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Chris Tobolski

The Newest 5-Star Recruits

August 2, 2022

vballrecruiter.com recently updated its player rankings for Classes 2023-2026. You can find out who is on the list for their respective classes by clicking the links: 2023 2024 2025 2026 Below, we highlight those players whose ranking improved from 4 to 5-stars in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 classes. There are eight players featured from the class of 2025; five from 2024; and two from 2023. For the Class of 2026, there are nine players who are 5-star recruits in our initial release for that age group. Players are listed with their clubs from this past season, unless we know of changes already. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any updates. CLASS OF 2025 Lameen (Mimi) Mambu, OH/RS, Chantilly HS, (Paramount) – Mambu was the only member from the Class of 2025 to make the move from 3 to 5-stars. She has unbelievable potential with her 5-11 frame and already touching 10-6. Even if she doesn’t add to her jumping ability moving forward she’s already in an elite class and she is going to add power as well. The sky is the limit and she’s definitely one to keep tabs on as she moves through the age groups. Ryan Hunter, RS, Mallard Creek HS, (Carolina Juniors) – If you aren’t familiar with Hunter she’s a name you need to know and follow. She’s a 6-2 lefty who touches 10-5. She has limitless potential to star on the next level with her athletic abilities. It was a consensus decision moving her from 4 to 5-stars as she’s a rare talent. Campbell Flynn, S, Mercy HS, (Legacy) – The reality is Flynn could have started off as a 5-star recruit but after her performance during the club season where she flashed her undeniable potential she moved up from 4-stars. She’s a 6-1 setter with great hands, touch and the strength to make sets other in her age group aren’t capable of. With her height, she’s also an offensive setter in that you have to account for her dumping on the second touch. She’ll be a highly-sought after recruit come next summer. Kassidy O’Brien, S, Cinco Ranch HS, (Hou Skyline) – With O’Brien upgrading her ranking from 4 to 5-stars, she’s now one of eight setters in the Class of 2025 with a 5-star ranking. That’s a strong setting class overall and at 6-0 with her talent O’Brien fits in well. She locates consistently and sets a clean ball while rarely off her mark. She’s going to make a mark at the next level. Natalie Wardlow, MB, Lincoln Southeast HS, (Nebraska One) – A 6-4 middle, Wardlow was a standout at her position this past club season and has moved from 4 to 5-stars. She flashed remarkable upside and at times was the best player on the court. Her height and extension allow her to hit sharp angles as well as put up a big block. Kirra Musgrove, S/RS, Lutheran South Academy, (Hou Skyline) – There figures to be a few top-notch programs in the mix for Musgrove next summer. This 6-2 setter/right side was a key contributor for HJV 15 Elite this past club season and will suit up for Hou Skyline 17 Royal next year. Her length at the setting position is desirable and she’s a smooth disher. She can also attack well, bringing versatility to any lineup and is part of the reason why she moved from 4 to 5-stars. Addison Tindall, OH, Homestead HS, (Team Pineapple) – We had Tindall as a 4-star recruit but after watching her this club season and seeing her upside she was moved up to the top tier as a 5-star recruit. She’s a 6-2 outside who is long with a high contact point. She’s a threat wherever she is on the court. She’s only going to add strength and as she gets stronger she’s going to become more and more of a force moving forward. Navea Gauthier, OH, Shelby HS, (Far Out) – The final member of the Class of 2025 who moved up from 4 to 5-stars, Gauthier is a 6-1 outside with natural strength. She showcased a wide array of shots when watching her this season and with her powerful arm is always a threat whether front or back row. CLASS OF 2024 Ava Utterback, OH, Plainfield HS (Circle City) – One of the top outside hitters in the Class of 2024, Utterback’s ranking improved from 4 to 5 stars in our recent update. She’s a 6-0 high-flyer with the ability to take over matches with her offensive ability. She has a lively arm and with her jump can go over the top of blocks with ease. Hannah Benjamin, OH, Fideles Christian HS, (A5) – Benjamin was playing on an A5 2s team during her 15s year of club. Now, she’s rated as a 5-star recruit! That’s the level of improvement she’s showed in just two seasons. The 6-1 outside is an all-around contributor with her passing, defending and attacking skills. She has a bright future ahead of her and recently committed to Kentucky. Faith Frame, L/DS, Gretna HS, (Premier Nebraska) – Frame was one of three players to move up from a 3-star ranking to 5 stars after her recent club season playing for Premier Nebraska. This summer she committed to Cincinnati and should star for the Bearcats down the road. She’s a smooth backrow defender who doesn’t rattle and is capable of making highlight reel saves all over the court. Nayelis Cabello, S/RS, East Ridge HS, (Top Select) – Cabello was another member of the Class of 2024 who jumped from 3 to 5-stars after this past club season. A 6-0, two-way player, Cabello recently committed to Louisville. She’s a high-level setter with strong hands and consistent location who can also hit across the front row. It’s likely she’ll be running a 5-1 at the next level but could be part of a 6-2 if necessary. Emerson Sellman, OH, Holy Cross HS, (Metro) – This 6-4 outside hitter is oozing

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UA Next Camp Series: So Cal Stop Takes Center Stage (FREE)

July 31, 2022

The Under Armour Next Selection Camp on July 29 was the last stop of the season and was held at Tstreet volleyball club in Irvine. There were about 75 players in the gym and the electricity was tangible from the moment the girls started walking in. Like the previous camps, there was plenty of star-studded talent in the house. There were four MVPs handed out, as well as two Golden Tickets awarded to the UA All-America game in December in Orlando. The MVPs chosen were Kalyssa Blackshear (MB, 2025, Long Beach); Lola Schumacher (L, 2024, Munciana); Fatimah Hall (S, 2023, Long Beach, San Diego State); and Kendal Murphy (OH, 2023, AZ Rev, Baylor). The duo of the Golden Tickets were Jordyn Harvey (OH, 2023, Club V, Stanford) and Olivia Babcock (RS, 2023, Sunshine, Pitt). Beyond the MVPs and Golden Ticket winners the gym was overflowing with amazing talent and we want to spotlight other athletes who balled out as well. At the outside hitter position there were a bunch of heavy hitters on the courts. In addition to Kendal Murphy and Jordyn Harvey, here were others who shined: Alyssa Aguayo (2025, Aspire) Finley Krystkowiak (2026, Wave) Samarah DaCoud (2023, Seal Beach, New Mexico) Layli Ostovar (2026, Long Beach) Madison Gravlee (2023, High Tide, Florida) Fallyn Blotzer (2025, Wave) Reese Brown (2024, Tstreet) At the setting position there was impressive dishing going on all afternoon led by MVP Fatimah Hall. Other setters who shined included: Havannah Hoeft (2024, Rage Westside) Alexis Haury (2024, NPJ, Washington) Haiti Tautua’a (2023, Spike and Serve, Pitt) Kaia Mateo (2023, NYC Juniors, Iowa) Avery Jesewitz (2024, Northern Lights) The middle blocker position again was loaded with power and size. MVP Kalyssa Blackshear led the group while other middle blockers who ran the net included: Sidney Shaffer (2023, Tstreet, Bucknell) Lauryn Johnson (2024, NPJ, Arizona State) Speed, athleticism and all out defense repped the libero position, which was led by MVP Lola Schumacher. Other liberos who shined included: Koko Kirsch (2023, Wave, Stanford) Kayla Ostovar (2025, Long Beach) Lauren Lynch (2025, SG Elite) Luca Bredenberg (2024, Northern Lights) McKenna Garr (2025, Northern Lights) At right side, Olivia Babcock starred with other standouts including: Lois Hansen (2023, Tstreet, UCSB) Romani Thurman (2023, Elite, North Carolina) Auburn Tomkinson (2023, Wave, Texas)

