Chris Tobolski

In this edition of our team spotlights we take a look at 15 schools who are either top contenders or possible sleepers when it comes to their respective state playoffs. We selected programs from around the country to see where they stand and who is shining for them. North Raleigh Christian Academy NC – The Knights are 24-0 and heavy favorites for the NCISAA 4A state title. Grace Mitchener, a 5-11 senior outside, is having a strong year. Her 361 kills leads the team as she’s averaging 5.5 per set while hitting .383. Senior libero Megan Murray is averaging 7.3 digs per set. Calvary Christian FL – The Warriors (22-3) are part of a competitive 3A division that includes national No. 2 Westminster Christian. All three of Calvary’s losses this season have come against nationally-ranked teams in Santa Fe FL, Lafayette MO and Flint Hill VA. Senior outside Deanna Dollar has been key, putting up a team-high 214 kills. She’s averaging 3.8 per set and is hitting .303. Junior setter Taylor Parks – a 4-star Florida commit – is averaging 11.4 assists and 2.2 digs per set. Junior libero Ava Bonin has a team-high 247 digs, averaging 4.3 per set. Bob Jones AL – One of the top teams in 7A, the Patriots are led by sophomores Kennedy Vaughn and Riley Lovell. Lovell is averaging 10.0 assists per set while Vaughn is putting down 4.4 kills per set. Together, they have helped the Patriots go 46-6 so far. Liberty AZ – The Lions (22-6) can’t be overlooked in the 6A playoffs. They have recent wins over favorite Corona del Sol and 5A favorite Horizon and are capable of creating upsets. The 1-2 punch of junior outside Ellie Trimble and sophomore outside Tristen Raymond have been the main targets of junior setter Alyssa Forelli, who is averaging 7.7 assists per set. Trimble has a team-leading 237 kills to date, while Raymond follows with 217. Benton AR – The Panthers (27-0) are chasing an undefeated mark and would need to finish on top of the 5A playoffs to make it happen. The Panthers do own a victory over one of the top 6A contenders in Conway. Making it happen is senior Abigail Lagemann. The 5-11 outside is pacing the offense with 227 kills, averaging 3.2 per set and hitting .324. *** Palmer Ridge CO – The Bears (17-1) are riding a 17-match winning streak and are seeking to finish with a 4A state championship. The lone loss came to undefeated and nationally-ranked Valor Christian, a 5A top contender, in the opening match of the season. Junior Corrie Anderson, a 6-1 outside committed to Dayton, has been terrific. She’s averaging 4.8 kills per set and his hitting .385. Senior setter Kyra Kisting is averaging 9.8 assists per set and has also found success with junior outside Eva Larochelle and sophomore outside Amelia Hansen. Pace Academy GA – The Knights (38-1) are the team to beat in 4A, with their only loss coming to 6A Pope. Among those contributing have been junior Grace Agolli. The 6-1 S/IG has recorded 292 kills to date and is averaging 3.8 per set while hitting .319. She’s also part of the setting duo and is averaging 5.0 assists per set. The other half includes freshman setter Olivia Siskin, who is putting up 4.9 assists per set. Junior outside Ellie Siskin is averaging 2.7 kills per set. Akeny IO – The Hawks are 33-4 and one of the top contenders for the state title in 5A. Ankeny fell to the top-ranked team in 2A in Dike-New Harford and is 2-1 against 5A Liberty and 2-2 5A Dowling Catholic. Senior setter Jesa Wallace – who is averaging 9.5 assists per set – has found junior outside Aowyn Schrader often. Schrader is leading the attack with 295 kills, averaging 3.1 per set. Junior middle Ava Wille leads the team with 87 blocks while senior liber Sydney Otto is averaging 3.9 digs per set. La Cueva NM – The Bears (18-0) are main contender in 5A as they look to put together a perfect season. Sophomore setter Karyna Werley has directed the offense, averaging 10.2 assists per set. Senior outside Ella Sanders, junior Victoria Marthaler and junior outside Tea Kaladjzic have been steady providers to the attack. Elkhorn North NE – Elkhorn North and Skutt Catholic are the favorites in Class B. The sides didn’t play during the regular season as all four of Elkhorn North’s losses came against Class A schools. Senior right side Grace Heaney – a 6-2, 5-star Purdue commit – is putting together a huge season. She’s recorded 358 kills, averaging 4.5 per set. Sophomore Shay Heaney – a 6-2, 3-star outside – is second in kills with 187 followed by junior middle Ava Spies with 176. Junior setter Reese Booth is averaging 10.3 assists per set. *** Millbrook NC – The Wildcats (23-1) are on the hunt for a 4A title and have had a remarkable year to date. Junior Kiarrah Horne – a 5-11, 4-star outside – is powering the offense. She’s has a team-high 350 kills and is averaging 5.4 per set while hitting .481. Sophomore and 3-star recruit Brianna McMillan has contributed in key ways as well. She’s second in both kills (1.4 per set) and assists (4.0 per set). Jenks OK – The Trojans (28-4) are on their quest for a 6A state championship. Junior Maren Johnson, a 6-0 outside, has brought juice to the attack. She has 341 kills, averaging 3.6 per set and hitting .338. Senior setter Brynn Roberts is averaging 8.6 assists per set and junior libero Caroline Wood is recording 3.6 digs per set. River Bluff SC – There’s no doubt the Gators (37-5) are among the top contenders in Class 5A. They are a combined 7-2 against Mauldin, Dorman and Wando. Senior outsides Ava Reeves (3.4 kills per set) and Sarah Lawrence (3.0) have been a strong duo with freshman setter Alexis Jodie averaging 8.3 assists per

