TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn volleyball head coach Chris Herron announced the signing of five incoming freshmen for the 2025 season on Thursday morning. The class includes five Kansas products each playing different positions.
Sydney Buscher | S/RS | 5-10 | Spring Hill, Kan. | Spring Hill HS
High School: A three-year member of the Spring Hill volleyball team ... helped the Broncos to a league title as a sophomore and junior ... earned first team All-League honors as a senior ... led the league with 462 kills and 362 assists ... also had 290 digs and 48 aces ... won a third straight league title ... also participated in basketball all four years ... earning All-League and All-State recognition
Personal: Daughter of Jill and Dan Buscher ... has two brothers, Lucas and Zach, and a sister, Peyton ... plans to major in business
Herron on Buscher: "Coached by another Washburn great Erica Book (Cowhick) Syd is our 4th player from Spring Hill high school. Syd is strong and a dynamic attacker, but she also Sets for her high school team. Additionally, Syd is an All-State basketball player. Shewill play her club ball for Power this club season."
Buscher on Washburn: "I'm so excited to compete volleyball at the collegiate level and be apart of the Ichabod family!"
Layla Collins | OH/RS | 5-11 | Topeka, Kan. | Washburn Rural HS
High School: A three-year member of the Washburn Rural Jr. Blues volleyball team ... as a sophomore was an All-League, All-County and All-State second team selection helping Washburn Rural to a 6A State Championship ... was an All-County first team selection and Centennial League second team selection as a junior ... named Centennial League Player of the Year as a senior ... also helped the Jr. Blues to regional championships as a junior and senior ... a two-year member of the National Honor Society ... also participated in softball making two state appearances
Personal: Daughter of Emily and John Collins ... has one brother, Harrison ... plans to major in actuarial science
Herron on Collins: "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. Layla is a 6 rotation outside, she can score from anywhere
on the court. Layla will play her club ball here in Topeka, for Shazam."
Collins on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because the team was very welcoming, and I saw it as the best place to build my future!"
Kennedy Derks | MH | 6-0 | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe South HS
High School: A four-year member of the Olathe South Falcons volleyball team ... as a junior was named honorable mention All-Sunflower League ... earned second team recognition as a senior ... club team earned 3rd in open division at 2024 Nationals
Personal: Daughter of Wendy and Brandon Derks ... has one brother, Colton ... plans to major in nursing or radiology
Herron on Derks: "Kennedy is a dynamic attacker. She plays OH for her high school team, but plays MH 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. Kennedy's club team took 3rd place in the USAV Open Division last year."
Derks on Washburn: "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! It's a place I can see myself growing in educationally and athletically too. Go Bods!!"
Brooklyn Morrissey | MB | 5-10 | Lenexa, Kan. | Shawnee Mission West HS
High School: A four-year member of the Vikings volleyball team at Shawnee Mission West ... also participated in track and was a member of Black student union, DECA and a member of the National Honor Society
Personal: Daughter of Jessica Morrissey ... plans to major in mass media
Herron on Morrissey: "Brooklyn is coached by former Washburn player Katie Heeter. 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."
Morrissey on Washburn: "I'm excited to be apart of the strong volleyball team at Washburn and I love how the location is close to home"
Chloe Traffas | DS/L | 5-4 | Attica, Kan. | Attica HS
High School: A four-year member of the Attica Bulldogs volleyball team ... 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 helped Attica to a third-place finish at the 1A-Div II state tournament ... as a junior recorded 562 digs and was a second team All-State selection for 1A-Div II for a second straight year ... tallied 1,806 digs and 312 career aces with a 149-19 record with the Bulldogs ... also participated in basketball for two seasons and was a member of the National Honor Society for three and student council for two
Personal: Daughter of Mandy and Brett Traffas ... has one brother, Cooper ... plans to major in business marketing
Herron on Traffas: "Chloe comes to us from Attica High School. Chloe is fearless defender, and very good in serve receive. 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."
Traffas on Washburn: "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. I loved the team's dynamic, I feel like it fit my vibe, and I'm so excited to be a Bod!"
