Breakout KS/MO 2029s We’re Excited to See at GJNC (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the next wave of Heart of America stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have so much to discuss and preview over the next several days. The flurry of Nationals action looms large from Indianapolis to Orlando. I've already kicked off some look-ahead content on the Nebraska side, but it's time to bring this party to the Kansas-Missouri line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Heart of America Region always boasts a considerable haul of GJNC-bound teams. That's especially true for this year's 15s stars, who have already ushered in a bright future for the area's powerhouses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, 2029s have not hesitated to make a splash. Our database for this class is still in its infancy, and GJNC will further inform any future decisions in the Kansas/Missouri hierarchy. Expect these players to loom large.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909838"],"_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-6a2ef9becff96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029s primarily occupy this year's 15s age group, but we're leading off this feature with the 16s. STATC 16-1 was one of many Heart of America Region squads that found home success at the Show Me Qualifier, allowing standouts like Edwards to land on our radar. This well-rounded attacker boasts experience on both pins while also having the finesse needed to carry a backcourt role. New Covenant Academy provided an early launching pad for Edwards' inclusion on our Missouri watch list, as she accumulated nearly 300 kills in her debut season. STATC has kept the good times rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alaina Craig","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Smithville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Mizuno [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2efce0144d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have another one for the 16s gang. Mizuno [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 16Angela has been a terrific torchbearer for the Heart of America Region, particularly during a podium ascent at the Windy City Qualifier. The team squared up well against a wealth of up-tempo offenses in Chicago, and Craig anchored the effort. The Smithville standout has not shied away from playing up a year with her Missouri peers. Rather, she has assembled an impressive highlight reel as a blocker while making tremendous strides when attacking in front of the setter. 16Angela hopped up to GJNC's 16 National division and will be primed to maintain that upward trajectory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909864"],"_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-6a2f069ba5112"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've seen this name before. Winkley lit up last year's KS/MO Exposure Tour event with her patented blend of power and technique. This Raymore-Peculiar sophomore-to-be can dish out plenty of punishment on quick sets, but her influence with Dynasty 15 Black goes far beyond the flashy plays. She also wields her tremendous vision to take effective first steps toward her blocking target. Quick adaptations will be tested as 15 Black takes on the 15 Open gauntlet. But, if April's Show Me championship is any indication, Winkley and company are ready for the moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909867"],"_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-6a2f069ba517c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ray-Pec strikes again. The Panthers have plenty of frontcourt 2029s to draw from, and Patla has the makings of a future stat-stuffing star. She takes her talents to MAVS 15 Elite for club venues, where early returns have boosted Patla's recruiting stock. She primarily patrols the middle for her crew and has been a reliable terminator behind the setter, too. 15 Elite made a quick appearance on the Heart of America "bid board," earning a runner-up finish in MEQ's 15 USA division. An ascent to Open status launched Patla further into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780519"],"_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-6a2f069ba51c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KC Power 15-1 has arguably been the Heart of America Region's top contender in this age group. This distinction requires some remarkable consistency and leadership at the setter position, and McGuire has always been there to provide it. She fits the mold of so many other springy, athletic setters we've watched in the Kansas City area. McGuire piloted her snappy, pin-to-pin offense to an MEQ championship and a top-five finish at Show Me. Her gunslinging style will be ideal while competing in a notoriously unpredictable 15 Open race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rylee Barnes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gardner-Edgerton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"KC Power","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2f069ba5270"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're drawing from the KC Power well yet again. It's hard to ignore KC Power 15-2's qualifier success alongside its 15-1 counterpart. A runner-up finish at Show Me was the highlight of this journey, and Barnes racked up plenty of individual highlights, too. The Gardner-Edgerton middle blocker is a strong transition hitter who frequently makes herself available in tight situations. She is among the most physical athletes whenever she steps on the court, but Barnes also knows how to harness that length and reach. Her involvement will escalate at club volleyball's most prominent event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->