Chris Tobolski

We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Emma Parks. *** When it comes to our recent featured Player of the Week highlights sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we have encountered athletes who have grown up either immersed in volleyball or ones who started late in the game and have blossomed quickly. What those two dynamics share in common however are all were in love with volleyball from their introduction to the sport. Emma Parks has a different tale. She didn’t grow up loving volleyball or falling in love with it at first sight. She was focused on playing basketball and determined to continue on as long and as far as she could in that sport. It’s not that she was totally opposed to volleyball. She spent her first year playing on a regional team in fourth grade. “I was definitely super into basketball growing up before I started volleyball,” Parks said. “I didn’t want (volleyball) to interfere with basketball when I first started. I transitioned to only playing volleyball in eighth grade.” Growing up participating in multiple sports brought out Parks’ competitive spirit. Having older sisters helped too, as they were also competitive and she would naturally challenge herself against them. While giving up basketball wasn’t easy, she did find herself drawn more and more to volleyball. “I think volleyball is really different than everything else,” she said. “Especially having new sets where you can win one set and then the next set is anyone’s game. That’s what’s really cool about it. You have to have team work and work as a team.” Parks started out as a middle blocker before spending this past season with Rock City 16-1 playing outside. Her position change started in high school last fall when her coach moved her to the pin and she remained on the left during club. At 6-1 and touching 10-feet, Parks is a rising 4-star recruit who is planning on suiting up for AVC Cle next club season. “I loved playing six rotations and being part of the game the whole time,” Parks said. “The biggest adjustment for me was passing. I didn’t have to pass as a middle. I stayed in to serve but came out for serve receive. So I just didn’t do that as a middle and that’s been the hardest adjustment for me.” This recent club season ended on a high note. Parks and her Rock City teammates earned the silver medal in 16 Club at the AAU Girls National Championships in Orlando. The squad went 13-1, falling to MVVC 16 Red in the gold-medal match. Rock City was the only opponent to take a set off of MVVC as Parks was selected to the AAU All-Star team for the division. “We played at Bluegrass and won the Club division,” Parks said. “Winning the tournament was really good for our team and we really started playing at a higher level.” Up next for Parks is her junior year of high school playing for Meadville. The switch from club to high school offers a different experience, one she enjoys just as much. “I think it’s different going to high school from club,” Parks said. “It’s different but really exciting. We are hoping to have a good season. We only had one senior last year so we are getting the whole team back. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully winning district.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Parks about volleyball and more. Who is your role model or icon you look up to? Parks: I would say I look up to my sisters (Maddie and Hannah) the most. I spent a lot of time watching them play when I was younger. They are the ones who got me interested in the game. I learned a lot from them how hard they worked, how they played and how they responded when things got hard. They are my biggest supporters and they are really important to me. What is your favorite food(s)? Parks: My favorite food is mac and cheese. Specifically, my grandma’s mac and cheese. I love cooking with her. It’s super important to spend time with her. I feel like we have a family recipe in that nobody else makes it the same way. What is your favorite tournament of the season? Parks: My favorite tournament was AAUs. Going into it we were really excited. We got a house all together as a team. That was super fun to be with everyone. Competing at a high level against teams which are really good was fun. We finished pretty well. It was also our last tournament so I think that was fun. What is your favorite team bonding event? Parks: My favorite was when we were in Florida at AAUs. We got ice cream and then we came back to the house and went swimming. It was really fun. The water was really warm. What is your favorite quote? Parks: My favorite quote is by Simone Biles. It’s ‘I’d rather risk that it didn’t work out than the chances that I didn’t take at all.’ What is your go to song to warm up to? Parks: I don’t usually listen to music before games. In high school, we play music before games from our team playlist. If you could have any super power what would it be and why? Parks: I would want telekinesis like in Stranger Things. The main character El (Eleven) has it and it’s useful. I would like to use it in volleyball I guess or really anything. Life would be simpler and it would be really cool. What do you like to do outside of volleyball? Parks: I’d say I

After spending much of June and the early portion of July covering the AAU and USAV national championships, it’s once again time to update our Player Rankings ahead of the new high school season set to kick off in August. We opened with the Class of 2024. Next we released the Class of 2025, then the Class of 2026. Last up is the Class of 2027! Below, we highlight the players who moved up in our star rankings as well as those players who are being ranked for the first time. In determining our Player Rankings, we use our own observations as well as feedback from our panel. These rankings are based on how we see these athletes projecting on the next (collegiate) level. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com for questions or club/college corrections/updates. CLASS OF 2027 Players Moving From 4 To 5-Stars: Peyton Kubik S/RS Dynasty  Olivia Henry OH ASEVC Allie Hudgins OH Austin Skyline Booklyn Sippio MB Gamepoint Naomi Livings OH TAV Nafanua Alofipo L/DS/S Club V *** Players Moving From 3 To 4-Stars: Kaitlyn Herweg L/DS SCVC Landri Trice OH Drive Nation Jaycee Mack MB Wave Camille Presley MB Austin Skyline Cedra Talaga L/DS Mizuno Long Beach Reagan Wallraff MB AZ Storm Mia Diouf RS Gamepoint Ryan Spencer OH Skyline Blake Cussen RS Absolute Mollie Vandeusen S JJVA Jenny Glushakov RS Top Select Mesa Jameson MB Kokoro Westley Matavao OH Forza1 North Carson Caraway OH Infinity Carsyn Comer MB Munciana Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North Addison Otto RS Northern Lights Kaelyn Bjorklund S/RS Northern Lights Clara Christ L Northern Lights Ava Burgess OH Club V Sophia Puleo OH OTVA Jaylynn Carter RS CJV 14 Kim *** Players New To The Rankings: Kristen Sheehy MB AZ REV Natalie Norton OH Tejas Saniya Reynolds MB HJV Corina Barrera OH STVA Hope Erdman MB Tejas Lucy Ripley MB FC Elite Camille Csernik OH TX LEGACY Mackenzie Ratcliff MB Madfrog Sanai Severloh MB Forza1 North Samantha Chavis OH NC Academy Kherynton Chinnis MB Drive Nation McKenna McIntosh OH Rage Brianna Napoles S/RS Miami Hype Sophia Azevedo S Tribe Liliana Tripi S Mich Elite Andie Bowron S Top Select Addison Thompson-Stepp L/DS Legacy Emerson Dorr S/RS IVBA Ryah Cotton S Northern Lights Elsa Matherly OH 303 VBA Karys Campos L/DS Actyve Karleigh Larson S/RS Legacy (CA) Sophia Cotter RS Sunshine Ava Perrin OH Flyers Eva Jeffries MB/OH City Caitlin Crino S Tribe Isabella Borgia OH Mintonette Sports Kacie Schulte OH MN Select Bradee Boyd OH Tribe Kennedi Boomsma MB Kairos Rory Oleksik L/DS A5 Chattanooga McKenzie Burrell OH A5 Layla Dunn MB A5 Elleora Utecht OH Northern Lights Danielle Lewis L/DS CJV London Evans S/RS Munciana Shelby Fuller L/DS Triangle Kennedy Shockley L/DS Munciana Indy Londyn Sommerville MB CI Elite Jenna Brooks L/DS Top Select Dannah Kerberg L/DS KiVA Joanna Cen OH Top Select Kendyl Strack L Munciana Milana Mays MB Munciana Sophia Smith RS Legacy McKenzie Wilkie L/DS A5 Ella Horvick L/DS OTVA Isabella Howard MB Madfrog Kaylie Davis RS Skyline Emily Redwine L/DS Tejas Jordan Morrow OH Hou Skyline Sitoafa Tausinga MB Club V Emmeline Sandgren S Absolute Mya Capistrano L Forza1 North

