September 14, 2023

The past couple of weeks we have checked in on teams from our Top 50 National HS Rankings. You can get caught up on those here and here. Below, we focus on 11 freshmen who have been starring so far for their respective high schools. Allie Hudgins OH Westlake TX – A 5-star recruit, Hudgins had a big club season playing for Austin Performance. She’ll spend next club season on the Austin Skyline 15 Royal roster. In the meantime, she’s been starring her rookie campaign at Westlake, which is 27-7 as of this writing. She’s currently second on the team in kills with 290, averaging 3.5 per set. She’s first in blocks with 35, as well as third in digs, averaging 2.3 per set. She recorded a season-best 19 kills in a five-set victory over Stony Point in mid-August. Carson Caraway OH Jackson Academy MS – The Raiders are currently sitting at 24-6. Caraway – a 4-star recruit who played this past club season at Infinity Volleyball Academy – has been a huge part of the success, leading the team in kills with 286. She’s also third in digs with 2.2 per set. She set a season-high mark with 20 kills in a sweep against Hartfield Academy on Sept. 7. Mia Ray OH North Gwinnett GA – Ray was part of A5 14 Helen’s silver-medal performance at AAUs, earning All-Tournament Team honors in 14 Open. Her talents have shown up for the Bulldogs, who are 20-8 to date. Ray’s another freshman who is leading her squad in kills. She’s totaled 262 so far, averaging 3.9 per set. She’s also second in aces with 30. Marissa Jones S Woodward Academy GA – A teammate of Ray during the club season for A5 14 Helen, Jones is a 5-star recruit who has played an important role for the Eagles. She sits at 350 assists, averaging 7.0 per set to date. She’s also playing another role in the offense as she’s third in kills with 68, averaging 1.4 per set. Other contributions have included leading the team in blocks so far with 35 and sitting second in aces with 29. Her best outing so far featured 18 assists and 9 kills in a five-set loss to Trinity Christian. Brynn Stephens S/RS Rock Hill TX – A 5-star recruit who was an integral part of TAV 14 Black’s gold-medal performance in 14 Open this summer in Chicago, the 6-2 Stephens is shining for the Blue Hawks. She’s made huge impacts with both her setting and hitting. She leads the team in both. She’s posted 243 kills, averaging 3.1 per set, and has dished out 443 assists, averaging 5.7 per set. She’s also second in digs with 205, averaging 2.6 per set, while leading the team in aces with 59. Sophee Peterson S Byron Nelson TX – Peterson – a 4-star recruit – was another key member of TAV 14 Black’s national championship in 14 Open. She too set and hit but has been setting her freshman season as part of a 6-2. Peterson has 365 assists, averaging 6.4 per set. She’s also tied for third in digs with 139, averaging 2.4 per set. She’s also contributed at the service line, as she’s third in aces. Lydia Chinchar RS Carrollwood Day FL – Chinchar became a household name this past club season while playing up two age groups for No Name 16 Sarah. The 4-star recruit set and hit in club but has starred as a right side for the Patriots. She’s been the featured part of the attack. Her 180 kills not only lead the team, but are more than the next three leaders combined. She’s averaging 6.2 kills per set as well as leading the team in blocks with 22. She’s reached double-digit in kills in all but two matches, including a season-best 20 in a three-set victory over Viera at the Nike TOC Southeast tournament. Westley Matavao OH Orange Lutheran CA – Matavao – a 4-star recruit – was the go-to hitter this past club season for Forza1 North 14 One. She’s taken on the same role for the Lancers during her rookie season. She leads the roster with 175 kills, averaging 5.0 per set. She’s also tied for first in blocks and second in digs. She put up a season-high 30 kills in a five-set victory over Ontario Christian on Sept. 5. Peyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley IL – A 3-star recruit, Heatherly is another freshman who played a dual role in club by hitting and setting. However, she’s taken over the setting duties for the Macs, who recently took third place at the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament with Heatherly running a 5-1. In 36 sets played to date, she’s dished out 205 assists, averaging 5.7 per set. She’s been strong from the service line too, leading the team so far in aces with 16. Siena Ebert L/DS Hockaday School TX – Ebert, who will suit up during the club season for Madfrog 15 Green, has been a standout defender thus far for the Daisies. The freshman leads the team currently with 295 digs, averaging 4.5 per set. Hockaday is set to participate in next week’s Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas, the second year in a row the school is making the trip. Kat Wulff-Smith L/DS Garces Memorial CA – The Bakersfield school lost its first match of the season. Since then, the Rams have reeled of 16 consecutive victories. Wulff-Smith has had her hands in on the success. She’s owned the back row, leading the way with 272 digs. That’s an average of 6.8 per set. She’s also second in aces with 30.