Back in August we checked in on the Class of 2024 and how the recruiting classes were beginning to shape up. Then, it had been two months since players could begin committing to schools. There was a flurry of action, as 18 of our 29 5-star recruits already found new homes. Since then six more 5-star recruits have announced their future colleges. Another eight 4-star recruits have announced theirs. Below, we take another dive into the Class of 2024 to see how the recruiting classes are stacking up to date. 5-star recruits to commit since last update: Lola Schumacher, L/DS, Brebeuf HS, Munciana – Wisconsin Lauren Harden, OH, Hamilton Southeastern HS, Rev – Florida Ava Utterback, OH, Plainfield HS, Circle City – Louisville Jadyn Livings, OH, Prestonwood HS, TAV – USC Favor Anyanwu, MB, Sasche HS, TAV – USC Emerson Sellman, OH, Holy Cross HS, Metro – Ohio State Zoey Burgess, MB/OH, Lone Peak HS, Club V – Kansas *** 4-star recruits to commit since last update: Molly Kate Patten, RS, Lambert HS, A5 – Georgia Lolo Lambert, OH, Bishop Lynch HS, Drive Nation – Arkansas Blaykli Bobik, OH, Queen Creek HS, Arizona Storm – BYU Mallory Bohl, MB, Saline HS, Legacy – Notre Dame Mikala Young, OH, Prestonwood HS, TAV – TCU Julia Hunt, MB, Holy Cross HS, NKYVC – Washington Fallon Stewart, OH, Winter Park HS, OTVA – Cincinnati Sarah Brodner, OH/RS, Jupiter HS, High Tide – Virginia Madison Maxwell, S/RS, Saugus HS, Legacy – Long Beach State *** NEBRASKA      Skyler Pierce OH Dynasty (5-star) Olivia Mauch L/DS Premier Neb (5-star) Ayden Ames MB Drive Nation (5-star) Note: The Cornhuskers came out of the gate quickly, landing three 5-star recruits but no new updates since then. They remain in the conversation for best class to date.   Last Update: Skyler Pierce is arguably the top-rated outside from the class. Nebraska also did well getting Ayden Ames from the state of Texas. She’s one of the top-rated middles who could play on the right side or even eventually move to the outside. Rounding it out is 5-star defender Olivia Mauch, an in-state get. There’s still another year to go but it’s already going to be hard-pressed for any program to move ahead of Nebraska. *** FLORIDA         Lauren Harden OH Rev (5-star)*new Jaela Auguste MB Hou Skyline (5-star) Taylor Parks S OTVA (4-star) Ella Vogel L/DS Co Jrs (3-star)*new Bella Lee L/DS OTVA Note: Nebraska is the only school with commitments from three 5-star recruits, with Florida, Louisville, USC and Wisconsin the only other ones with commitments from two 5-star recruits. The Gators’ class took another step upward with the addition of 6-3 outside Lauren Harden. She’s long with the type of frame to excel at the next level. Tending to the defensive side, the Gators also are bringing aboard Ella Vogel, who starred for Co Jrs last spring. Last Update: The Gators were one of 14 schools to have already received a commitment from at least one 5-star recruit. Theirs came from the 6-1 Jaela Auguste. The Texas stud highlights the class so far and will continue the athleticism for the Gators in the middle. Florida also gets a couple of local players, including 4-star recruit and setter Taylor Parks. Parks was solid for OTVA this past club season and seems destined to fit in well with the Gators. *** USC Jadyn Livings OH TAV (5-star)*new Favor Anyanwu MB TAV (5-star)*new Brooklyn Tealer OH Gainesville (4-star) Paisley Douglas L VCNebraska *new Note: The Trojans are making a charge. They started off with a commitment from 4-star outside Brooklyn Tealer, a 6-1 hard-hitting, high-flying hitter from Florida. She wasn’t quite enough to get USC mentioned in our first update but the Trojans have reaped benefits from their recruiting efforts with recent yeses from 5-star outside Jadyn Livings and 5-star middle Favor Anyanwu. The TAV teammates no doubt boost USC up in our watch list as they have big arms coming aboard down the road. *** LOUISVILLE     Nayelis Cabello S/RS Top Select (5-star) Ava Utterback OH Circle City (5-star)*new Payton Petersen OH Six Pack (3-star)*new Note: The Cardinals have climbed the chart thanks to a pair of commitments they’ve added since our last update. Ava Utterback, a 6-0 high-flying outside with a big arm, is the second 5-star recruit to say yes. The class also was boosted by the addition of Payton Petersen, a 6-0 outside with solid all-around game. Last update: Louisville is part of the conversation thanks to a commit from Nayelis Cabello, a 5-star setter/RS from Florida. She projects as a 5-1 setter at the next level because of her 6-1 frame, but she could hit if her versatility is to be utilized. *** WISCONSIN    Lola Schumacher L/DS Munciana (5-star)*new Charlie Fuerbringer S/RS Long Beach (5-star) Note: The Badgers continue to build a strong class. Lola Schumacher is one of the top liberos in the class and coming from a club like Munciana seems to be a natural fit at a program like Wisconsin. Having commitments from two 5-star recruits surely places the Badgers in the running for a Top 5 class to date. Moreover, Wisconsin has also received commitments from international players in Tosia Serafinowska (Poland) and Trinity Shadd-Ceres (Canada). Last update: We must say, given Charlie Fuerbringer’s ability on the sand, it was surprising to see her go out of state and commit to a school like Wisconsin. However, given her indoor ability, she was a sure thing to land at a top program like the Badgers offer. She’s one of the highest IQ players in the class and a dynamic setter. More players are surely to be added to the recruiting haul, but what a centerpiece to begin with. *** MICHIGAN      Camille Edwards S TAV (5-star) Ella Demetrician OH FC Elite (4-star) Ellie White S 1st Alliance (4-star) Jenna Hanes MB Wave (4-star) Lauren Evans OH Munciana (3-star) Note: There’s been no change with Michigan’s class since last checking in. With the number of