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UA Next Camp Series: Middle Schoolers Light Up So Cal (FREE)

July 31, 2022

The Under Armour Next Middle School Camp Series in Southern California was jam packed with excitement and energy as the 2026-2029 classes came together from states such as California, Texas, Illinois, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Nevada. There were six MVPs awarded at the conclusion of the camp. Receiving the honors were Deondra Strong (L, 2026, Pipeline); Ammecy Ray (L, 2026, Naperville North); Aubrey Butterfield (S, 2027, Club One); Samantha Alyson Capinpin (S, 2026, Forza1); Nafanua Alofipo (S; 2027, Club V); and Ava McBride (OH/RS, 2026, Actyve). In addition, two players were awarded invites to next season’s UA Next High School Camp Series in Kendall Omoruyi (MB, 2027, Arizona Storm) and Addie Coady (MB, 2026, Tstreet). Beyond the athletes mentioned above we also want to shine a spotlight on other participants who played well during the camp session. At the setting position, we already mentioned Aubrey Butterfield, Samantha Alyson Capinpin and Nafanua Alofipo. Also starring and showing finesse and leadership were: Kaitlyn Herweg (2027, Long Beach) Simrin Adams (2027, Long Beach) Tristyn Ervin (2027, NPJ Seattle) At the libero position Deondra Strong and Ammecy Ray helped lead a scrappy and explosive group of athletes. Joining them in standing out were: Zoey Laulusa (2027, Long Beach) Savanah Rose Capinpin (2027, Forza1) At middle blocker, Kendall Omoruyi and Addie Coady made their presences known. Other middles who shined included: Julianna Godbey (2029, Madfrog) Ivy Logan (2026, BVA) At the outside hitter position rising stars included: Asia Udo-Ema (2026, Pipeline) Delaney Klunder (2027, Sunshine) Taylor Ralphs-Valerio (2026, Balboa Bay) Peyton Homer (2027, Raki) Kylie Parker (2026, SG Elite) Lucky Fasavalu (2027, Austin Skyline) Janiah Burrage (2028, Forza1) Halle Bryce (2027, LAVA West) At the right side position Ava McBride stood out. Other the notables were: Abby King (2027, Absolute) Ruby Candlish (2027, United) Bella Kompaniez (RS, United)

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Class of 2026: Introducing Player Rankings (FREE)

July 28, 2022

vballrecruiter.com has spent the week releasing its updated player rankings. Or in the case of the Class of 2026 below putting it out for the first time. Up first was the Class of 2023 and you can find it by clicking on the link. The same with the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025. The final release is the Class of 2026. It lists the players who appear in our initial rankings. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 15, No. 25 or No. 35, or No. 65, No. 75 or No. 85 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches and we’ve updated the ones we are aware of. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. Abby Zimmerman, RS, SCVC Aberdeen Callaway, OH, SG Elite Abigail Truong, S, Pohaku Addison Buckner, RS, AVC Cle Addison Coady, MB, Tstreet Addison Haberthy, S, Circle City Addyson Bianchini, S, NKYVC Alana Whitfield, OH, Illini Elite Alayna Austin, L/DS, Aspire Alayna Vaeth, S, Dynasty Alexa Telly, MB, Metro Alicia Beers, MB, MKE Sting Alivia Morgan, RS, Rev Amaya Love, OH, HJV Amira Bailey, MB, Tennessee Performance Ashlyn Cobb, OH, Tribe Asia Udo-Ema, OH, Pipeline Aubree Fernandez, L/DS, TAV Audrey Dyas, MB, NKYVC Audrey Flanagan, OH, SCVC Audrey Popp, OH, Drive Nation Ava Johnson, L/DS, Summit Ava McBride, S/RS, Actyve Avery Lim, S, Arizona Storm Avery MacMeccan, L/DS, Upward Stars Avery Stephens, L/DS, OTVA Ayanna Watson, OH, Vegas Aces Bennett Raterman, MB, HPSTL Blaire Bowers, OH, Madfrog Bre Morgan, MB, Boiler Jrs Bree Carson, MB, Balboa Bay Britni Silver, MB/OH, East Carolina Jrs Brooke Baldwin, S, MKE Sting Brooklyn Bailey, MB, Skyline Brooklyn Hardy, MB, ID Crush Cala Haffner, L/DS, Team Pineapple Cali Foster, OH, Boiler Jrs Callie Combs, OH/L/DS, NKYVC Cameron Owens, OH, KiVA Camille Perry, MB, Drive Nation Campbell Miles, L/DS, Union Cara Richter, OH, Elevation Caroline Banks, S, Northern Lights Caroline Huseman, OH, TAV Carolyn Tarnow, MB, Lions Cassandra Doll, OH, Balboa Bay Cassidy Bruns, L/DS, MKE Sting Catherine Beadles, S, SG Elite Catherine Palmi, OH, Game Point Cayenne Ceman, OH, Northeast Charlotte Nowak, OH, Tstreet Chyanne Robinson, OH, Vegas Aces D’Aira Whitner, MB, AVC Cle DaMya Mann, S, Alamo Danielle Whitmire, S/RS, TAV Dawn Moore, RS, Madfrog Delaney Singleton, OH, Arizona Storm Eleanor James, L/DS, K2 Elena Hoecke, MB, MN Select Elena Ruble, S, HPSTL Elizabeth Bower, L/DS, ID Crush Elizabeth Scanlon, OH, Dynasty Ella Andrews, MB, Legacy Ella Askin, OH, KiVA Ella Florez, S, Dynasty Ella Grimes, L/DS, Elevation Ella Jenkins, OH, Rev Elle Mottola, S, Winter Park Elli Strecker, MB, Team Indiana Ellie Chu, SG Elite, S Ellie Hepler, L/DS, Boiler Jrs Ellie Scharlow, OH, Union Emily Keiran, L/DS, KiVA Emma Adkins, S, Tri-State Elite Emma Cugino, L/DS, Mintonette Emma Frietch, L/DS, NKYVC Emmerson Champagne, MB, Tstreet Eva Long, S, Legacy Eva Swenson, S/RS, MN Select Evelyn Potter, OH, Flyers Finley Krystkowiak, OH, Wave Gabby Semona, MB, Tri-State Elite Gabi Rodriguez, L/DS, Madfrog Gabrielle Brodner, OH, Jupiter Elite Gabriella Divita, OH, Legacy Genevieve Harris, S, NC Academy Grace Jones, L/DS, Tri-State Elite Grace Portwood, OH, NKYVC Hailey Mueller, OH, Northeast Haley Burgdorf, OH, SPVB Haley Wilson, S, AVC Cle Halle Thompson, OH, Hou Skyline Hannah Lee, MB, Flyers Henley Anderson, OH, Austin Performance Isabel Taylor, OH, Club V Isabelle Hoppe, S, Pitt Elite Isabelle Masten, OH, Rev Izabella Cano, L/DS, McAllen Fierce Jaci Hall, RS, Alamo Jaidyn Hartsfield, S, Madfrog Jayden Hanson, S, Forza North Jayla Jackson, MB, TAV Jaylyn Tuiasosopo, OH, Alamo Jillian Bohannon, S, KiVA Jordan Turner, S, Skyline Jordin Southall, OH, Game Point Jordyn Gray, OH, Carolina Jrs Julia Solodky, L/DS, Austin Skyline Juliana Hernandez, L/DS, TAV Kaiya Kearney, OH, Arizona Storm Kalli Lipo, L/DS, Arizona Storm Karen Dutro, MB, Circle City Karis Chatfield, OH, Far Out Katherine Byergo, MB, HPSTL Kayla Nwabueze, MB, Legacy Kaylssa Taggart, S, A5 Keira Dommer, S, Summit Keely Harrington, S, Excel Kendall Bosse, MB, Tri-State Elite Kennedy Crayton, OH, Flyers Kennedy Simon, MB, TAV Keoni Williams, MB, Flyers Kinsley Young, MB, TAV Kirsten Kemper, S, NKYVC Kylie Kleckner, OH, TAV Kylie Parker, OH, SG Elite Lacy Tinnell, OH, Hou Skyline Lauren Ortwerth, OH, HPSTL Lauren Scheiden, L/DS, Drive Nation Layla Austin, OH, Skyline Layla Hoying, OH, Mintonette Layli Ostovar, OH/RS, Long Beach Leah Pike, MB, TVC Leah Stephens, L/DS, HPSTL Lexi Anderson, OH, TAV Lexi Kedvesh, L/DS, Rev Lexi Shondell, S, Boiler Jrs Lily Jones, OH, Circle City Lily Rolfes, S, Arizona Storm Lindley Miller, MB, Triangle Lindsay Miller, MB, Pohaku Lindsey Murphy, L/DS, AVC Cle Londyn Stone, OH, AVC Cle Lydia Stahley, OH, Team Indiana Mackinley Parrott, S, A5 Macy Funk, MB, A5 Madeleine Steele, MB, NKYVC Madeline Dettling, OH,

