Class 3A State Coverage: Twelve Pool B Standouts

During the first day of the Class 3A State Tournament, I scouted the first two matches in Pool B play.   Holton and Hoisington started the day off with a three-set tilt, won by Holton. The Wildcats went on to go 3-0 on the day to advance to Saturday's semifinals.   The second match I scouted was a two-set win by the No. 2 Seed Riverton Rams, who knocked off No. 7 Seed Osage City.   Joining Holton in the semis from Pool will be the No. 3 Seed Cardinals. Hoisington qualified with a win in the final match of the day over Riverton   Holton will face Wichita Trinity in the semifinal round, while Hoisington will meet Silver Lake. Both of those matches are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1.   Here is a look at 12 athletes who stood out from Thursday's Pool B Action.   [player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson'], 5'10”, OH, Holton, '27   Wilson is one of the top-ranked uncommitted athletes in the Class of 2026. She had an outstanding match in Holton's opening three-set victory over Hoisington. She tallied 16 kills, nine digs, six serve receptions, and two blocks. There were times in the match where she was the only Holton defender who could dig [player_tooltip player_id='808102' first='Sofia' last='Simic']'s blasts.  She is ranked No. 9 overall. She entered the tournament having recorded 338 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='567485' first='Khloe' last='Black'], 5'7”, OH, Holton, '28   Black arguably had the best all-around match in 3A action. She recorded a triple-double against Hoisington, collecting 10 kills, 10 digs, and 13 serve receptions. She transitions from defender to attacker as quickly as any athlete I have scouted this season. Black is ranked No. 13 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She led the Wildcats in kills before the tournament with 387 in 102 sets played.   [player_tooltip player_id='553079' first='Rebekah' last='Lassey'], 6'1”, MB, Holton, '27   Lassey chipped in at the net for the Wildcats against the Cardinals. She recorded three kills and three blocks in the win. She is ranked No. 34 overall. She led the teams in blocks with 84 blocks in 102 sets before the tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='808102' first='Sofia' last='Simic'], 6'0”, OH, Hoisington, '27 (Pictured Above)   Simic had a dominant match to open the tournament. She finished with 28 kills in a three-set loss to Holton. She also had one of the best defensive matches I have seen her play. She tallied eight digs and seven serve receptions, proving to me she is not just a one-trick pony. Simic is ranked No. 5 overall and has verbally committed to the University of Illinois. She entered the tournament with 483 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='809713' first='Kelsi' last='Maier'], 5'10”, OH, Hoisington, '26   Maier was a back-row bandit for the Cardinals. She recorded 22 serve receptions, 11 digs, and four kills in the loss to Holton. Maier is ranked No. 105 overall. She entered the tournament with 275 kills for the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='809798' first='Mila' last='Simic'], 5'11”, MB, Hoisington, '29   Simic is a much faster player than the last time I saw her compete in club ball. She finished two kills, three digs, and two serve receptions in the opening match of the day. Simic is ranked No. 33 overall in the Kansas Class of 2029. Prior to the tournament, she was leading the Cardinals in blocks with 52.   [player_tooltip player_id='830079' first='Avery' last='Barnett'], 5'7”, MB, Riverton, '27   Barnett is the top hitter for the Rams. She has a smooth swing, plays six rotations, and recorded a double-double to open the tournament. I scouted Riverton's first match of the day, a two-set victory over Osage City. She finished the match with 10 kills, 12 digs, and eight serve receptions. Barnett is ranked No. 157 overall. She entered the tournament as the Rams' leader in kills with 465.   [player_tooltip player_id='834448' first='Kynlee' last='King'], 5'5”, RS, Riverton, '28   King is a small explosive package of dynamite. She finished the match with six kills, seven digs, and two serve receptions. King entered the tournament with 354 digs and 279 kills.  She is ranked No. 223 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028.   <a>Alexa Price, 5'5”, DS/L, Riverton, '26</a>   Price had a solid defensive match for the Rams, registering 18 digs and 16 serve receptions. Price is an unranked prospect who entered the tournament with 526 digs in 98 sets played.   [player_tooltip player_id='520311' first='Jewelia' last='Kitselman'], 5'10”, MB, Osage City, '26   Kitselman kept Osage City in the game with her defensive skills. She tallied 19 digs, 16 serve receptions, and three kills. She is ranked No. 181 overall. She was the Indians' leading attacker during the regular season, accounting for 321 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='814649' first='Kaelyn' last='Boss'], 5'8”, MB, Osage City, '28   Boss is ranked No. 46 overall. The multi-sport prospect entered the tournament with a sophomore season stat line that included 281 kills. She chipped in three kills and two digs.   [player_tooltip player_id='888439' first='Amelia' last='Stark'], 5'9”, MB, Osage City '29   Stark has a big reach. She led Osage City with seven kills in the loss to Riverton. She is ranked No. 138 in the Kansas Class of 2029 rankings which were just updated this week. She entered the tournament with 162 kills and 73 digs.

During the first day of the Class 3A State Tournament, I scouted the first two matches in Pool B play.