Even though the Top 50 HS National Rankings have been taking shape in recent weeks, the biggest determination in our final standings is how teams fare in their respective state playoffs. Most of the 15 teams we spotlight below for our most recent Top 50 have already began that pursuit while others are closing out their regular seasons in the next week or two before doing so. Prestonwood Christian TX (5) – The Lions, who are 32-1, are nearing the end of their regular season and will enter the TAPPS 6A playoffs as the favorite to win state. The lone setback came to fourth-ranked Cornerstone Christian TX in the final of Volleypalooza in late August. The Lions own two victories over No. 8 Highland Park TX, the top-ranked team in UIL 6A (public schools). The loaded lineup includes 5-star recruit and 6-3 sophomore Macaria Spears, who leads the roster currently with 420 kills. She’s averaging 4.8 per set and is hitting .471. Junior outside and recent 5-star USC commit Jadyn Livings (310 kills), junior 4-star recruit Mikala Young (269)(TCU) and 4-star recruit Kennedy Washington (135) are other targets of junior 5-star recruit Camille Edwards (Michigan) and 4-star sophomore Taylor Cook. Defensively, sophomore 5-star recruit Gillian Pitts is holding down, averaging 5.4 digs per set and leading the way with 480. Oconomowoc WI (7) – The Lions earned a 40-1 mark during the regular season and open up sectional play Saturday in pursuit of a Division 1 state title. Cordelia Kearns, a 6-1 senior outside committed to Florida Tech, has been an integral part of the attack. She enters the playoffs leading the team with 255 kills, averaging 4.3 per set and hitting .305. Junior Anna Bjork, a 6-3 middle committed to Notre Dame, is another the Lions have leaned on. Bjork has 201 kills and is hitting .335. Freshman Marlee Sivak, a 5-11 outside, and junior Olivia Kwiatkowski, a 6-0 outside, have recorded 188 and 134 kills respectively with junior setter and 4-star Maryland recruit Lilly Wagner directing it all. Barrington IL (16) – At 33-1, Barrington announced itself as a 4A contender with its recent victory over then-ranked No. 17 Mother McAuley IL over the weekend. The upset helped Barrington return to the Top 50. Barrington fell out of the Top 50 after losing to unranked Huntley IL in September. Senior outside Jessica Horwath has been clutch this fall. She’s put up a team-leading 296 kills. She’s averaging 4.2 per set and is hitting .316 with junior setters Gwen Adler and Jenna Meitzler running the offense in a 6-2. Meitzler is also third in kills with 171. Brebeuf Jesuit IN (17) – Like many others around the country, the Braves are into their postseason after going 23-3 during the regular season. Two of the losses came against No. 9 Hamilton Southeastern IN and the other to No. 3 McCutcheon. The Braves have a victory over No. 20 Yorktown IN as well. Wisconsin commit and 5-star libero Lola Schumacher is a defensive stalwart. She’s paced the defense with 379 digs, averaging 5.1 per set. Senior outside Sydney Robinson has carried a sizable load on offense, leading the way with 296 kills. Yorktown IN (20) – Like the Braves above, Yorktown is into the sectional playoffs. In fact, at 31-2, one of the Tigers’ defeat came to Brebeuf back in August. Hamilton Southeastern is the only other school to top Yorktown so far this fall. The Tigers also own a victory over No. 3 McCutcheon. Helping power the charge has been 6-2 sophomore Charlotte Vinson, who leads the offense with 397 kills. Seniors Emilee Hill and Gretchen Moore have been effective as well scoring. Hill also leads the team in assists. Meanwhile, sophomore libero Addison Applegate has been exceptional in the back row averaging 4.0 digs per set and totaling 387 so far. *** Santa Fe FL (23) – The Raiders started their sectional playoffs Tuesday. At 23-2, Santa Fe fell from No. 8 last week to No. 23 after losing for just the second time. It came to Trinity Catholic, a school the Raiders defeated in their first match of the season. The only other team to beat Santa Fe this fall was No. 4 Cornerstone Christian at the Nike TOC Southeast tournament. Senior S/RS Jalyn Stout (Coastal Carolina) has done it all. She’s leading the squad in kills with 443 while hitting .419 and is second in aces at 293. Senior libero Miya Thomas leads the Raiders in both digs (361) and aces (41). Lafayette MO (24) – The Lancers started the season in the Top 50 but fell out after suffering a four-loss stretch. However, Lafayette has been on a hot upward trend after beating ranked opponents St. James Academy KS and Liberty North MO two weekends ago and ranked foes in Eureka MO and Liberty MO this most recent weekend. Maya Witherspoon – a 5-10, 4-star sophomore outside – has teamed with Caitlyn Little – a 5-10, 3-star senior outside – and Allison Risley – a 5-10, 3-star junior outside committed to Northern Kentucky – to provide a formidable attack. Junior setter Alyssa Nelson is averaging 8.4 assists per set. North Gwinnett GA (27) – The Bulldogs are 39-1 to date, with their only loss to Buford GA. Joya Screen – a 6-4 senior outside committed to Baylor – is having a tremendous season. She’s registered 426 kills, averaging 4.9 per set while hitting .362. Senior setter Abby Taylor is averaging 8.2 assists per set and senior libero Katherine Mollette is averaging 5.5 digs per set. Papillion-LaVista South NE (28) – The Titans wrap up district play this week before beginning their charge at the Class A state championship. At 27-5, four of the five losses have come to higher-ranked teams. The Titans have lost twice to Lincoln Southwest NE and once each to St. James Academy KS and top-ranked Cathedral Catholic CA. Junior outside Lauren Medeck (South Dakota) has been a spark plug, leading the