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Class of 2025: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 28, 2022

We started releasing our updated player rankings this week. The Class of 2023 was up first and you can find it by clicking on the link. The same with the Class of 2024. Up next is the Class of 2025, which you can find below. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 15, No. 25 or No. 35, or No. 65, No. 75 or No. 85 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Addison Gaido, RS, Austin Skyline Addison Makun, MB, KiVA Addison Tindall, OH, Team Pineapple   Alex Richter, OH, Skyline Ashlyn Paymal, RS, NE Elite Asia Harvey, OH, A5 Brianna Brewer, OH, Tstreet Campbell Flynn, S, Legacy Charlotte Vinson, RS, Munciana Francesca Popescu, L/DS, A5 Isabella Ocampo, OH, Skyline Julia Grace, L/DS, NKYVC Kassidy O’Brien, S, Hou Skyline Kirra Musgrove, S/RS, Houston Jrs Lauren Hurst, OH, K2 Kaci Demaria, OH, Surfside Kassidy O’Brien, S, Hou Skyline Kenna Cogill, MB, Arizona Storm   KK Green, S/RS, OT Meg Lameen Mambu, OH/RS, Paramount Logan Bell, OH, Circle City Maya Evens, L/DS, Wave Natalie Wardlow, MB, Nebraska One Navea Gauthier, OH, Far Out Naya Salfiti, RS, Madfrog Reagan Ennist, OH, NY Rebel Ryan Hunter, RS, Carolina Jrs Taylor Cook, S, Skyline *** PLAYERS ADDED TO THE RANKINGS Abby Jones, OH, Temecula Viper Amaiyah Long, RS, OTVA Amaria King, OH, Jax Skyline Ashley Repetti, OH, Seal Beach Ashlyn Tafoya, S, Rocky National Ava Poinsett, OH, Coast Ava Tilden, OH, NKYVC Bella Bullington, OH, SPVB BreAnna McMillan, S/RS, Triangle Brooke Hansen, S/RS, Forza North Callie Krueger, L/DS, Austin Skyline Cambria Gaier, OH, Far Out Cecilia Porter, MB, Over the Top Cecilia Vance, OH, ARVC Chalei Reid, OH, Mauloa Charlotte Kelly, MB, NorCal Connore Siler-Nixon, MB, OTVA Elena Fischer, OH, Absolute Ellie Hunt, RS, NorCal Fallyn Blotzer, OH, Wave Gabriella Babinski, RS, Mich Elite Gracie Brown, MB, 501 Hazel Alevok, MB, Wildfire Isabella Pereira, OH, OTVA Jannelize Perez, L/DS, OT Meg Jenness Orcutt, RS, Game Point Journey Peppers, MB, 501 Julia Waller, S, Absolute Kate Hayhurst, RS, ID Crush Kaylee Peper, MB, OTVA Keila Gabriel, RS, Wave Keira Schmidt, MB, Northern Lights Kiana Landers, MB, Arizona Storm Lily Dee Davis, OH, Austin Skyline Lily Hayes, L/DS, OTVA Lindsey Mangelson, OH, Munciana Indy Lucy Chertock, OH, NorCal Lydia Chinchar, OH, No Name Madison Hooper, OH, Ozark Jrs Mallory Reck, OH/RS, Legacy Maya Banks, RS, Forza North Molly Reck, OH/MB, Legacy Morgan Graves, OH, Rancho Valley Nora Smith, L/DS, Union Olivia Ip, RS, SG Elite Paige Thies, OH, NPJ Rebekah Pfefferkorn, MB, Hou Skyline Reese Wilburn, S, 501 Ryan Murphy, S/RS, JJVA Sophia Randall, S, Kairos Stella Dillon, RS, Coast Stella Norman, OH, Temecula Viper Sydney Dreves, OH, OJVA Taelyn Bentley, MB, NPJ Tammara Gooseberry, RS, 501 Tara Greenberry, MB, HPSTL Taylor Deckert, L/DS, SCVC Tekoa Barnes, OH, Tribe Tenesyn Frye, S, ID Crush Tia Traudt, OH, VCNebraska Tristen Raymond, S/RS, AZ Rev Victoria Hill, OH, Game Point Yuri Park, L/DS, Wave *** REMAINING PLAYERS LISTED IN RANKINGS Aaliyah Smith, OH, Houston Jrs Abbigail Pickard, S, Far Out Abby Vander Wal, OH, 1st Alliance Abigail Li, S, A5 Abigail Mullen, RS, Dynasty Ada Awagu, MB, SA Jrs Addison Applegate, L/DS, Munciana Addison Williams, RS, Legacy Addy Franz, S, Drive Nation Alana Asante, MB, Game Point Alexis Ewing, OH, VA Jrs Alison Bierwagen, S, Top Select Allison Barrick, OH, Elevation Allison Butrum, L/DS, Alamo Ally Hughes, S, Tri-State Elite Alyssa Aguayo, OH, Aspire Amelia Hansen, OH, Co Jrs Amelia Robinson, MB, Austin Skyline Amina N’diaye, OH, OTVA Anna Jelinek, OH, Nebraska One Anna Powell, OH, KiVA Annabelle Groomes, S, AVC Cle Aniya Hall, MB, Alamo Ashley Sess, MB, Tri-State Elite Aubrey Lyssy, S, SA Magic Audrey Asleson, S, SPVB Audrey Jackson, OH, TAV Ava Ball, OH, Northern Lights Ava Harris, S, Team Pineapple Ava Hunter, S, Munciana Ava Tindall, MB, Team Pineapple Ava Young, L/DS, 1st Alliance Avery Freeman, L/DS, Circle City Bailey Blair, MB, KiVA Bailey Warren, OH, Hou Skyline Bayleigh Minor, MB, Hou Skyline Bella Satterwhite, OH, West Florida Wave Billie Reiter, S, MKE Sting Blue Anderson, L/DS, Skyline Brianne

