By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University volleyball coach Chris Herron announced the signing of five in-state incoming freshmen for the 2025 season on Thursday morning, including Washburn Rural star Layla Collins.
Layla Collins, Washburn Rural
Collins, who was named the Centennial League player of the year earlier this week, is joined in the signing class by Spring Hill's Sydney Buscher, Olathe South's Kennedy Derks, Shawnee Mission West's Brooklyn Morrisey and Attica's Chloe Traffas.
Signing capsules:
SYDNEY BUSCHER, Spring Hill -- A 5-foot-10 setter and rightside hitter for Spring Hill, Buscher was a three-year varsity player for the Broncos, helping Spring Hill win three straight league titles and earning first-team all-league honors as a senior. Buscher led the league with 462 kills and 362 assists and also had 290 digs and 48 service aces. Buscher also plays basketball for Spring Hill, earning all-league and All-State recognition. She is the daughter of Jill and Dan Buscher and has two brothers, Lucas and Zach, and a sister, Peyton. Buscher plans to major in business
"Coached by another Washburn great, Erica Book (Cowhick), Syd is our fourth player from Spring Hill High School,'' Herron said. "Syd is strong and a dynamic attacker, but she also sets for her high school team. Additionally, Syd is an All-State basketball player."
"I'm so excited to compete in volleyball at the collegiate level and be a part of the Ichabod family,'' Buscher said.
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural -- A 5-foot-11 outside and right-side hitter for perennial state power Washburn Rural, Collins was an All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-State second-team selection as a sophomore, helping Washburn Rural win a Class 6A state championship. Collins was an All-County first-team selection and Centennial League second-team selection as a junior before earning Centennial League Player of the Year honors as a senior. Collins helped lead the Junior Blues as a junior and senior. A two-year member of the National Honor Society, Collins also plays softball, making two state appearances. Collins is the daughter of Emily and John Collins and has one brother, Harrison. She plans to major in actuarial science.
"Watching Layla's progression from a role player when she was younger to the main offensive weapon on her outstanding high school team has been great for me,'' Herron said. "Layla is a six-rotation outside, she can score from anywhere on the court."
"I chose Washburn because the team was very welcoming and I saw it as the best place to build my future," Collins said.
KENNEDY DERKS, Olathe South
A four-year member of the Olathe South volleyball team, Derks is a 6-foot middle hitter. As a junior Derks received All-Sunflower League and she earned second-team recognition as a senior. Derks' club team earned a third-place finish in the open division at the 2024 nationals. Derks is the daughter of Wendy and Brandon Derks and has one brother, Colton. Derks plans to major in nursing or radiology.
"Kennedy is a dynamic attacker,'' Herron said. "She plays (outside hitter) for her high school team, but plays (middle hitter) for her club team, Pohaku. Her versatility as a hitter means we can put her anywhere in the front row and she can be effective."
"I chose Washburn because not only did the campus give me the sense of home that I was looking for, but the volleyball program did too!'' Derks said. "It's a place I can see myself growing in educationally and athletically too."
BROOKLYN MORRISEY, Shawnee Mission West
A 5-foot-10 middle blocker, Morrisey was a four-year member of the Vikings' volleyball team. Morrisey also participates in track and has been a member of Black Student Union, DECA and a member of the National Honor Society. The daughter of Jessica Morrissey, Morrisey plans to major in mass media.
"Brooklyn is coached by former Washburn player Katie Heeter,'' Herron said. "Brooklyn is a high riser and really likes to run the slide attack. Brooklyn plays her club ball for the MAVS, so we know she will be playing at the level needed to be ready for next fall."
"I'm excited to be a part of the strong volleyball team at Washburn and I love how the location is close to home," Morrisey said.
CHLOE TRAFFAS, Attica
A 5-foot-4 defensive specialist and libero, Traffas was a four-year member of the Bulldogs' volleyball team. Traffas has been a HOPL first-team all-league member all four years, three years as a libero and as a setter/outside hitter during her senior season. As a sophomore, Traffas helped Attica to a third-place finish in the Class 1A Division II state tournament. As a junior Traffas recorded 562 digs and was a second team All-State selection for 1A Division II for a second straight year. She tallied 1,806 digs and 312 career aces with a 149-19 record with the Bulldogs. Traffas also participated in basketball for two seasons and was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and student council for two. Traffas is the daughter of Mandy and Brett Traffas and has one brother, Cooper. She plans to major in business marketing.
"Chloe is fearless defender and very good in serve receive,'' Herron said. "She plays for Shockwave out of Wichita and has to drive several hours each day for practice. This tells you how much she loves the sport and wants to play at the highest level possible."
"I chose Washburn because not only do they have a strong volleyball program, but they also have an amazing coaching staff that I felt a connection with,'' Traffas said. "I loved the team's dynamic, I feel like it fit my vibe, and I'm so excited to be a Bod!"