We’ve spent the past few weeks highlighting some of the top recruits in the country. There were posts about 5-star athletes from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 classes as well as 30 impact freshman who have been big-time contributors this fall. Below, we check in on 20 4-star recruits from the Class of 2025 to see how they’ve been doing for their respective teams. Lauren Hurst OH Cleveland TN – The Raiders are having a stellar campaign, posting a 44-5 mark with the 6-2 Hurst leading in kills. She’s put away 552 and is averaging 4.2 per set. She’s also currently the team leader in blocks and second in digs. Lily Davis OH Westlake TX – The 6-2 Davis and her Chaparrals teammates are currently 31-11. She’s put up a team-high 364 kills, averaging 4.1 per set. Davis is also averaging 3.5 digs per set. Ava Tilden OH Notre Dame Academy KY – It’s been a good season so far for the 24-5 Pandas. Tilden, a 6-1 pin, is among the kill leaders, currently second with 196. She’s averaging 2. 3per set. Sydney Bryant OH George Ranch TX – The 6-3 free-swinging Bryant is having a big year for the Longhorns. Her 488 kills are more than her next two closest teammates combined. She’s averaging 4.5 per set and is hitting .288. Logan Bell OH Roncali IN – The Royals have certainly leaned on Bell and her ability to deliver. The 5-10 outside is pacing the offense with 263 kills, averaging 3.1 per set. She’s also chipped in with 3.3 digs per set. Kenna Cogill MB Perry AZ – The 6-4 sophomore is third in both kills and swings. She’s put down 116 balls while hitting an impressive .459. Cogill leads the team in blocks with 68, averaging 1.1 per set. Francesca Popescu L Lambert GA – Popescu has been in control of the back row for the Longhorns. She’s scooped up a team-high 416 digs. That’s an average of 4.4 per set as Lambert sits at 32-7 overall. Charlotte Vinson OH Yorktown IN – The Tigers have been among the best teams in Indiana this fall, riding a 28-2 record to date. Vinson has been the leader in kills, registering 363 so far. She’s averaging 4.3 per set and is hitting .322. She’s also the team leader in aces with 56. Addison Applegate L Yorktown IN – The Tigers have benefitted greatly from another sophomore on the roster in Applegate. She’s been a defensive stalwart, recording 354 digs so far and averaging 4.1 per set. Ashlyn Paymal OH Burke NE – The Bulldogs have a good one in the 6-3 sophomore. Paymal is the leader in kills with 197. That’s an average of 2.9 per set. She’s also third in blocks and fourth in aces.   *** Lauren Lynch L Sierra Canyon CA – The Trailblazers are riding a 27-4 record as they prepare for sectional and state playoffs that are upcoming. Lynch has been a defensive anchor and given Sierra Canyon a reliable back row option. She’s put up a team-high 361 digs, averaging 3.9 per set. Madison Quest OH Divine Savior Holy Angels WI – Quest, a 6-3 outside, has been a handful for opponents as DSHA is 37-6. Her 417 winners leads the roster. She’s put down 4.2 kills per set and is hitting .321. Addison Gaido OH Georgetown TX – The 6-5 Gaido has established herself as the go-to hitter for the Eagles. She’s produced a team-leading 348 kills. She’s scoring at a rate of 3.4 per kills per set while hitting .327. She’s also currently tied for the team lead in blocks with 56. Maya Witherspoon OH Lafayette MO – The 5-11 outside has been a steady presence in the Lancers’ attack. She’s been among the kill leaders all year, averaging 2.9 per set. Izzy Mogridge S/RS Steinbrenner FL – The 5-11 Mogridge sets and hits for the Warriors. She’s currently second in kills and first in assists. She’s averaging 1.9 kills and 4.1 assists per set. Sydney Peterson OH Bryon Nelson TX – The Bobcat have relied heavily on a trio of hitters that include Peterson. The sophomore is currently second in kills, recording 362 while averaging 3.6 per set and hitting .259. Peterson is also second in both digs and aces. Riley McCloskey RS Notre Dame Academy KY – The 6-1 McCloskey has missed a bit of time but is still among the kill leaders for the Pandas this fall. She’s currently third in kills with 166 but is second in kills per set at 2.4. Callie Krueger L Cedar Park TX – The Timberwolves knew what they had in Krueger as she led the team in digs last year as a freshman. She’s back and starring in her defensive role once more, as she’s again leading the team in digs with 394. She’s averaging 3.6 per set and 10.1 per match. Kennedi Rogers RS/OH Ridge Point TX – The Panthers are having a strong year as they are 34-6 overall and remain undefeated in district play. Rogers is currently second in kills with 265. She’s averaging 2.6 per set and his hitting .280. Abigail Li S Walton GA – Li – a 6-0 setter – is in charge of the Raiders’ offense. She’s handed out 600 assists to date and is averaging 8.3 per set. She’s also second in aces.