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Class of 2024: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 25, 2022

We are in the process of updating our player rankings at vballrecruiter.com. We led with our initial player rankings back when we launched in March. After starting with the Class of 2023, we are continuing below with the Class of 2024. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. The Class of 2024 below contains 28 5-star recruits. The Class of 2024 has roughly 70 4-star recruits, while there are approximately 300 3-star recruits. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 17, No. 27 or No. 37, or No. 67, No. 77 or No. 87 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Alexis Maesch, RS, Circle City Alice Volpe, L/DS, HJV Ava Utterback, OH, Circle City Bailey Higgins, RS, OTVA Blaykli Bobik, OH, AZ Storm Brooklyn Tealer, OH, Gainesville Jrs Chelsea Sutton, MB, OTVA Claire Luoma, L/DS, MKE Sting Cymarah Gordon, RS, Momentous Elizabeth Tabeling, L/DS, NKYVC Emerson Sellman, OH, Metro Erin Debiec, S, Metro Faith Frame, L/DS, Premier Nebraska Gracie Morrow, OH, Shockwave Hannah Benjamin, OH, A5 Isabel Clark, OH, Momentous Janelle Green, S, KC Power Jenna Hanes, MB, Wave Kennedy Washington, MB, TAV Kiarrah Horne, OH, Triangle Kiylah Presley, MB, Paramount Lauren Lambert, OH, Skyline London Wijay, OH, Supernova Madison Maxwell, S/RS, Legacy (CA) Mallory Bohl, MB, Legacy Mia Tvrdy, MB, Premier Nebraska Molly Kate Patten, RS, A5 Nayelis Cabello, S/RS, Top Select Paityn Chapman, OH, Co Jrs Riley Whitlock, RS, Boiler Jrs Samantha Bowron, OH, Top Select Sarah Brodner, RS, High Tide Taylor Parks, S, OTVA Taylor Williams, OH, Vision *** PLAYERS ADDED TO RANKINGS Alivia Skidmore, OH, NKYVC Anaya Thrower, MB, Absolute Ava Shankle, MB, Drive Nation Avery Baughman, L/DS, Madfrog Brianna Hamilton, OH, Arete Claire Morrissey, RS, Rockwood Thunder Elisabeth Levick, S, OJVA Eva Dittmar, OH, EliteVBTC Faith Young, MB, Tri-State Fallon Stewart, OH, OTVA Fallyn Blotzer, OH, Forza North Hailey Heytvelt, MB, OJVA Halie McGinest, RS, Long Beach Halle Reiter, L/DS, OJVA Haylee LaFontaine, OH, Seal Beach Hayley Ogden, MB, Coast Heidi Devers, L/DS, Dynasty Jadyn Wilgus, MB, AJV Julia Kakkis, S/RS, Momentous Kamaluhia Garcia, RS, Ku’Ikahi Kelsey Niesen, L/DS, Tri-State Kendall Beshear, OH, SCVC Kennedy Osunsanmi, RS, Legacy Lauryn Johnson, OH, NPJ Lilliana Montes, MB, Temecula Viper Logan Tusher, S, Absolute Mackenzie Wager, RS, Union Michael Torkaman, L/DS, Vision Munachiso Mmuo, MB, EC Power Natalie Depaula, S/RS, Tribe Nora Wurtz, RS, NE Elite Olivia Hasbrook, L/DS, Rockwood Thunder Payton Petersen, OH, Six Pack Preslie Yates, MB, Absolute Reese Ptacek, MB, Northern Lights Reis Baune, OH, Northern Lights Renee Jones, RS, Metro Ryla Jones, MB, Metro Sophia Mayo, OH, Circle City Sydney Waller, OH/RS, ECJ *** REMAINING PLAYERS RANKED Abby Hoybjerg, OH, SynergyForce Abby Yoder, S, NKYVC Addie Kanouff, RS, Co Jrs Addie Waller, S, Elevation (CO) Addison Collum, RS, Seal Beach Addison Engel, MB, Norco Addison Stephens, OH, Elevation (CO) Addisyn Pohl, MB, AZ Rev Addy Brus, OH, Tri-State Elite Adella Rodriguez, OH, TVC Aiva Titus, MB, Elevation (CO) Alaleh Tolliver, OH, Academy Alayna Smith, RS, Triangle Alex Rothe, OH/MB, Elite VBTC Alex Acevedo, OH, Idaho Crush Alex Bower, S, Idaho Crush Alexis Alexander, MB, Pohaku Alexis Haury, S, NPJ Alivia Keegan, S, Mission Alizabeth Jacobsen, MB, NE Elite Alleigh Dutton, L/DS, Circle City Allie Shondell, S, Boiler Jrs Allison Risley, OH, Rockwood Thunder Aly Kirkhoff, L/DS, Team Indiana Alysa Walker, OH, Alamo Alyssa Anderson, S, Club V Alyssa Forelli, S, AZ Rev Alyssa Nelson, S, Rockwood Thunder Amanda Mack, OH, K2 Amanda Saeger, S, Wave Aniya Warren, L/DS, SPVB Anna Bjork, MB, MKE Sting Anna Boatner, MB, TAV Anna Kate Carlisle, MB, Gainesville Jrs Anna Leasure, S, ECP Bucks Annah Legaspi, L/DS, Momentous Aowyn Schrader, OH, Premier Nebraska Ashby Daniel, MB, TAV Ashley Duckworth, OH, Vegas Aces Ashlyn Philpot, MB, Triangle Ashtyn Sims, OH, OTVA Asia Thigpen, OH, Triangle Aspen Maxwell, RS, HJV Aubrey Kirk, OH, Maverick Audrey Terry, S, TAV Houston Autumn Holmes, RS, K2 Ava Falduto, L/DS, New Wave Ava Kanj, MB, Maverick Ava Martin, S, Pohaku Ava Nakai, OH, Club V Ava Pratt, OH, Adversity Avery Anders, L/DS, AVC Cle Avery Jackson, OH, Madfrog Avery Jesewitz, OH, Northern Lights Avery Weslow, OH,

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Class of 2023: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 24, 2022

