8, 25-13, 25-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To try to make up for missing that match, here is a quick look at some athletes and teams from Western Kansas playing first-rate volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My intention is to still be in Emporia tomorrow night, as long as my car gets finished being fixed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='623131' first='Mikala' last='Minton']</strong>, 5'7”, OH/S, Great Bend, '28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minton is ranked No. 17 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028 by Prep Dig. Through 27 sets played, she leads the Panthers in kills with 91. She has been playing six rotations for the Panthers, and has also collected 85 digs, 91 serve receptions, and 11 blocks. Great Bend has started its season at 9-4 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839717' first='Zoe' last='Winter']</strong>, 6'0”, OH,  Hays, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winter leads the Hays Indians in kills early in the season. She had recorded 91 kills in 31 sets played. She is ranked No. 270 overall. I hope to see her and the rest of the Hays Indians tomorrow in Emporia. Through 15 matches, the Indians own a record of 10-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809843' first='Reagan' last='Cheney']</strong>, 6'2”, MB, Beloit, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beloit's Cheney is ranked No. 148 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. She currently leads Beloit in kills. In her first 44 sets of the season, she has registered 162 kills.&nbsp; She is also among the state leaders in blocks with 52. The Trojans have started their season with a record of 16-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='524466' first='Regan' last='Widener']</strong>, 5'10”, RS, Ellinwood, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellinwood is undefeated through its first 17 matches. Widener is one of two athletes on the roster with more than 100 kills to date. Through 32 sets, she has tallied 105 kills to lead the Eagles. She is ranked No. 64 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and has verbally committed to Fort Hays State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='603074' first='Jadence' last='Stewart']</strong>, 5'9”, OH/DS/L, Greeley County, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is ranked No. 38 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She leads the Jackrabbits in kills with 295 in 43 sets played. Greeley County has a record of 13-5 in its first 18 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808072' first='Olivia' last='Stein']</strong>, 6'0”, OH, Ingalls, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stein is tearing it up this season. She unofficially leads the state of Kansas in kills with 275 through 38 sets played. She is ranked No. 12 in the Kansas Class of 2026 and has verbally committed to Wichita State University. The Ingalls Bulldogs are 16-1 in their first 17 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->