Speaking of multi-sport athletes, Schmidtlein will have a full suite of athletic options for her future collegiate tenure. The volleyball side has generated eye-popping figures like the 500 kills she amassed with Hayden High School in 2025. Schmidtlein’s prep tape reveals one of the most unique, dynamic hitters in the state, regardless of class. As the dial spins from one rotation to the next, Schmidtlein morphs from a pin hitter to a middle attacker to a jaw-dropping slide hitter. That leads to a 1,000-swing sophomore season and further growth with Topeka Saints this spring. The possibilities are endless.

Schmidtlein is ranked No. 2 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She has a swing like Paul Bunyan and is as powerful as Babe the Blue Ox. The word explosive does not even begin to describe her game. She has recorded back-to-back seasons with 400-plus kills for Hayden. She is the No. 1 hitting threat on this Saints team, which is loaded with hitting options.

Hayden’s Schmidlein tallied 296 digs and 491 kills during her sophomore season. She has posted back-to-back seasons with those numbers. She is on pace to have a career like “my main man,” Sammy Sosa. The former Cub outfielder strung together four straight seasons with at least 50 home runs and 130 RBIs. If she pulls that off, those numbers four-straight seasons in a row, Holy Cow! The Wildcat prospect is ranked No. 2 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028.

Schmidtlein finished with 491 kills in 98 sets played for the Class 4A State Runner-up Wildcats. She is a multi-sport talent with a huge reach. The Hayden sophomore is ranked No. 3 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She was named to the KVA Class 4A All-State first team. Schmidtlein was also a member of the All-Deck 2028 Team.

Past KS/MO showcases have had no shortage of frontcourt length. Schmidtlein brought an imposing presence to our showcase circuit despite being one of the youngest entrants at last summer’s event. She proved to be a force in the middle and has put up the prep numbers to back it up. Schmidtlein has already soared past 400 kills as a sophomore and has done it on a scorching 0.318 clip. This is the kind of hitter who can adapt to any tempo and allow her enormous reach to overpower defenses.

Hayden’s Schmidtlein is ranked No. 3 overall after previously being ranked No. 1 overall. She is a multi-sport talent who is also ranked No. 2 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas. She can jump out of a gym and has the ability to lead her prep and club teams in kills every match and in points during every basketball game. I have seen her multiple times over the past couple of seasons, and she is a treat to watch. Through 51 sets played, she has recorded 232 kills, 23 aces, 28 blocks, and 179 digs for the Wildcats. Her slight dip in the rankings is more about what Lee and Miller accomplished with my eyes on them for the first time.

Schmidtlein is the No. 1-ranked athlete in the Kansas Class of 2028. She had a good match, but not her most dominant. She did play solid defense, finishing with eight digs and six serve receptions. When she gets on top of the ball, she is almost impossible to dig. She recorded seven kills in Hayden’s win over Wellsville.

Schmidtlein is the second member of the Saints to earn All-Tournament recognition in Dallas. She is ranked No. 1 overall by Prep Dig Kansas in the Class of 2028. She is a physical hitter who has increased her strength over the past year. Her confidence in her game is unyielding, and there is no stage or level she is scared of. The Hayden sophomore will have a goal of earning a second straight state tournament appearance for the Wildcats in 2025.