vballrecruiter.com launched in March with our initial player rankings. The time has come to update them, starting below with the Class of 2023. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. The Class of 2023 below contains 29 5-star recruits. The Class of 2023 has roughly 75 4-star recruits, while there are approximately 300 3-star recruits. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 18, No. 28 or No. 38, or No. 68, No. 78 or No. 88 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Players listed alphabetically by first name Allison Berent, L/DS, L2 Allison Cavanaugh, RS, OTVA Betsy Goodenow, RS, MAVS KC Brooke Bultema, MB, Elevation Cayla Payne, MB, Wave Gabriela Cornier, L/DS, A5 Grace Egan, OH, 1st Alliance Kamryn Lee-Caracci, MB, 1st Alliance Kate Simington, MB, MN Select Kate Thibault, L/DS, MN Select Kennedy Phelan, S, Ozark Juniors Kira Holland, OH, AVC Cle Lauryn Bowie, RS, Mintonette Mia Lee, MB, Club V Reagan Fox, OH, KC Power Safi Hampton, OH, Metro Samantha Hoppes, RS, Drive Nation Zeta Washington, MB, OTVA Zoe Rachow, S, Coast *** PLAYERS ADDED TO RANKINGS Players listed alphabetically by first name Alexandra Farquhar, RS, Absolute Annika Sokol, S/RS, Co Jrs Arleigh Hanson, S, Metro Audrey Ross, OH, NorCal Ava Marie Lange, OH/RS, Sunshine Avery Bolles, OH, MN Select Avery Jones, RS, Sunshine Avery Van Hook, S, Iowa Rockets Bianka Lulic, MB, Coast Brooklyn Briscoe, MB, Coast Brooklyn Fuchs, MB, Premier Nebraska Brooklyn Yelland, L/DS, Coast Brynn Covell, S, Academy Diamond Brynne McGhie, S, Dynasty Cameron Berger, S, Vital Carly Sciborski, RS, Academy Diamond Chloe Wilmot, S, Paramount Claire Mrukowski, RS, Elite VBTC Courtney O’Brien, OH, Hou Skyline Cristin Cline, S, CUVC Dior Charles, MB, Sunshine Drew Wright, L/DS/OH, Sunshine Ella Gaona, L/DS, HPSTL Ella Scott, L/DS, Tstreet Elle Patterson, OH, Rev Emily Fowler, OH, OTVA Emma Donley, OH, Rage Westside Gabby Dean, MB, Team Indiana Gabriella Placide, RS, Co Jrs Grace Albaugh, OH, OTVA Grace Thrower, OH, Sunshine Havannah Hoeft, S, Rage Westside Iyanna Garvin, MB, A5 Jahniya Jackson, OH, SynergyForce Jaya Johnson, MB, PVA Julia Kane, L/DS, Top Select Julia Waugh, OH, CUVC Kaia Mateo, S, NYC Juniors Kamryn Gibadlo, RS, AZ Storm Katerina Lutz, L/DS, Wave Kaylin Daniels, MB, HJV Kennedy Martin, RS, FC Elite Koko Kirsch, L/DS, Wave Kyanna Creecy, MB, Excel Madison Gravlee, OH, High Tide Makena Lim, L/DS, A4 Margo Kemp, MB, EC Power Mary Healy, RS, Absolute Melie Vaioleti, L/DS, Ku’Ikahi Morgan Burke, S/RS, NE Elite Nicole Feliciano, S/RS, Tstreet Nikki Quinn, S, Wave Paige Buzzerio, OH, A4 Remi Madison, OH, Mich Elite Romani Thurman, RS, Elite Ryleigh Patterson, MB/RS, Wave Shanelle Puetz, S, Wave Sophia Gregoire-Salagean, OH, OJVA Stella Adeymi, OH, Premier Nebraska Sydney Lewis, L/DS, OTVA Taylor McNear, L/DS, CHAVC Tehani Ulufatu, L/DS, Absolute *** REMAINING PLAYERS RANKED Players listed alphabetically by first name Addison Benson, OH, Legacy (CA) Alanna Bankston, OH, Premier Nebraska Alayna Pearson, L/DS, KC Power Alayna Tessena, OH, CVC Alessia Brown, MB, A4 Alexa Trapani, L/DS, Sunshine Alexandra Chandler, MB, SynergyForce Ali Wiest, OH, AZ Storm Aliyah Waldon, OH, No Name Allie Hazelwood, S, Infinity Alyssa Eimer, L/DS, SynergyForce Alyssa Gonzales, OH/RS, SynergyForce Alyssa Manitzas, L/DS, Alamo Amanda Otten, S, Team One Ameena Campbell, OH, Long Beach Amelia Nott, MB, Elevation Andi Jackson, RS, The Diff Aniya Madkin, OH, Infinity Ariana Brown, OH, Willowbrook Arianna Gonzalez, OH, UEPA Arissa Smith, MB, HJV Arya Jue, L/DS, A5 Ashley Evans, MB, Top Select Ashley Li, OH, Tstreet Ashley Mullen, S, Dynasty Ashlyn Reeves, MB, MAVS KC Aubriegh Oswald, MB, Far Out Auburn Tomkinson, RS, Wave Audrey Armbruster, S, Elevation Audrey Brown, OH, Legacy Audrey Clark, S, TAV Aureana Fisher, MB, Caroline Rogue Ava Blascziek, S, Northern Lights Ava Bogan, MB, 1st Alliance Ava Carney, OH, Pitt Elite Ava Hoying, OH, Mintonette Ava Leahy, MB, CUVC Ava Martindale, L/DS, TAV Houston Ava Norris, L/DS, KiVA Ava Roth, L/DS, Rockwood Thunder Ava Sarafa, S, Mich Elite Ava Schabes, S, 1st Alliance Ava Siefke, OH, NKYVC Ava Smith, OH, Circle City Ava Testrake, OH, KC Power Ava Wallis, S, Top Select Avah Armour, OH/RS, Co Jrs Avery Burks, OH, Aspire

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Final 14s Club National Rankings

July 23, 2022

We spent the week releasing our final Club National Rankings. Last in line is the 14s divisions, which you can find below. You can find the 18s, 17s, 16s and 15s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. MINTONETTE M.41 (6 – previous ranking) Going 10-1 overall, Mintonette captured the 14 Open gold medal at Junior Nationals after fedning off Flyers 14 Anthony in the championship match. Mintonette’s only loss came to Forza1 North 14 UA in the second round of pool play. That contest was one of seven consecutive three-setters for Mintonette, which went on to defeat NKYVC 14-1 Tsunami in the challenge round, Wave 14 Brennan in the quarters and Elevation 14 Molly in the semis, all in three as well, before sweeping Flyers. Mintonette beat Flyers in three sets in the first round of pool play as well and finish off the year going 26-11 against Open-qualified teams. Mintonette finished first at Northern Lights and fifth at both MEQ and Windy City, as well as Triple Crown. 2. FRISCO FLYERS 14 ANTHONY (5) Two of the three losses at Junior Nationals – where Flyers took home the silver medal in 14 Open – came to Mintonette. HPSTL 14 Royal was the only other team to top Flyers, coming in the first round of pool play. It was a tremendous year for Flyers, which took second at Lone Star, third at Salt Lake and fourth at Triple Crown. Flyers ends the season with a near identical record as Mintonette against the Open field at 26-12. 3. ELEVATION 14 MOLLY (9) Elevation capped its year with a bronze medal in 14 Open at Junior Nationals, falling to Mintonette in the semis. Elevation outlasted Austin Skyine 14 Royal in challenge play before scoring a big victory over TAV 14 Black in the quarterfinals. The only other loss in Indy came to SG Elite 14 Rosh in the first round of pool play. Elevation finished first at Big South and fourth at MEQ, as well as taking sixth at Triple Crown. Elevation went 24-15 against Open competition. 4. TAV 14 BLACK (3) It was TAV which ended the hopes of Boiler Jrs 14 Gold of ‘doubling up’ when the North Texas Region club took down the 14 Open AAU champion in the challenge round at Junior Nationals. TAV then was stopped in the quarterfinals by Elevation and finished tied for fifth in Indy. TAV ended first at NEQ, fifth at MEQ and 11th at Lone Star. TAV wraps up with a 21-12 mark versus Open teams. 5. BOILER JRS 14 GOLD (8) Though Boiler Jrs wasn’t able to advance to the gold bracket at Junior Nationals, the Hoosier Region club turned in one of the best seasons. Boiler Jrs captured gold in 14 Open at AAU and lost just twice in Indy, to TAV in the challenge round and to Flyers in the second round of pool play. Other results on the season include winning Windy City, taking second at NEQ and third at MEQ. Boiler Jrs also won Bluegrass and the JVA SummerFest and finished 15th at Triple Crown. Boiler Jrs compiled a 30-11 record when facing Open teams, the second-most victories of any team. 6. WAVE 14 BRENNAN (4) A loss to Mintonette in the quarterfinals kept Wave from medaling at Junior Nationals. The only other loss in Indy came to Alamo 14 Premier in the first round of pool pool as Wave finished tied for fifth overall. It was a remarkable season for the So Cal club, which finished first at the Red Rock Rave and fourth at Salt Lake City, as well as second at Triple Crown and winning the JVA West Coast Cup. All that led Wave to a 34-11 mark against Open competition, the most victories of any team against such opponents. 7. SG ELITE 14 ROSH (20) There are always surprises at Junior Nationals and SG was one of the biggest. The So Cal club upset Madfrog 14 Green in the quarterfinals before falling to Flyers in the semis to secure a bronze medal. SG Elite also took out Forza1 North 14 UA in challenge play and together it elevated SG Elite 13 spots in our final rankings. SG Elite – which finished 14th at Triple Crown – took second at the Red Rock Rave and third at PNQ. Its record against Open teams stands at 16-18, with five of those losses coming against Wave. 8. MADFROG 14 GREEN (1) It was a tough ending to an incredible season as Madfrog finished tied for fifth at Junior Nationals. Madfrog came to Indy having lost just once – to Elevation –

