November 30, 2023

So far we have put out our Senior, Junior and Sophomore Player of the Year Candidates already. Last up is our Freshman Player of the Year Candidates. When it comes to selecting Player of the Year Candidates, it’s a subjective list. There are determining factors used in order to provide parameters to choosing the players below. We looked at the talent level of the player, their impact on the team and overall team success. The first is very subjective, because not everyone will agree on a player’s talent level. Judging a player’s impact on a team usually falls under being among the top kill leaders or if a setter running a 5-1, or even major contributions as both a setter and hitter. Overall team success is judged based on how a team fared in their respective state playoffs. Depending on the competitiveness of the state and division, teams needed to reach at least the Round of 16 or quarterfinals to be considered. We’ll next narrow down the list of candidates to the Player of the Year Finalists, where we’ll highlight each finalist and the reason why they are up for the Freshman Player of the Year award before selecting the Player of the Year. Lastly, we are releasing a separate list for our Libero of the Year Candidates, so you won’t find any defenders below. Freshman Player of the Year Candidates (alphabetical order) Amelie Pankonin OH River Falls WIAnabelle Schembra S Center Grove INAva Burgess OH Lone Peak UTBrianna Napoles OH Doral Academy FLBrooke Friesen S/RS Sprague ORCalli LeFevre OH Marian MICaroline Ward OH Tri-West Hendricks INCarson Caraway OH Jackson Academy MSCatherine Williams S St. Croix Falls WIDestinee Chukelu MB Blessed Trinity GA *** Ellyson Randolph OH Reagan NCEmery Gonzales S Torrey Pines CAEmma Kingston MB Mater Dei CAGentry Barker OH Lovejoy TXGeorgia Lemay OH Bishop Miege KSGrace Goodyke OH Grand Rapids Christian MIHanna McGinest OH Sierra Canyon CAIsabel Incinelli MB Winter Park FLKate Kalczynski OH Mercy MIKendall Omoruyi MB Sunnyslope AZ *** Lauren Forelli OH Liberty AZLina Wang OH McIntosh GALouise Neuhart OH Virginia Academy VALydia Chinchar RS Carrollwood Day FLMallory Wandel OH Rockford MIMalorie Boesiger S Norris NEMariah Akinsola MB Reedy TXMarissa Jones S Woodward Academy GAMarlie Smith S/RS Clarkston MIMazie Sweers S/RS Pleasant Valley IA *** McKenna McIntosh OH St. Mary’s CAMia Ray OH North Gwinnett GANafanua Alofipo S/RS Skyline UTNatalie Norton OH Pantego Christian TXNora Herian MB Pierce NENyla Livings MB Prestonwood Christian TXOlivia Henry OH Fieldston NYPeyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley ILPeyton Kubik OH Blue Valley West KSReagan Wallraff MB Elkhorn North NE *** Riley Hake OH Legend CORiley Riggs OH Mill Valley KSSophia Puleo OH Academy Holy Names FLSophia Dostic S Plant FLTessa Larkin OH Xavier Prep AZWestley Matavao OH Orange Lutheran CAZamari Christensen S Woods Cross UT