This time next month we’ll be entering the final weekend of the high school season. How much will the rankings change or not in that span? We’re about to find out. There was some movement in the Top 10 this week. Marian MI – ranked No. 5 last week – lost for the first time this season. Santa Fe FL was another Top-10 team to fall last week. Remaining the same was Cathedral Catholic’s grip on the top spot. The Dons have this week left before entering sectional and presumably state playoffs. While there was movement elsewhere in the Top 50 there was little change overall in terms of teams going in and out. Only two teams joined this week, meaning two fell out. vballrecruiter.com TOP 50 1. Cathedral Catholic CA (1 – last week’s ranking) 2. Westminster Christian FL (2) 3. McCutcheon IN (3) 4. Cornerstone Christian TX (4) 5. Prestonwood Christian TX (6) 6. Mira Costa CA (4) 7. Oconomowoc WI (9) 8. Highland Park TX (10) 9. Hamilton Southeastern IN (11) 10. Washburn Rural KS (12) *** 11. Marian MI (5) 12. Cypress Ranch TX (13) 13. Marymount CA (14) 14. Aquinas KS (15) 15. Sierra Canyon CA (18) 16. Barrington IL (n/r) 17. Brebeuf Jesuit IN (20) 18. Fayetteville AR (21) 19. ‘Iolani HI (22) 20. Yorktown IN (23) *** 21. St. Francis/Mountain View CA (24) 22. Lincoln Southwest NE (18) 23. Santa Fe FL (8) 24. Lafayette MO (n/r) 25. Mother McAuley IL (17) 26. St. James Academy KS (25) 27. North Gwinnett GA (26) 28. Papillion-LaVista South NE (27) 29. Liberty MO (19) 30. Dike-New Hartford IO (30) *** 31. Plano West TX (31) 32. Ursuline Academy OH (32) 33. Valor Christian CO (33) 34. Reagan NC (35) 35. Palos Verdes CA (36) 36. Eureka MO (40) 37. Magnificat OH (38) 38. Punahou HI (37) 39. Corona del Sol AZ (29) 40. Redondo Union CA (39) *** 41. Mater Dei CA (41) 42. Assumption KY (28) 43. Millennium AZ (34) 44. Torrey Pines CA (42) 45. Liberty North MO (44) 46. Flint Hill VA (46) 47. Jesuit OR (48) 48. Archbishop Mitty CA (50) 49. Mountain View UT (45) 50. St. Ursula Academy OH (49) Out: Benet Academy IL; Horizon AZ In: Barrington IL; Lafayette MO *** HONORABLE MENTION Benet Academy IL Horizon AZ Liberty AZ Huntley IL Mercy McAuley OH Rock Bridge MO Hamilton AZ Mount Notre Dame OH Mercy MI Skyline MI Xavier IO Ankeny IO Lyons IL Notre Dame Academy KY Mercy KY Wayzata MN Lakeville North MN Northfield MN Marshall MN Skutt Catholic NE Pickens SC Dorman SC Cardinal Newman SC Nolensville TN Knoxville Catholic TN Cleveland TN Pope GA Buford GA Alpharetta GA Sequoyah GA Lake Catholic OH Rock Canyon CO Heritage CO Legend CO Chaparral CO Trinity Catholic FL Olathe Northwest KS Lincoln-Way East IL Vista Murrieta CA Harvard-Westlake CA Alemany CA Calvary Christian FL Tampa Prep FL Tompkins TX Bryon Nelson TX Bishop Watterson OH Ardrey Kell NC Millbrook NC Kamehameha HI Moanalua HI Jackson Academy MS Ponte Vedra FL Venice FL O’Connor AZ Divine Savior Holy Angels WI Appleton North WI Burlington WI Hamilton WI Timpview UT

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

If you’ve been wondering how the Class of 2025 5-star recruits have been performing this fall then wonder no longer. After checking in on the Classes of 2023 and 2024 5-star recruits we turn our attention to the sophomores. Below, we highlight how each of them are doing for their respective teams. Suli Davis OH Colleyville Heritage TX – The big-hitting outside leads the Panthers in kills. She’s put up 386 kills in 92 sets, averaging 4.2 per. She’s taken more swings combined than the second and third kill leaders on the team in seniors Ella Busey and Reagan Bleiler. As a team, the Panthers figure to be in the mix for the 5A state title. Liliana Brisco S Clark TX – The Cougars remain undefeated in district action. It included surviving a five-game slugfest with Johnson earlier this week. Brisco has missed time, playing in 78 of the 116 sets to date. She’s dished out 304 assists, second on the roster behind senior Trinity Gomez. Ryan Hunter RS Mallard Creek NC – This high-flying lefty dazzled during the club season when she flashed major Division 1 potential and not surprisingly has carried a big offensive load this fall for the Mavericks. She’s taken more swings than the next two kill leaders on the team as Hunter has ripped down 238 kills on 566 swings. She’s averaging 4.0 kill per set. Hunter is also the team’s ace leader (47) and second in digs (110). Logan Parks S/RS Blue Valley North KS – The Mustangs have faced a challenging schedule so far as they look to get into the 6A state playoffs and make noise. Parks has run a 6-2 with junior standout Janelle Green, a 4-star recruit committed to Cincinnati. She’s averaging 4.0 sets per frame. Parks also leads the Mustangs in kills, averaging 4.0 of those per set. Natalie Wardlow MB Lincoln Southeast NE – It’s been a challenging year so far for the Knights. As expected though, Wardlow has fared well. She’s leading the team in kills, averaging 2.4 per set, and blocks with .6 per set. Kelly Kinney OH King’s Academy FL – Kinney has missed more than half her team’s sets this year. Still, when she’s been in the lineup she’s produced at a high clip. She’s hitting .303 and averaging 5.3 kills per set. Mak Miller MB Liberty North MO – The Eagles are having a strong season, led by 5-star junior outside and Arizona commit Carlie Cisneros. Miller has factored in as well, as she is third in kills despite missing time this season. She’s averaging 1.8 per set. Amina N’diaye OH Lake Brantley FL – The Patriots have their share of pin hitters to take advantage of, including senior Sarah Gooch and junior Samantha Bowron. Then there’s the sophomore N’diaye as well. She’s