Class of 2029: Voices From the Championship Stage

The 2026 Kansas 5A State Volleyball Tournament brought together some of the top talent in the state, and the Class of 2029 made its presence felt. With several young prospects catching our attention through their contributions on the court, this group offered a glimpse of the talent and potential continuing to emerge across Kansas.

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The Road to State

For Blue Valley Southwest setter Sophia Morris, the journey to state was shaped by a season filled with adversity. Between injuries and losing players, her team had to find ways to adjust and support one another.

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"One of the biggest factors of helping our team earn a spot at state is probably all of the hard things we had to go through this season," Morris said. "This season we suffered a lot of injuries and losses of players, but I think those things helped push us to become better."

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Morris also credited her team's ability to play freely when it mattered most, explaining that at substate, "everyone was doing their job beautifully."

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For Kapaun Mt. Carmel setter Collyns Livermore, the biggest factor was the growth her team experienced throughout the season.

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"Through each practice we learned how to trust each other, communicate, and stay determined even when things got difficult," Livermore said.

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Meanwhile, St. Thomas Aquinas libero/DS Maggie Nash and her teammates entered the season with the expectations that come with being two-time defending state champions. With a third consecutive title in sight, embracing the pressure became a major focus.

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"The substantial amount of pressure my team had was the biggest challenge we had to overcome," Nash explained. "Since the very first day of practice, our coaches explained that our theme of the year was embracing the pressure." 

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She added, "We were the team to beat, and because of this, we had a reputation to uphold."

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The State Stage

For Morris and Livermore, competing at the state tournament provided an atmosphere unlike anything they had experienced throughout the regular season.

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"The atmosphere at state was very loud and intense, but also an unforgettable experience," Morris said. "It was so fun to be able to play with a huge student section that supported us for the entire day. We felt their energy through their cheers and it gave us an added edge on the court."

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Livermore shared a similar perspective, describing the tournament as a completely different experience from a normal game.

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"The gym was packed and there was so much energy from each team and its supporters," Livermore said. "It was exciting to compete against some of the best teams and players in the state."

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For Nash, the tournament atmosphere came with the opportunity to accomplish something special alongside her teammates. St. Thomas Aquinas entered the weekend looking to make school history with a third consecutive championship.

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"I wanted to help my teammates in any way possible to ensure that we would make school history by winning three championships in a row before they had all left for college," Nash said.

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The Saints ultimately accomplished that goal, with Nash emphasizing the importance of the team-first mentality that carried them throughout the tournament.

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"Not one teammate was the reason for this state championship, but instead, it was the ability we all have to play for one another," she said.

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Lessons in Competition

The opportunity to compete at the state level also gave each athlete a chance to reflect on her individual development.

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For Morris, the tournament showed her just how much she can thrive when the pressure is on.

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"Competing at this tournament showed me how much I actually thrive under pressure and how essential it is to be able to trust myself and my teammates that we will get our jobs done," Morris said.

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She also recognized her ability to stay mentally strong and continue bringing energy to her team, even when things do not go their way.

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Livermore used the tournament as an opportunity to learn from the talent surrounding her.

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"Every team at State plays at the highest level possible, and the gym is filled with so much talent," Livermore said. "I learned that these other teams and players can teach me so much about myself and how to improve my own game."

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For Nash, the season brought growth in several areas of her game, particularly her confidence and defensive presence.

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"My coaches have helped me grow towards having higher confidence in myself, increasing my range, and developing a stronger presence on the court," Nash said.

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She also noted that she has grown in her desire to continue competing at the highest level possible, with an emphasis on improving her knowledge of the game and anticipating what happens next on the court.

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Looking Ahead

With another season on the horizon, all three prospects are taking lessons from the state tournament into their continued development.

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Morris hopes to carry the confidence and intensity she found throughout the tournament into next season.

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"From this year's state experience I learned the importance of staying positive, confident, and trusting my teammates no matter what happens in the end," Morris said. "I also have learned to embrace the big moments and to use them as motivation for the next season and to keep working towards my goals!"

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For Livermore, consistency and continued improvement are at the top of her list.

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"I learned how important it is to be consistent and put in the work throughout the entire season," Livermore said. "I also want to take what we experienced at state and use it as motivation to keep improving and come back even stronger next year."

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Coming off a historic championship season, Nash is looking to continue building on the confidence and competitive mindset she developed throughout the year. Her focus on becoming a more knowledgeable player and anticipating plays will be important as she continues to grow at the libero/DS position. 

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"In the future, I want to improve my overall knowledge of how to become the next best player and my ability to fully predict what will happen next on the court," Nash said.

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As these Class of 2029 prospects continue to build on their state tournament experiences, their drive to improve and compete promises to make them names worth following in the seasons ahead.