With the end of the club season concluding with the recent AAU and USAV national championships and the next high school season around the corner, it’s a perfect time to update our Player Rankings. We have already released the updates for the Class of 2024 and 2025. Up next is the Class of 2026. Below, we highlight the players who moved up in our star rankings as well as those players who are being ranked for the first time. In determining our Player Rankings, we use our own observations as well as feedback from our panel. These rankings are based on how we see these athletes projecting on the next (collegiate) level. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com for questions or club/college corrections/updates. CLASS OF 2026 Players Moving From 4 to 5-Stars: Gigi Artiles OH Tribe Halle Thompson OH Hou Skyline Genevieve Harris S Academy Diamond Elena Hoecke MB MN Select Emma Cugino L/DS Mintonette Sports *** Players Moving From 3 to 4-Stars: Sydni Vice OH Memphis Jrs Taylor Stanley RS Dynasty Ryea Jackson MB Drive Nation Blair Thiebaud S Hou Skyline Jayden Robinson OH Hou Skyline Leilani Lawrence OH OTVA   Katherine Byergo MB HPSTL Lydia Stahley OH Team Indiana Sophia Stallworth MB WPVC Elle Mottola S WPVC   Cassidy Bruns L MKE Sting Abby Zimmerman RS SCVC Natalie Carr OH Pitt Elite Isabelle Hoppe S Pitt Elite Lacy Tinnell MB Hou Skyline Lily Bosworth MB Illini Elite Jessica Smallwood OH EVA Nadiya Johnson RS Metro Bella Lopez RS Madfrog Elle Vandeweghe MB Mizuno Long Beach Avery Poulton OH Club V Morgan Williams OH Metro Ryan Sadler OH A5 *** Players New To The Rankings: Madison Victoriano S Skyline Julia Anisimova L/DS Pohaku Simone Heard RS Madfrog Brooke Christoffersen RS Club V Natalie Langston OH Academy Diamond Aubree Deshetsky OH Legacy Aviya Russo OH Academy HP Vivian Hickman S AZ Sky Natalie Monroe OH Vision Hayden Conner MB Aspire Madison Wehr S Gamepoint Brooklynne Brass OH SPVB Macy McAmis L/DS Jupiter Elite Jenna Hunt MB NorCal Megan Ingersoll OH Alabama Performance Emily Miller L/DS Black Swamp Gracie Miller L/DS Black Swamp Saylor Parker RS OTVA Merritt Sliwa OH Rev Colbie McKenna OH EC Power Darby Felts OH K2 Norah Busch MB Club Integrity Taytum Nelson MB Elevate Camden Rahn S/RS OTVA Abby Conklin MB MN Select Elena Estudillo L/DS NE Elite Meena Kasirajan OH Nor Cal Abigail Lesagonicz RS Wave Henlee Moszkowicz L Hou Skyline Adriana Dorn S/RS Rage Emily Pruett RS VVA Lauryn Lewis MB Sunshine Frankie Jones MB Sunshine Cami Huff MB LAV Cydnee Bryant MB Pipeline Ally Fausett S Tstreet Riley Bethea MB A5 Jaedyn Riley S Rage

It’s time for our summer Player Rankings update focusing on the 2024-2027 classes. We spent almost all of June and the early portion of July covering the AAU and USAV national championships so it makes sense to bring a fresh round of updates before the new high school opens in August. We started our latest round of updates with the Class of 2024. We follow with the Class of 2025. Below, we highlight the players who moved up in our star rankings as well as those players who are being ranked for the first time. In determining our Player Rankings, we use our own observations as well as feedback from our panel. These rankings are based on how we see these athletes projecting on the next (collegiate) level. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com for questions or club/college corrections/updates. CLASS OF 2025 Players Moving From 4 To 5-Stars: Marin Collins OH Niagara Frontier (Penn State) Taylor Deckert L/DS SCVC (USC) Addison Horner S/RS 1st Alliance (Wisconsin) Renee Jones RS Metro Kristen Simon L/DS Adidas KiVA (Wisconsin) Addison Gaido RS Austin Skyline (Texas) Addison Makun MB Adidas KiVA (Louisville) *** Players Moving From 3 to 4-Stars: Georgia Watson RS Mission Emma Parks OH AVC Cle Abbey Emch OH/MB Infinity (Pitt) Charlotte Kelly MB NorCal Chalei Reid OH Mauloa Hazel Alevok MB Wildfire (UCLA) Brookelyn Hatton L/DS MAVS KC Olivia Durst L/DS MKE Sting Gabriella Pitcel MB MKE Sting (Illinois) *** Players New To The