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Final 15s Club National Rankings

July 22, 2022

The final National Rankings release party continues on with the 15s divisions below. You can find the 18s, 17s and 16s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. ALAMO 15 PREMIER (19 – previous ranking) Alamo is the perfect example of the beauty that is Junior Nationals. The only at-large team in the field, Alamo stormed its way to the 15 Open gold medal. Alamo showed flashes during the season. One instance was taking fifth at the Salt Lake City qualifier. Alamo also finished seventh at the Sunshine Classic, but came in 11th at the Lone Star Classic and 17th at Triple Crown. While Alamo was most assuredly deserving of the lone at-large, there was hardly a case to be made for Alamo winning it all. The Lone Star Region club came into the tourney with a 9-14 mark against the Open field then reeled off nine victories to finish on top, including beating Arizona Storm 15 Thunder in the championship match. Alamo ends the year with a 18-17 mark against Open teams. 2. ARIZONA STORM 15 THUNDER (1) There’s no doubt Storm was the best, most consistent team throughout the club season. However, Storm’s only loss at Junior Nationals happened to come in the championship match to Alamo. Storm’s year included a ninth-place finish at Triple Crown and winning both the Salt Lake City and Red Rock Rave qualifiers, as well as the JVA West Coast Cup. Storm lost just four matches to teams in its age group – Dynasty 15 Black, Aspire 15 Premier, Seal Beach 15 Black and Alamo. It finishes the season with a 30-2 record against Open opponents. 3. TAV 15 BLACK (3) TAV is well deserving of a Top 5 ranking after the season it turned in. The North Texas Region club wrapped up an incredible year with a bronze medal at Junior Nationals after falling to Storm in the semis. It capped a year in which TAV never finished lower than fifth place, which came at the Lone Star Classic. TAV finished first at NEQ and third at Red Rock and finishes with an impressive 28-7 clip against Open-qualified clubs. 4. DRIVE NATION 15 RED (21) With its remarkable run at Junior Nationals, Drive Nation makes a huge leap in our final rankings and climbs inside the Top 5 after taking home the bronze medal in Indy. Drive Nation upset Hou Skyline 15 Royal in the quarterfinals before falling to Alamo. Along with Alamo winning gold, it was one of the most surprising results in 15 Open. Drive Nation entered JNs with a 5-14 mark against the Open field but reminded everyone that it’s not how many but when the victories come that matters most. Drive Nation finishes the season with an 11-19 mark against Open teams, but most importantly it earned itself hardware. 5. HOU SKYLINE 15 ROYAL (2) For Hou Skyline it was simply a case of losing at the wrong time as the Lone Star Region club was upended by Drive Nation in the quarterfinals and settled for a fifth-place finish at Junior Nationals. Regardless, it was an incredible year for Hou Skyline, which never finished lower than fifth place. It included coming in first at both the Northern Lights and Sunshine qualifiers, as well as a third at Lone Star and fifth at Triple Crown. Hou Skyline ends with a hefty 20-6 record against Open teams. 6. 1ST ALLIANCE 15 BLACK (6) Another club which showed tremendous consistency all season, 1st Alliance was in position to medal at Junior Nationals but came in fifth after falling to Alamo in the quarterfinals. Among the results this past spring for 1st Alliance include winning Triple Crown, taking second at MEQ, third at Windy City and fifth at Sunshine. 1st Alliance finishes with a great 20-8 mark playing Open opponents. 7. LEGACY 15 ADIDAS (8) The AAU 15 Open champions had its medal hopes dashed at Junior Nationals after losing to TAV in the challenge round. Overall, Legacy turned in a strong year, coming in third at Triple Crown, second at the Sunshine Classic and fourth at MEQ, as well as winning the JVA SummerFest. Legacy went 22-13 against Open teams. 8. OT 15 RANDY (7) OT Randy finished with a silver medal in 15 Open at AAU before heading to Junior Nationals, where it came in fifth after going down to Arizona Storm in the quarterfinals. This is another club that was steady and consistent throughout the season, never finishing lower than fifth. It featured winning the Big South qualifier, as well as taking second at Triple Crown, third at Sunshine and fifth at MEQ. On the

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Final 16s Club National Rankings

