Hometown Heroes: Kansas Athletes Making an Impact

There’s something special about highlighting talent from your own backyard. Having grown up in Kansas, I’ve had the opportunity to watch the state’s volleyball scene continue to grow and produce standout prospects. Here’s a look at some of the hometown heroes making their mark on the recruiting scene.

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Class of 2028

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Molly McGovern: Silver level OPP/RS- Dynasty 17 Black 

Molly McGovern is one of Kansas’ rising stars, bringing an impressive resume and plenty of high-level experience to the court. As a Silver level OPP/RS playing for Dynasty 17 Black, McGovern is committed to the University of Kansas and competes for Blue Valley High School. She has continued to gain recognition beyond the club and high school levels, participating in the Under Armour Next Camp and earning invitations to the 2026 NTDP Spring and Summer programs after being part of NTDP in 2025. With her continued development and experience against some of the country’s top talent, McGovern is a standout name to watch among Kansas prospects.

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Ellie Bain: Red level setter- Dynasty 17 Black 

Ellie Bain has been a key piece of the Kansas volleyball scene, finding success both with her club team, Dynasty 17 Black, and at the high school level with Mill Valley High School. The Red level setter has committed to Kentucky and earned an invitation to the 2026 Under Armour Next Camp, adding another notable accomplishment to her resume. Her high school career includes a 2024 6A state championship and a third-place finish in the 2025 state tournament. A strong student as well, Bain brings a combination of setting ability, competitive experience, and academic success that makes her a standout from the Sunflower State.

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Jensen Kubik: Red level OH- Dynasty 17 Black 

Jensen Kubik has been a consistent presence at the highest levels of competition throughout her young career. As a Red level outside hitter playing for Dynasty 17 Black, Kubik is committed to USC and has been a varsity contributor at Blue Valley West High School since her freshman year. She helped lead her high school team to the 2025 state championship while also building an impressive national resume, including a 2024 USAV National Championship and appearances with NTDP in both 2025 and 2026. With championship experience at both the club and high school levels, Kubik has quickly become one of Kansas’ names to know in the Class of 2028.

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Class of 2029

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Collyns Livermore: Red level setter- PVA 16 Elite 

Collyns Livermore has already built an impressive resume as a young setter, competing against older athletes while earning recognition across multiple levels. As a Red level setter playingf for PVA 16 Elite, Livermore has attended a large number of camps at programs including Penn State, Kentucky, and Miami, while also earning 2026 NTDP recognition and MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp. At Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, she was nominated to the All-City High School Varsity Team as a freshman and earned First Team All-City and Second Team All-Metro honors. She has also spent time playing two years up in club volleyball, giving her additional experience against older competition and helping accelerate her development as a setter.

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Alaina McGuire: Elite Red level setter- KC Power 16-1 Johnson 

Alaina McGuire has put together a strong body of work both in Kansas and on the national stage. As an Elite Red level setter playing for KC Power 16-1 Johnson, McGuire plays for Shawnee Mission East High School, where she earned First Team All-Sunflower honors. Her club resume includes three top-seven finishes at USAV Nationals, along with participation in the 2025 NTDP and the 2026 NIT NTDP Invitational. McGuire has also made the most of the college camp circuit, training at notable programs including Texas A&M, Kentucky, Arizona State, and others as she continues to prepare for the next level.

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Sophia Morris: Orange level setter- Dynasty 15 Black

Sophia Morris has put together an impressive collection of accomplishments while continuing to grow her game as a setter. As an Orange level setter playing for Dynasty 15 Black, Morris competes for Blue Valley Southwest High School and helped lead her team to a runner-up finish at the Kansas 5A state championship. On the club side, she earned a spot on the 2026 GJNC 14U All-Tournament Team while helping her team finish third in the Open division at the 2026 GJNC. Morris has also attended college camps at Baylor, Alabama, NC State, and other programs, while maintaining strong academics along the way.

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Maggie Nash: Elite Orange level libero/DS- Club North KC 17-1

Maggie Nash has proven she can hold her own against some of the best competition in the country. As an Elite Orange level libero/DS playing for Club North KC 17-1, Nash has experience playing above her age division and was selected as a 14s Club All-American at USAV Nationals in June 2025. She suits up for St. Thomas Aquinas High School and has continued to explore the college game through camps at Alabama, Northwestern, Missouri, and other notable programs. With strong academics to complement her defensive abilities, Nash brings both national-level experience and a well-rounded skill set to the court.

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Class of 2030

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Charlotte Muich: Orange level libero/DS- Shockwave 15 Black 

Charlotte Muich is continuing to make a name for herself as a defensive standout in the Class of 2030. As an Orange level libero/DS playing for Shockwave 15 Black, Muich competes at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School and has already sought out opportunities to develop beyond her regular club and school schedule. She has attended the Under Armour Next Camp, an OU volleyball camp, and events featuring coaches from Kansas, Creighton, and other college programs. Her commitment to putting in extra work outside of practices and matches reflects a strong drive to keep improving as she takes the next steps in her development.

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Reese Baty: Blue level OH- Shockwave 15 Black

Reese Baty is a Class of 2030 outside hitter who continues to build her game through consistent work and high-level training opportunities. As a Blue level OH playing for Shockwave 15 Black, Baty plays at Maize High School and has attended college camps at both Kansas and Oklahoma. She also puts in additional work outside of practices and matches, showing a willingness to invest in her development and sharpen her skills. With plenty of room to grow, Baty is a Kansas prospect worth keeping an eye on as her game continues to progress.

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Class of 2031

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Layla Bain: libero/DS- Dynasty 14-1 

Layla Bain has already experienced plenty of success on the national stage as a young defensive specialist. As a libero/DS playing for Dynasty 14-1, Bain helped her team finish as the runner-up at the 2025 USAV Nationals while capturing an AAU National Championship that same year. She has also begun gaining exposure to the college game through camps at Tennessee and Kansas State, along with an appearance at the Under Armour Next Camp. With championship experience already under her belt, Bain has a strong foundation to build on as she continues developing her game.

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Taryn Ramlow: OH- Dynasty 14-1 

Taryn Ramlow is a versatile young outside hitter who has already shown an ability to make an impact against strong competition. Playing for Dynasty 14-1, Ramlow earned MVP honors at the 2026 TC NIT in the 13U division and has continued to gain exposure through college camps at Tennessee, Minnesota, and Kansas State. She also attended the 2026 Under Armour Next Camp, adding another opportunity to test her skills alongside talented athletes from across the country. With a hard swing and the versatility to contribute in different ways, Ramlow has plenty of tools to build on as she continues her development.