Rankings: Kelly Valdez L/DS Mauloa Anna Blamires RS Co Jrs (BYU) Zoe Baliva RS HPSTL (FSU beach) Milani Lee RS Forza1 North Leimaile Lasike MB Tstreet LV Katie Camp MB Tstreet LV Kendall Timme OH Arete Mackenzi Davis OH Arete Ai-Lani Hunter RS VVA Delaney Blied MB Seal Beach Emma Rowell S/RS Actyve Tate Drageset OH Actyve (Washington) Brooklyn Washington MB VVA Tatum Sharp MB Rocky Elite Ale Romo OH/S Areté Sanaa Donaie MB AVA TX (LSU) SadieJane Hand MB TAV Charlotte Bell MB Academy (Wofford) Olivia Moffett S CoJrs Maddie Mitchell S/RS MAVS Julia Oster L AVC Cle Riley Lynch MB VA Jrs Chloe Johnson OH Madfrog Makena Rumple MB Arizona Storm Ashby Zubchevich OH City Sarahbelle Jameson OH JJVA Alanah Clemente RS Supernova Alana Bailey MB Far Out Anna Williams MB Aspire Sydney Frazier MB M2

As the recent club season took a pause in May we updated our Player Rankings for the 2024-2027 classes. After spending much of June and the early portion of July covering the AAU and USAV national championships, it’s once again time to update our Player Rankings ahead of the new high school season set to kick off in August. We begin with the Class of 2024. Below, we highlight the players who moved up in our star rankings as well as those players who are being ranked for the first time. In determining our Player Rankings, we use our own observations as well as feedback from our panel. These rankings are based on how we see these athletes projecting on the next (collegiate) level. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com for questions or club/college corrections/updates. CLASS OF 2024 Players Moving From 4 to 5-stars: Taylor Parks S OTVA 17 Aaron (Florida) *** Players Moving From 3 to 4-stars: Alaleh Tolliver OH Academy Tsunami (Butler) Marlee Arrington RS Tstreet IE 17 Taylor (LMU) Brianna Watson RS Drive Nation (LSU) Leilia Toailoa OH Vegas Aces (Alabama) Elina Mortensen OH Club V (BYU) Peyton Petersen Six Pack (Louisville) Nora Wurtz RS/MB NE Elite (Creighton) Reese Ptacek Northern Lights (Kansas) Kamaluhia Garcia Ku’Ikahi (Iowa) Reese Animashaun Hou Skyline (Vanderbilt) Carley Piercefield L Far Out (Western Michigan) Kiernan Stamey OH K2 (Kennesaw State) Ayen Nhial MB KiVA (James Madison) *** Players New To The Rankings: Audrey Kocon S/RS Northern Lights (Providence) Taylor Byl MB Kairos (South Dakota State) Sarah Galligan L/DS NE Elite (Nebraska-Omaha) Arielle Bruk OH Academy HP Gemma Larbalestier L/DS Actyve Isabelle Marco S Academy HP (Utah) Azavia Thomas OH VA Elite Emerson Ahsmuhs OH Act Jessica Jones MB Drive Nation (LSU) Isabelle Swiercz RS Far Out (Central Michigan) Kendall Hopewell MB Far Out (Northern Kentucky) Grace Havlicek MB Tribe (Auburn) Rella Binney L/DS Ku’Ikahi (Texas) Mia Radeff OH Encore (Notre Dame) Mykayla McMillian L Hou Skyline Maeve Rehmann MB Club Ignit (Winthrop) Audrey Small L HPSTL (North Alabama) Anna Blaine S TX LEGACY (Texas State) Jenna Meitzler S/RS Sky High (Iowa) Shannon Sheehy S AZ REV (San Francisco

We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Madison Quest. *** As we were speaking with Madison Quest to feature her as our latest Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, she was traveling from her family cabin in northern Wisconsin to this year’s edition of the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball camp. It’s a trip she’s more than familiar with. Quest has been attending the camp since she was at least 8-years-old. She remembers going with her teams and staying overnight. It all made for a very fun experiences and fond memories. Yet, it was a much different feeling driving to camp this year. That’s because this time she was doing it as a future Badger. The 6-3, 5-star outside hitter recently became the first to commit to Wisconsin from the Class of 2025 when she gave her verbal on June 15. “This time it’s special going as a future Badger,” said Quest, whose mom, Pauline, played volleyball and dad, Matt, played basketball at the university. Playing for MKE Sting and attending Divine Savior Holy Angels, it’s natural to think Wisconsin was Quest’s dream school all along and the only one she had her