third on the roster in kills, averaging 2.7 per set and hitting .273. Kassidy O’Brien SR Cinco Ranch TX – The 6-0 disher has been as good as expected. The Cougars are currently 22-12 overall as O’Brien has recorded 790 assists. That’s good for an average of 9.3 per set. Bayleigh Minor OH Fort Bend Christian TX – A 6-0, high-flying outside, Minor is having a spectacular season to date. She leads the Eagles in kills with 253. She’s averaging 3.1 per set but is hitting a remarkable .463! On top of that, she’s been the team’s most effective blocker, leading the Eagles as well with 58. *** Kirra Musgrove S/RS Lutheran South TX – The 6-2 two-way player is leaving her marks all over the court. Musgrove has been the team’s most impactful and consistent attacker. She’s leading the way with 349 kills, averaging 3.9 per set. She’s hitting .326. She’s also second in assists behind freshman Aniston Collins and second in digs behind junior libero Taylor Crain. Jordan Taylor MB Langham Creek TX – The 6-5 middle has been efficient so far though the Lobos have been very pin heavy in their attack. Taylor is third on the roster with 298 kills, averaging 2.8 per set while hitting .378. She’s also been a force at the net defensively, handing out 156 blocks so far, good for an average of 1.5 per set. Campbell Flynn S/OH Mercy MI – The 6-2 Flynn has played an instrumental role for the Marlins with her hitting and setting. She runs a 6-2 with senior setter Erin Kline, with Flynn dishing out 474 assists to date. As for hitting, Flynn leads the Marlins with 228 kills, averaging 3.0 per set while hitting .383. Charlotte Glass S Saint Andrew’s FL – The smooth setting Glass has been doing her thing for the Scots. She’s averaging 6.3 assists per set. She’s also second in kills, averaging 2.2 per set and leading the team with a .349 hitting percentage. Addison Tindall OH Homestead IN – No doubt the Spartans have been riding the arm of Tindall. The 6-2 outside has registered 329 kills thus far. She’s averaging 3.9 per set and is hitting .289. Tindall is also second in blocks. Navea Gauthier OH Shelby MI – Gauthier – a 6-2 high-flying outside – has taken more than half of her team’s total swings. She’s sent down 645 of them for winners and is hitting .330 while averaging 8.5 per set. Gauthier is also first in blocks and second in digs. Annabelle Groomes S/OH St. Joseph OH – The Jaguars have relied heavily on Groomes. The 6-0 sophomore leads the offense averaging 2.3 kills per set. She’s also part of a setting duo that includes junior Olivia Castelluccio and is averaging 3.7 assists per set.   Taylor Harvey MB Bountiful UT – Harvey and her Red Hawks teammates were undefeated until suffering their first loss of the season when they fell to Mountain View over the weekend. The 6-4 Harvey has been a key part of the attack, along with older sister and 5-star Stanford commit Jordyn Harvey. The younger Harvey has put down 196 kills,

The top teams continued their stranglehold in the Top 10, with Cathedral Catholic CA leading the way after beating both Skyview ID and Papillion-LaVista South NE over the weekend at the Geico Invitational. The one exception was with St. James Academy KS as the Thunder were taken down for the second time this season by Aquinas KS plus lost to Lafayette MO to tumble down the rankings. It allowed Highland Park TX to climb inside the Top 10 for the first time. Also continue to move up is St. Francis/Mountain View CA. The undefeated Lancers check in at a season-best 24 this week. In all, three new schools joined the Top 50 this week in Eureka MO, Horizon AZ and Jesuit OR. vballrecruiter.com TOP 50 1. Cathedral Catholic CA (1 – last week’s ranking) 2. Westminster Christian FL (2) 3. McCutcheon IN (3) 4. Cornerstone Christian TX (5) 5. Marian MI (7) 6. Prestonwood Christian TX (7) 7. Mira Costa CA (4) 8. Santa Fe FL (9) 9. Oconomowoc WI (10) 10. Highland Park TX (11) *** 11. Hamilton Southeastern IN (12) 12. Washburn Rural KS (14) 13. Cypress Ranch TX (15) 14. Marymount CA (16) 15. Aquinas KS (17) 16. Lincoln Southwest NE (18) 17. Mother McAuley IL (19) 18. Sierra Canyon CA (13) 19. Liberty MO (20) 20. Brebeuf Jesuit IN (21) *** 21. Fayetteville AR (22) 22. ‘Iolani HI (23) 23. Yorktown IN (24) 24. St. Francis/Mountain View CA (27) 25. St. James Academy KS (8) 26. North Gwinnett GA (28) 27. Papillion-LaVista South NE (26) 28. Assumption KY (30) 29. Corona del Sol AZ (31) 30. Dike-New Hartford IO (33) *** 31. Plano West TX (34) 32. Ursuline Academy OH (35) 33. Valor Christian CO (40) 34. Millennium AZ (43) 35. Reagan NC (46) 36. Palos Verdes CA (38) 37. Punahou HI (47) 38. Magnificat OH (39) 39. Redondo Union CA (41) 40. Eureka MO (n/r) *** 41. Mater Dei CA (42) 42. Torrey Pines CA (32) 43. Benet Academy IL (25) 44. Liberty North MO (29) 45. Mountain View UT (45) 46. Flint Hill VA (49) 47. Horizon AZ (n/r) 48. Jesuit OR (n/r) 49. St. Ursula Academy OH (44) 50. Archbishop Mitty CA (48) *** Out: Mercy MI; Skyline MI; Skutt Catholic NE In: Eureka MO; Horizon AZ; Jesuit OR HONORABLE MENTION Huntley IL Mercy McAuley OH Barrington IL Rock Bridge MO Hamilton AZ Mount Notre Dame OH Mercy MI Skyline MI Xavier IO Ankeny IO Lyons IL Notre Dame Academy KY Mercy KY Wayzata MN Lakeville North MN Northfield MN Marshall MN Skutt Catholic NE Pickens SC Dorman SC Cardinal Newman SC Nolensville TN Knoxville Catholic TN Cleveland TN Pope GA Buford GA Alpharetta GA Sequoyah GA Lake Catholic OH Rock Canyon CO Heritage CO Legend CO Chaparral CO Trinity Catholic FL Olathe Northwest KS Lincoln-Way East IL Vista Murrieta CA Harvard-Westlake CA Alemany CA Calvary Christian FL Tampa Prep FL Tompkins TX Bryon Nelson TX Bishop Watterson OH Ardrey Kell NC Millbrook NC Kamehameha HI Moanalua HI Jackson Academy MS Ponte Vedra FL Venice FL O’Connor AZ Divine Savior Holy Angels WI Appleton North WI Burlington WI Hamilton WI Timpview UT