July 21, 2022

Our final Club National Rankings release continues on with the 16s division. You can find the 18s and 17s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. MADFROG 16 GREEN (22 – previous ranking) Madfrog put together an unbelievable run in winning the 16 Open gold medal at Junior Nationals. There was no way to predict Madfrog could pull off the unexpected the way the North Texas Region club did. Madfrog had a good but not great season heading into Indy. There was a 13th-place finish at Triple Crown followed by coming in 11th at the Salt Lake City qualifier. Madfrog then qualified by taking third at PNQ and finished off with a fifth at the Lone Star Classic qualifier. We had Madfrog ranked No. 22 heading into JN’s. Madfrog actually lost two of its first three outings in Indy, falling to MKE Sting 16 Gold and NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami with a victory over SG Elite 16 Rosh in between. But after the loss to NKYVC, Madfrog reeled off eight consecutive victories, including beating A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe in the second round of pool play and again in the gold medal match. Madfrog also topped AJV 16 Adidas in challenge play and then 1st Alliance 16 Gold in the quarterfinals and Premier Nebraska 16 Gold in the semis. Madfrog entered JN’s with seven victories against Open teams and surpassed that number with eight wins in Indy. Madfrog ends the season 15-12 against Open foes. 2. A5 MIZUNO 16 GABE (3) It was a tough ending to a remarkable year as A5 fell one victory short of pulling off the double. Few teams had the overall consistent A5 displayed. The team never finished lower than fifth place, where it placed at Triple Crown. A5 ended first at Central Zone and Bluegrass, as well as winning the Sunshine Classic qualifier. A5 also earned second at Northern Lights and third at Big South. A5 went undefeated in winning 16 Open at AAU and then brought home the silver medal in 16 Open at Indy. It lost three times in Indy, twice to Madfrog and once to KC Power 16-1, which came in the last match of the first round of pool play after A5 already had the pool clinched. A5 earned a big victory over TAV 16 Black in challenge play and then topped original No. 1 seed Dynasty 16 Black in the semis. A5 posted a 27-7 mark against Open-qualified teams, as well as beating Munciana 16 Moana twice and Tri-State Elite 16 Blue once. 3. DYNASTY 16 BLACK (1) If Junior Nationals carried equal weight as every other tournament this season, Dynasty would be the top team in the nation in our final rankings. No team put up better results heading into Indy than Dynasty. It included winning Triple Crown, MEQ, Windy City and Northern Lights, as well as taking third at Show Me and earning the bronze medal at JN’s. Dynasty started slow in Indy, losing two of its first three matches to OT 16 Roberto and TAV. It was surprising given Dynasty only lost two matches coming into the tourney – to TAV and NKYVC. Dynasty earned the bronze by beating NKYVC in the quarters before falling to A5 in the semis. Dynasty finishes 26-5 against Open opponents. 4. NKYVC 16-1 TSUNAMI (2) NKYVC was remarkably steady and consistent all season and showed strong at Junior Nationals, losing only to Dynasty in the quarterfinals. NKYVC’s showing at Indy included beating eventual champion Madfrog in pool play. NKYVC didn’t finish lower than fifth at any event. NKYVC won Central Zone, took seconds at Show Me, Triple Crown and the JVA SummerFest, thirds at Bluegrass and NEQ and tied for fifth at MEQ. NKYVC went 21-8 against Open competition. 5. 1ST ALLIANCE 16 GOLD (7) It was not surprising to see 1st Alliance tie for fifth place at Junior Nationals. Not after the season put together by the Great Lakes Region club. 1st Alliance lost to Metro 16 Travel in the first round of pool play and to MKE Sting 16 Gold in the second round of pool play, but defeated Seal Beach 16 Black in challenge play, as well picking up victories over Coast 16-1 and Co Jrs 16 Sherri. After coming in 29th at Triple Crown, 1st Alliance went on a tear and didn’t finish lower than second place until JN’s. It featured runner-ups at Sunshine, Windy City and MEQ. 1st Alliance finishes 16-14 against Open opponents. 6. PREMIER NEBRASKA 16 GOLD (18) Premier Nebraska makes a huge leap into the Top 10 in our final national rankings, moving up 12 spots from No. 18. Perhaps

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The Newest 5-Star Recruits

August 2, 2022

vballrecruiter.com recently updated its player rankings for Classes 2023-2026. You can find out who is on the list for their respective classes by clicking the links: 2023 2024 2025 2026 Below, we highlight those players whose ranking improved from 4 to 5-stars in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 classes. There are eight players featured from the class of 2025; five from 2024; and two from 2023. For the Class of 2026, there are nine players who are 5-star recruits in our initial release for that age group. Players are listed with their clubs from this past season, unless we know of changes already. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any updates. CLASS OF 2025 Lameen (Mimi) Mambu, OH/RS, Chantilly HS, (Paramount) – Mambu was the only member from the Class of 2025 to make the move from 3 to 5-stars. She has unbelievable potential with her 5-11 frame and already touching 10-6. Even if she doesn’t add to her jumping ability moving forward she’s already in an elite class and she is going to add power as well. The sky is the limit and she’s definitely one to keep tabs on as she moves through the age groups. Ryan Hunter, RS, Mallard Creek HS, (Carolina Juniors) – If you aren’t familiar with Hunter she’s a name you need to know and follow. She’s a 6-2 lefty who touches 10-5. She has limitless potential to star on the next level with her athletic abilities. It was a consensus decision moving her from 4 to 5-stars as she’s a rare talent. Campbell Flynn, S, Mercy HS, (Legacy) – The reality is Flynn could have started off as a 5-star recruit but after her performance during the club season where she flashed her undeniable potential she moved up from 4-stars. She’s a 6-1 setter with great hands, touch and the strength to make sets other in her age group aren’t capable of. With her height, she’s also an offensive setter in that you have to account for her dumping on the second touch. She’ll be a highly-sought after recruit come next summer. Kassidy O’Brien, S, Cinco Ranch HS, (Hou Skyline) – With O’Brien upgrading her ranking from 4 to 5-stars, she’s now one of eight setters in the Class of 2025 with a 5-star ranking. That’s a strong setting class overall and at 6-0 with her talent O’Brien fits in well. She locates consistently and sets a clean ball while rarely off her mark. She’s going to make a mark at the next level. Natalie Wardlow, MB, Lincoln Southeast HS, (Nebraska One) – A 6-4 middle, Wardlow was a standout at her position this past club season and has moved from 4 to 5-stars. She flashed remarkable upside and at times was the best player on the court. Her height and extension allow her to hit sharp angles as well as put up a big block. Kirra Musgrove, S/RS, Lutheran South Academy, (Hou Skyline) – There figures to be a few top-notch programs in the mix for Musgrove next summer. This 6-2 setter/right side was a key contributor for HJV 15 Elite this past club season and will suit up for Hou Skyline 17 Royal next year. Her length at the setting position is desirable and she’s a smooth disher. She can also attack well, bringing versatility to any lineup and is part of the reason why she moved from 4 to 5-stars. Addison Tindall, OH, Homestead HS, (Team Pineapple) – We had Tindall as a 4-star recruit but after watching her this club season and seeing her upside she was moved up to the top tier as a 5-star recruit. She’s a 6-2 outside who is long with a high contact point. She’s a threat wherever she is on the court. She’s only going to add strength and as she gets stronger she’s going to become more and more of a force moving forward. Navea Gauthier, OH, Shelby HS, (Far Out) – The final member of the Class of 2025 who moved up from 4 to 5-stars, Gauthier is a 6-1 outside with natural strength. She showcased a wide array of shots when watching her this season and with her powerful arm is always a threat whether front or back row. CLASS OF 2024 Ava Utterback, OH, Plainfield HS (Circle City) – One of the top outside hitters in the Class of 2024, Utterback’s ranking improved from 4 to 5 stars in our recent update. She’s a 6-0 high-flyer with the ability to take over matches with her offensive ability. She has a lively arm and with her jump can go over the top of blocks with ease. Hannah Benjamin, OH, Fideles Christian HS, (A5) – Benjamin was playing on an A5 2s team during her 15s year of club. Now, she’s rated as a 5-star recruit! That’s the level of improvement she’s showed in just two seasons. The 6-1 outside is an all-around contributor with her passing, defending and attacking skills. She has a bright future ahead of her and recently committed to Kentucky. Faith Frame, L/DS, Gretna HS, (Premier Nebraska) – Frame was one of three players to move up from a 3-star ranking to 5 stars after her recent club season playing for Premier Nebraska. This summer she committed to Cincinnati and should star for the Bearcats down the road. She’s a smooth backrow defender who doesn’t rattle and is capable of making highlight reel saves all over the court. Nayelis Cabello, S/RS, East Ridge HS, (Top Select) – Cabello was another member of the Class of 2024 who jumped from 3 to 5-stars after this past club season. A 6-0, two-way player, Cabello recently committed to Louisville. She’s a high-level setter with strong hands and consistent location who can also hit across the front row. It’s likely she’ll be running a 5-1 at the next level but could be part of a 6-2 if necessary. Emerson Sellman, OH, Holy Cross HS, (Metro) – This 6-4 outside hitter is oozing

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UA Next Camp Series: So Cal Stop Takes Center Stage (FREE)

