August 31, 2023

Earlier this month we took our first look at how the recruiting classes for the Class of 2025 are starting to stack up. We highlighted five of the top classes to date. This week, we continue diving into the Class of 2025 by looking at other programs which are off to great starts and/or where more 5-star recruits are landing, in no particular order. USC   Breakdown: The Trojans came out of the gate on fire, landing a pair of 5-star talents in Messer and Deckert and a 4-star recruit in Loper. Both Messer and Deckert are at the top of the class at their respective positions. Depending on who you ask and what measures you want to use, Messer is arguably one of the top two setters in the class. The same goes for Deckert at libero, as many would consider her to be the top defender in the class. That’s two key positions locked up. Messer is playing high school at St. James Academy, which has the potential to be one of the top schools in the country this fall. Deckert is at Mira Costa, which has already shown it is one of the best teams in the nation thus far after winning the Ann Kang Invitational and defeating Mater Dei CA earlier this week. While Messer and Deckert are more polished players at the moment, Loper is intriguing because of her upside. She’s currently at San Clemente for high school. Being 6-2, she certainly has the length to excel at the next level. She had a strong club season in which she progressed nicely and will continue to improve as she adds more strength and power to her swing. *** DUKE   Breakdown: There is no doubt the Blue Devils have made major waves with this class. The fact they have two 5-star athletes committed so far is remarkable. Glass is another highly-ranked setter and one of the best in the class. She’s taller at 6-1 and had a strong club season with Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal this past spring and summer. She plays high school at St. Andrew’s. Another great recruit for Duke is 6-3 middle Gillen-Malveaux. She too had a standout club campaign with Drive Nation 16 Red and will switch over to Skyline for next season. The junior is currently playing high school for Greenville. Zubchevich has flown under the radar but could be a solid contributor at the next level. She’s a 6-1 outside who is touching 10-2 with a lively arm. She plays club for City and high school at La Canada. Wayne is a recent commit. She’s a 6-4 middle who played club last season for Madfrog before moving to TAV for the upcoming campaign. She has a strong arm and will add versatility with her ability to shift and play on the pin as well. *** OREGON   Breakdown: Though Oregon doesn’t currently have any 5-star commits, the Ducks have a solid class featuring three 4-star recruits. Cogill is a 6-4 middle who starred this past club season in role for the USAV 16 Open gold medalist Arizona Storm 16 Thunder. She plays high school for Perry. The Ducks went much further east for their next two 4-star commits. Bell – who plays high school at Roncali – is listed at 5-11 but plays taller than that with her jumping ability. She also has a whippy arm and is the type of player that has succeeded at Oregon under the current coaching staff. Mogridge is a 5-10 setter who moves very well and is consistent with her location. She should fit right in should the Ducks want to run a 6-2. She recently transferred high schools and is playing for Berkeley Prep. Mitchell is a local talent who adds another setting option and too could fit right in running a 6-2. *** KENTUCKY   Breakdown: Kentucky’s featured recruit thus far is O’Brien, a 5-star setter who is among the top five at her position in her class. She’s among the taller setters in the class at 6-1. She’s a smooth disher with strong command of the offense and is currently starring at Cinco Ranch for high school. Watson is a lesser-known name as she didn’t play for a club that competed on the national stage in Open. However, she’s 6-3 and touching over 10 feet. She has a big arm and will add physicality to the attack. She plays high school at Huntley in Illinois. Ward is a solid ball control addition. She spent this past season as defensive specialist for KiVA 16 Red, which featured 5-star Wisconsin commit Kristen Simon at libero. For high school, Ward plays for Holy Cross. *** OHIO STATE   Breakdown: With two commits so far, Ohio State’s class is one of the smaller ones we have noted. However, it does include a 5-star recruit in Gauthier. At 6-2 and with a powerful arm to match, she’s long been a next-level prospect. After playing 15s a season ago at Far Out, she moved up and competed on the 18s this year as a sophomore before finishing the season out at AAUs playing in 17 Open. She plays high school at Shelby. Stahler is a recent commit and brings the other side to the equation with her defense. She plays high school for Benjamin Logan in Ohio. *** PENN STATE   Breakdown: With Collins playing for Niagara Frontier, she doesn’t get the attention of other top-level recruits playing for national powerhouses. However, Collins – who plays for Frontier in high school – has tons of upside and lots of room for growth to star in college. She’s 6-3 with a snappy swing that generates a lot of pace. She was Penn State’s first commit from the class. Nichols is not currently ranked but will be in our next update. She’s not as polished as other middles in the class, but she comes with tremendous potential being 6-4 and her level of athleticism. She could develop