heart set on. However, she said that wasn’t the case. Yes, her parents attended the school and Quest grew up going to games there, but she kept an open mind and viewed playing elsewhere as a realistic possibility. “I started checking out other schools and looking at campuses, but all the memories made me feel special and it became my No. 1 school,” Quest said. “I went to a couple camps last year like Louisville, Kentucky and Penn State. When June 15 rolled around and I started talking to coaches I knew I wanted to go to Wisconsin when they offered. It was a very fun process.” Quest began gaining traction as a top prospect last season when she played up an age group on the 16s. She remained in the division this season, recently completing a year in which MKE Sting 16 Gold finished tied for 13th at the USAV GJNC in Chicago after starting off as the No. 22 overall seed. “I think throughout the whole season we had some really great wins,” Quest said. “We competed really hard. Looking back at nationals and how we placed was a success for us. It was a memorable team. We were super, super close. At nationals, everyone goes in chasing the championship and all that. I think we went in with the same mentality. We just fell a little short. We had some really great games and beat some teams we trained for. That was a big accomplishment.” With the latest club season wrapped up and summer camps winding down, Quest will shift her focus and attention to the upcoming high school season. She’s already been a two-time all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association. Last season as a sophomore, she averaged 4.2 kills, 2.5 digs and hit .320 in helping the Dashers to the WIAA Division 1 state championship. “That was something for sure,” Quest said. “It was a dream winning the championship. We trained a ton obviously and preparing for each game to get to the semifinals. To get to the championship was crazy. Looking back once we won people were crying. It was a crazy, crazy feeling and something we have a great shot at doing again this year.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Quest about volleyball and more. Who is your role model or icon you look up to? Quest: I would say my mom. I think my parents are a huge part. I think the way she does everything and the way she does stuff is a big part of my life. She always taught me things. She’s a very competitive person in many ways, but she’s not necessarily competitive in the ways you would think. It’s hard to explain because she’s competitive in the small things. That stood out to me. She helps me grow in everything. She talks to me about everything and all the ways she’s helped guide me really makes me want to learn and follow the stuff she’s done. What is your favorite food(s)? Quest: I don’t know. I can’t pick one food. I have a lot I love. I love sushi. I love steak. I love mac and cheese. What is your favorite tournament of the season? Quest: (My favorite tournament is) Nationals. I love competing against the best. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I don’t think it makes it stressful playing against the best. Playing against the best where they are giving you everything they got and you’re doing the same is what I think makes it better. I think it’s a really fun last tournament because you have prepared the whole season and it makes it more special. (Triple Crown) NIT is a really fun tournament too because it’s great competition. But I would say Nationals is my favorite. What is your favorite team bonding event? Quest: I can’t really think of a favorite. I did enjoy from my last club team doing the ropes course and stuff like that and other activities. That was a lot of fun to do the ropes. We were up there having fun. It was a little nerve-wracking for some but it was fun doing it together and supporting people who were more nervous. Do you have a favorite quote or mantra? Quest: I don’t have a specific quote or saying that I have. I do think it’s special that my dad before big volleyball tournaments or in general sends me inspirational messages. Those messages have been something I really like