Last month Kamehameha/Hawaii HI made its way to the mainland for the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas, where the Warriors finished a respectable 19th overall. The Warriors made another trip east and spent the past week in San Diego facing off against local schools before participating in the So Cal Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Alliant University. Capping off a great week, Kamehameha didn’t drop a set on its way to capturing the tournament title, which featured defeating Lake Stevens WA, 25-17, 25-13, in the final. Leading up to the two-day event, Kamehameha picked up victories over Eastlake, San Marcos and Sage Creek before sweeping its way to victory over the weekend. The semifinals featured three out-of-state teams. Joining Kamehameha and Lake Stevens was Coronado NV, which came in as the top seed after finishing 22nd overall at Durango. Del Norte was the fourth team in the semis, losing to the eventual champs. The tournament provided a stage for athletes to set it off. Below, we feature the players who drew our attention the most with our Show Stoppers. SHOW STOPPERS Sarah Schubert SR OH Kamehameha HI – Part of the reason the Warriors overcome their limited size is the play of Schubert. She’s a strong attacker who hits hard and puts pressure on defenses to make plays. Maela Honma JR OH Kamehameha HI – Honma is a solid six-rotation outside whose steadiness and consistency the Warriors rely on. She’s used both front and back row and does well with her placement. Leisey Kelii SR L Kamehameha HI – The Warriors defense can frustrate opponents with Kelii leading the charge in the back row. Her passing is on target and she does well extending rallies too. Mackenzie Parsons JR MB Poway CA – Parsons is a weapon in the middle. She has a big arm and is tough attacker to stop with her scoring prowess. Laura Eichert FR OH Lake Stevens WA – Eichert is one of the key components of the attack. She’s an aggressive hitter who challenges blocks and keeps coming at defenses. Hayli Tri SR MB Lake Stevens WA – The Vikings will get Tri involved when they can so defenses need to stay with her. She has a good arm and is a reliable option when in system. Isabella Christensen SR OH Lake Stevens WA – A lanky outside, Christensen is a handful for opponents. She has nice range and did well finding the open spaces on the court. Abigail Paulson JR RS Coronado NV – Paulson packs a punch. She’s a physical attacker with a strong arm. She’s one of the featured hitters and is someone the Cougars can go to in a tight spot.   Mia Arambula SR L Coronado NV – An energetic libero, Arambula is a scrapper. She showed consistent passing out of serve receive and defended with a fury. Jillian Neal SR OH Del Norte CA – A strong, hard-hitting outside Neal is the centerpiece of the Nighthawks’ offense. She hits a heavy ball and can overpower opponents at times. Nia Thompson SO OH Westview CA – Thompson is a six-rotation player who contributes on both sides of the ball. She’s a smart hitter who uses off speed shots well in addition to being a strong passer. Avery Banaag SR L Eastlake CA – Banaag brings a defensive spirit to the lineup. Her passing out of serve receive is on point and she makes her share of hustle plays as well. Ava Poinsett SO OH Francis Parker CA – The Lancers have a big-time scorer in Poinsett. She can make life rough on defenses with the multiple ways she can punish them with. Madison Triplett JR OH El Capitan CA – Triplett is an explosive hitter who though a bit undersized can crush it. Her ability to tool blocks or bang it down makes it difficult on defenses to slow her down. Madelyn Wutzke SO OH El Capitan CA – The 6-0 sophomore is the other half of a dangerous outside tandem. Her swing is smooth and she delivers with lots of pace. Savannah Simpson SO MB El Capitan CA – A 6-0 middle, Simpson is definitely an option and someone the Vaqueros will utilize when in system. She has a nice arm and can finish plays off. Kenna Cogill SO MB Perry AZ – At 6-4, Cogill is a disrupter in the middle for the Pumas. She hits for a high percentage and can really hurt teams with smaller middle blockers. Lily Cammack SR L Oviedo FL – Cammack held down the back row with her hustle and energy. She tracked down balls and gave her team another shot. Anna Cathcart SO OH Oviedo FL – Cathcart comes with plenty of upside. She’s a 6-2 outside who is capable of going over blocks and putting balls away. Paige Wisneski JR S Oviedo FL – Wisneski has nice hands and delivers a hittable ball. She was also moving the ball around well. Charlotte Nowak FR RS JSerra CA – Nowak may be an underclassman but she helps liven up the attack with what she brings to it. She’s a reliable target who is one of the team’s more consistent scorers. Reese Brown JR OH JSerra CA – The Lions have options and Brown is one of them. She does well adding to the attack with a variety of shots. Tatum Johnson JR MB JSerra CA – Johnson provides plenty of offense for the Lions. She has a good arm and can get after it so defenses must be ready when the Lions are in system. Maylynn Mitchell SO OH Santiago CA – Mitchell is a physical hitter who can makes defenders feel it when she catches one. She’s capable of carrying the offense at times and is a key piece of the attack for the Sharks. Marlee Arrington JR RS Ontario Christian CA – Arrington was one of the most explosive attackers in the field. She’s an athletic

