October 13, 2022

Let’s get to freshmen who are making impacts for their respective high school teams. Below, we feature 30 ninth-graders who have made valuable contributions to date this fall. Kayla Nwabueze MB Bloomfield Hills MI – The Blackhawks are 17-11 on the season as the 6-0, 5-star recruit in Nwabueze has shined as the team’s kill leader. She’s totaled 296 to date and is averaging 3.9 per set. On top of that, she’s recorded 117 blocks and counting. Riley Malloy OH Austin TX – Malloy is another 5-star recruit doing big things as a freshman. The 6-4 outside leads the Maroons in kills, putting away 287 while averaging 3.8 per set and hitting .289. She’s also second in blocks. Kinsley Young MB Southlake Carroll TX – The 6-3, 5-star recruit has made her biggest impact on defense. The freshman is leading the way with 67 blocks, averaging 0.6 per set. On the other side of the ball, Young is fifth in kills with 173, averaging 16 per set. Layla Austin OH Southlake Carroll TX – The schedule has been rough on the Dragons this fall as they sit at 16-19. However, Austin has been a bright spot with her play. She leads the team in kills with 227. She’s averaging 2.8 per set. Finley Krystkowiak OH Torrey Pines CA – Another 5-star recruit, Krystkowiak was leading the Falcons in kills until missing time recently. While her 189 kills no longer is tops on the roster, her 3.6 kills per set is. Ella Florez S/RS Mill Valley KS – This 5-star recruit is setting and hitting for the Jaguars. To date, she’s the assists leader with 355, averaging 5.1 per set. When it comes to hitting, Florez is currently third in kills at 149, averaging 2.1 per set. Bennett Raterman MB St. Pius X MO – At 19-3, the Lancers are having a strong year. So is Raterman, a 5-star recruit. She’s second in kills with 213, averaging 3.2 per set while hitting .374. She’s also second in blocks with 31, averaging 0.5 per frame. Elena Ruble S St. Pius X MO – The Lancers have also benefitted from the play of Ruble. The freshman setter has played a vital role in running a 5-1. She’s dished out 600 assists and is averaging 9.1 per set. Ellie Hepler L Warsaw IN – Hepler has helped the Tigers to a 20-8 mark while holding down back row responsibilities. Her 376 digs are almost 200 more than the next closest teammate. She’s averaging 4.4 per set. She’s also made an impact from the service line, leading the team in aces with 45. Willow Weninger OH/RS Blue Valley Southwest KS – A 6-0, 4-star recruit, Weninger has brought her skill set to the Timberwolves’ lineup. The freshman is leading the way, putting up 212 kills and averaging 3.0 per set. *** Henley Anderson OH Dripping Springs TX – Anderson – a 6-4 rising prospect – has played a valuable role for the Tigers. She’s second in kills with 366. She’s averaging 3.2 per set and hitting .311. She’s also third in blocks with 61. Sydney Lund S Dripping Springs TX – Lund is part of a setting duo that also includes junior Presley Alford. Lund is second in assists at 555 and is averaging 5.1 per set. She’s also third in aces. Emma Cugino L Olentangy Orange OH – Coming off her 14 Open gold medal with Mintonette Sports m.41, Cugino has stepped right in and taken over defensive duties for the Pioneers. She’s currently registered a team-high 324 digs. She’s averaging 6.2 per set. Mia Gold OH Pine Crest FL – The 5-11 freshman outside is leading the Panthers in putaways. She’s tallied 294 kills so far, averaging 4.6 per set. Ava McBride OH Notre Dame Academy CA – McBride – a 6-0 pin – has been part of a 1-2 punch with senior outside Maura McAusland. Both are averaging 3.8 kills per set. McBride is doing it while hitting .252. Paisley Pavliska OH Floresville TX – Pavliska is turning in a monster year for the Jaguars. She has nearly 200 more kills than second with 431. She’s averaging 4.6 pet set. She’s also second in digs with 364, an average of 3.9 per set. Catherine Palmi OH Osceola FL – The Cowboys are currently 20-4 with Palmi playing an integral role. She leads the Cowboys with 427 kills and is hitting .347. She’s producing 5.5 kills per set and she’s also second in both digs and aces. Halle Dolliver OH Malcolm NE – The Clippers are a Class C1 contender with Dolliver powering the attack. She has a team-best 419 kills, averaging 5.8 per set. Dolliver is also contributing with 3.1 digs per set. Halle Thompson OH Grand Oaks TX – Thompson has been a 1-2 dynamic with sophomore outside Samara Coleman. Thompson is second in kills with 367. She’s averaging 3.6 per set and is third in digs. Sara Snowbarger OH Wooster OH – The Generals are sitting at 17-4 behind the play of Snowbarger. The rookie is pacing the offense with 356 kills. That’s an average of 5.4 per set while hitting .318. Snowbarger also has a team-leading 313 digs, averaging 4.7 per set. *** Kylie Kleckner OH Bryon Nelson TX – Kleckner has helped make up a trio of hitters the Bobcats have heavily relied on this fall. Kleckner – a 5-10 outside – has delivered 353 kills, third most on the roster. She’s averaging 3.3 per set. Ayanna Watson OH Bishop Gorman NV – Another rising star, the 6-2 Watson brings the heat to the attack. She’s among the kill leaders with 295, averaging 3.4 per set while hitting at a high rate of .382. Watson is also second in both blocks and digs. Amirra Bailey MB Bowling Green KY – Bailey has played a key role as the Purples have built a 31-2 record. The freshman is second in kills with 285. She leads the team in