Catching Up with KS/MO Showcase Alums in 2026 Club Season (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We always love a quick trip down memory lane — especially when the Prep Dig Circuit is involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska has been my home base since I started covering volleyball with Prep Network nearly six years ago. However, my visits to Prep Dig events have never been limited to the confines of the Cornhusker State. I've made multiple trips to our Kansas City showcases, where top talent from around the Heart of America Region has converged. My most recent stop was at last winter's Kansas/Missouri Exposure Tour venue. The event's top standouts have grown a lot since then.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My coverage umbrella has expanded, too. Now that I've been granted the chance to help out with Prep Dig Kansas and Missouri, this feels like a good time to revisit some familiar stars from the Prep Dig stage. There's nothing I enjoy more than keeping up with our event standouts, and these names have carried their showcase success to club competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777364"],"_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-69f7c73ab54e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have a college commitment to address. Mitchell dazzled us with her middle termination at last year's Exposure Tour event, getting on top of the ball quickly to carve indefensible angles. Showcase environments can be tough for middles who have to connect with a rotating cast of unfamiliar setters. Despite this, Mitchell boosted her recruiting stock and paved her path to the next level. The Apex 16 National Navy standout has pledged to Rockhurst University and will bring her game-changing physicality to the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815567"],"_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-69f7c73ab5565"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's a 2027 athlete who should still be on recruiting radars. Moncada displayed her takeover potential at last year's KS/MO showcase, and her influence was not limited to one spot on the court. The MAVS 816 17 National pin hitter played outstanding floor defense at the event and has carried that energy into the ongoing club campaign. She is a tremendous anchor in the right-back area, picking up tips behind the setter with ease. Of course, we can also expect Moncada to do some damage at the net with her quick arm and snappy approach. Her adaptability remains a distinguishing factor in a stacked group of recruitable KC-area 2027s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["665593"],"_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-69f7c73ab55be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can now check in on one of the Exposure Tour's most dominant 2028s. Gilmore towered over opposing blockers and stifled attackers with her impeccable defensive technique in the middle. That showcase outing proved Gilmore's readiness to compete at the Open level, and she has backed that up during Dynasty 16 Black's special 2026 campaign. Gilmore has been a focal point of the team's in-system offense during Dynasty's many journeys to Gold brackets. Her range should translate well to the GJNC stage, where 16 Black will surely remain a title frontrunner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914463"],"_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-69f7c73ab5611"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's another middle blocker for the Dynasty crew. Dynasty 16 Black isn't the only team from this club that has logged experience on the Open circuit. Skelsey and her 16 Blue squad have "leveled up" after securing an early 16 USA bid through the Sunshine Classic. Through this entire ascent, Skelsey has become 16 Blue's leading 'M1' and can generate heat on either side of the setter. Two-hitter rotations allow Skelsey to take over the net with her lethal slide. One-on-one matchups on the quick work, too. This has been a colossal stock-boosting stretch for Skelsey and her 16 Blue allies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778345"],"_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-69f7c73ab566e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're not far removed from our last mention of Roberts and her Invasion 16-Black squad. Roberts was a savvy distributor at the KS/MO Exposure Tour, forming quick links with many of her new "teammates" at the net. That leadership has paid dividends upon joining her Invasion club for this year's qualifier gauntlet. 16-Black won the 16 Liberty crown at the Sunshine Classic and followed it up with two top-ten 16 USA placements. This kind of progress requires steady setter leadership, and Roberts has always been there to provide it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901871"],"_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-69f7c73ab56ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campbell already has a high standing in our 2029 rankings, and her dominance on the Prep Dig Circuit likely contributed to that feat. She was a memorable figure at our Kansas City event with her sharp, whippy southpaw swing. Being a lefty naturally makes Campbell a ready-made asset at the opposite position. She pounces on MAVS KC 15 National's quick tempo and gets ahead of wing blockers at the tape. However, Campbell is a rare instance of a lefty who can do damage in the middle, too. This unusual combination has popped up throughout 2026, elevating our intrigue toward this freshman prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898275"],"_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-69f7c73ab571a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Why not stay with the MAVS KC 15 National crew a little longer? We need some libero representation in this feature, particularly with backcourt stars anchoring many of the Heart of America Region's most stout lineups. Howarter carries the banner for 15 National and laid a solid foundation at our Exposure Tour. She can make all the hustle plays that land on a highlight tape, but Howarter is also eager to make the routine plays that might get overlooked. This excellence has been a catalyst for high placements at events like the Sunshine Classic and the Salt Lake City Showdown, proving that Howarter can take her influence far from home territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->