Mira Costa CA closed out its tournament schedule by beating Bay League foe Redondo Union CA, 25-10, 25-19, in the championship match of the Redondo Molten Varsity Power Classic on Saturday. The Mustangs – who captured the title at the Ann Kang Invitational in August – added their second tournament title of the season. It comes on the heels of Mira Costa taking second place the previous weekend when it finished runner up to Cornerstone Christian TX at the Nike TOC Southwest tournament in Phoenix. Mira Costa didn’t drop a set either day in their latest endeavor, including sweeping Lakewood CA in Saturday’s semifinals. Redondo swept Torrey Pines CA in the other semis, avenging an earlier loss this season at the hands of the Falcons. Mira Costa and Redondo Union are set to face off again in league play this coming Thursday, the final match of the regular season before sectional play begins. Mira Costa prevailed in five games in the first league clash and can clinch the outright league title by beating Culver City on Monday. In addition to Mira Costa earning the title, the weekend also delivered its share of players starring for their teams. We highlight those who caught our attention the most with our Show Stoppers below. SHOW STOPPERS Charlie Fuerbringer JR S Mira Costa – The Mustangs’ leader was once more doing her thing. The 5-star Wisconsin recruit is among the top setters in the country for a reason. She directs the offense flawlessly. She also is a high-level defender and a heady scorer. Tanon Rosenthal SR RS Mira Costa – Rosenthal has a big showing in the final. When she’s on and scoring consistently she really opens up the attack and gives Mira Costa another reliable arm to count on. Taylor Deckert SO L Mira Costa – Deckert continued her strong season with another round of strong defensive play. She’s so steady and consistent and rarely misses a play in front of her. Drew Wright SR OH Mira Costa – After missing last Saturday’s action in Phoenix taking the SATs, Wright was back and doing what she’s done all season. She paces the attack and gives the Mustangs a go-to arm along with her steady passing and ball control. Fatimah Hall SR S Lakewood – Hall – a 3-star San Diego State commit – always turns heads of those watching her and causing comments to be made by fans surrounding the court. She does a phenomenal job of reversing flow and keeping defenders guessing as to who she’s going to dish it to, even if she’s not perfectly in system. Mele Corral-Blagojevich SR OH Redondo Union – A 4-star Oklahoma commit, Corral-Blagojevich comes at opponents with a big, strong arm and a heavy ball that’s hard to dig when she gets a hold of it. Ella Zimmerman JR MB Redondo Union – This 6-4 middle makes her presence known across the front row. She’s a scoring threat when in system and with her height can tip to the open court. She’s also an impactful blocker who does well getting in the way of attackers. Nikki Quinn SR S Torrey Pines – Quinn’s job was made more difficult with Torrey Pines missing kill leader Finley Krystkowiak but she did well trying to help keep her team in system and giving her hitters favorable match ups. Grace Flanagan SR MB Torrey Pines – Flanagan is someone defenses must take note of. When in system, Torrey Pines is going to get her the ball because she’s close to automatic when she gets up and has a good look.   Kiara Edwards JR RS Torrey Pines – Edwards showed off her potential. The springy right side gets up well and has a solid arm to boot. It lead to impressive kills at times as she did well contributing when called upon. Katerina Lutz SR L Torrey Pines – Lutz – a 3-star UCLA commit – was tough to score on. Hitters took turns ripping balls cross court only to watch Lutz scoop their shots up and keep the rallies alive as she held down the left back position with authority. Jordin Taulua SR OH Bishop Montgomery – An undersized outside hitter, Taulua was fun to watch. She’s an aggressive attacker who isn’t afraid of bigger blocks. She challenges them and lets it fly on the regular as the offensive leader. Zoe Morales SR L Bishop Montgomery – Bishop Montgomery knows how to scrap and claw and Morales brings that mindset to the libero position. She’s a hustler and did well extending rallies chasing down errant balls. Jada Stone SR S Oxnard – Stone brings a lot to the lineup at the setting position. At 6-1, she’s tall and can make an impact in the front row at the net. She’s also consistent with her location. Anika Huelskamp SR OH Oxnard – A huge part of the attack, Huelskamp carries a big load on offense. Even with opponents loading up and trying to stop her, she can still score for her team. Emma Fredrick SR OH Liberty – Fredrick is another outside who does heavy lifting on offense. She’s the focal point of the attack and the go-to hitter Liberty rides. Nikki Tawil SO S/OH Village Christian – Listed as a setter on the roster, Tawil spent time this past weekend hitting on the outside. She did set too, showing her versatility she brings to the lineup. Kennedy Osunsanmi JR OH West Ranch – At 6-4, Osunsanmi is an imposing figure at the net. She has huge upside with her length and ability to extend when attacking. Malia Thorne SR MB Newport Harbor – Thorne is undersized in the middle but she brings it! She can hammer balls when the opportunity present itself and she gives Newport Harbor a reliable scorer out of the middle. Anabel Kotzakov SR OH Newport Harbor – Kotzakov is a 6-2 uncommitted senior with a big arm. She’s a smart attacker who also