July 31, 2022

The Under Armour Next Selection Camp on July 29 was the last stop of the season and was held at Tstreet volleyball club in Irvine. There were about 75 players in the gym and the electricity was tangible from the moment the girls started walking in. Like the previous camps, there was plenty of star-studded talent in the house. There were four MVPs handed out, as well as two Golden Tickets awarded to the UA All-America game in December in Orlando. The MVPs chosen were Kalyssa Blackshear (MB, 2025, Long Beach); Lola Schumacher (L, 2024, Munciana); Fatimah Hall (S, 2023, Long Beach, San Diego State); and Kendal Murphy (OH, 2023, AZ Rev, Baylor). The duo of the Golden Tickets were Jordyn Harvey (OH, 2023, Club V, Stanford) and Olivia Babcock (RS, 2023, Sunshine, Pitt). Beyond the MVPs and Golden Ticket winners the gym was overflowing with amazing talent and we want to spotlight other athletes who balled out as well. At the outside hitter position there were a bunch of heavy hitters on the courts. In addition to Kendal Murphy and Jordyn Harvey, here were others who shined: Alyssa Aguayo (2025, Aspire) Finley Krystkowiak (2026, Wave) Samarah DaCoud (2023, Seal Beach, New Mexico) Layli Ostovar (2026, Long Beach) Madison Gravlee (2023, High Tide, Florida) Fallyn Blotzer (2025, Wave) Reese Brown (2024, Tstreet) At the setting position there was impressive dishing going on all afternoon led by MVP Fatimah Hall. Other setters who shined included: Havannah Hoeft (2024, Rage Westside) Alexis Haury (2024, NPJ, Washington) Haiti Tautua’a (2023, Spike and Serve, Pitt) Kaia Mateo (2023, NYC Juniors, Iowa) Avery Jesewitz (2024, Northern Lights) The middle blocker position again was loaded with power and size. MVP Kalyssa Blackshear led the group while other middle blockers who ran the net included: Sidney Shaffer (2023, Tstreet, Bucknell) Lauryn Johnson (2024, NPJ, Arizona State) Speed, athleticism and all out defense repped the libero position, which was led by MVP Lola Schumacher. Other liberos who shined included: Koko Kirsch (2023, Wave, Stanford) Kayla Ostovar (2025, Long Beach) Lauren Lynch (2025, SG Elite) Luca Bredenberg (2024, Northern Lights) McKenna Garr (2025, Northern Lights) At right side, Olivia Babcock starred with other standouts including: Lois Hansen (2023, Tstreet, UCSB) Romani Thurman (2023, Elite, North Carolina) Auburn Tomkinson (2023, Wave, Texas)

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UA Next Camp Series: Middle Schoolers Light Up So Cal (FREE)

July 31, 2022

The Under Armour Next Middle School Camp Series in Southern California was jam packed with excitement and energy as the 2026-2029 classes came together from states such as California, Texas, Illinois, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Nevada. There were six MVPs awarded at the conclusion of the camp. Receiving the honors were Deondra Strong (L, 2026, Pipeline); Ammecy Ray (L, 2026, Naperville North); Aubrey Butterfield (S, 2027, Club One); Samantha Alyson Capinpin (S, 2026, Forza1); Nafanua Alofipo (S; 2027, Club V); and Ava McBride (OH/RS, 2026, Actyve). In addition, two players were awarded invites to next season’s UA Next High School Camp Series in Kendall Omoruyi (MB, 2027, Arizona Storm) and Addie Coady (MB, 2026, Tstreet). Beyond the athletes mentioned above we also want to shine a spotlight on other participants who played well during the camp session. At the setting position, we already mentioned Aubrey Butterfield, Samantha Alyson Capinpin and Nafanua Alofipo. Also starring and showing finesse and leadership were: Kaitlyn Herweg (2027, Long Beach) Simrin Adams (2027, Long Beach) Tristyn Ervin (2027, NPJ Seattle) At the libero position Deondra Strong and Ammecy Ray helped lead a scrappy and explosive group of athletes. Joining them in standing out were: Zoey Laulusa (2027, Long Beach) Savanah Rose Capinpin (2027, Forza1) At middle blocker, Kendall Omoruyi and Addie Coady made their presences known. Other middles who shined included: Julianna Godbey (2029, Madfrog) Ivy Logan (2026, BVA) At the outside hitter position rising stars included: Asia Udo-Ema (2026, Pipeline) Delaney Klunder (2027, Sunshine) Taylor Ralphs-Valerio (2026, Balboa Bay) Peyton Homer (2027, Raki) Kylie Parker (2026, SG Elite) Lucky Fasavalu (2027, Austin Skyline) Janiah Burrage (2028, Forza1) Halle Bryce (2027, LAVA West) At the right side position Ava McBride stood out. Other the notables were: Abby King (2027, Absolute) Ruby Candlish (2027, United) Bella Kompaniez (RS, United)

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Class of 2026: Introducing Player Rankings (FREE)

July 28, 2022

vballrecruiter.com has spent the week releasing its updated player rankings. Or in the case of the Class of 2026 below putting it out for the first time. Up first was the Class of 2023 and you can find it by clicking on the link. The same with the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025. The final release is the Class of 2026. It lists the players who appear in our initial rankings. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 15, No. 25 or No. 35, or No. 65, No. 75 or No. 85 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches and we’ve updated the ones we are aware of. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. Abby Zimmerman, RS, SCVC Aberdeen Callaway, OH, SG Elite Abigail Truong, S, Pohaku Addison Buckner, RS, AVC Cle Addison Coady, MB, Tstreet Addison Haberthy, S, Circle City Addyson Bianchini, S, NKYVC Alana Whitfield, OH, Illini Elite Alayna Austin, L/DS, Aspire Alayna Vaeth, S, Dynasty Alexa Telly, MB, Metro Alicia Beers, MB, MKE Sting Alivia Morgan, RS, Rev Amaya Love, OH, HJV Amira Bailey, MB, Tennessee Performance Ashlyn Cobb, OH, Tribe Asia Udo-Ema, OH, Pipeline Aubree Fernandez, L/DS, TAV Audrey Dyas, MB, NKYVC Audrey Flanagan, OH, SCVC Audrey Popp, OH, Drive Nation Ava Johnson, L/DS, Summit Ava McBride, S/RS, Actyve Avery Lim, S, Arizona Storm Avery MacMeccan, L/DS, Upward Stars Avery Stephens, L/DS, OTVA Ayanna Watson, OH, Vegas Aces Bennett Raterman, MB, HPSTL Blaire Bowers, OH, Madfrog Bre Morgan, MB, Boiler Jrs Bree Carson, MB, Balboa Bay Britni Silver, MB/OH, East Carolina Jrs Brooke Baldwin, S, MKE Sting Brooklyn Bailey, MB, Skyline Brooklyn Hardy, MB, ID Crush Cala Haffner, L/DS, Team Pineapple Cali Foster, OH, Boiler Jrs Callie Combs, OH/L/DS, NKYVC Cameron Owens, OH, KiVA Camille Perry, MB, Drive Nation Campbell Miles, L/DS, Union Cara Richter, OH, Elevation Caroline Banks, S, Northern Lights Caroline Huseman, OH, TAV Carolyn Tarnow, MB, Lions Cassandra Doll, OH, Balboa Bay Cassidy Bruns, L/DS, MKE Sting Catherine Beadles, S, SG Elite Catherine Palmi, OH, Game Point Cayenne Ceman, OH, Northeast Charlotte Nowak, OH, Tstreet Chyanne Robinson, OH, Vegas Aces D’Aira Whitner, MB, AVC Cle DaMya Mann, S, Alamo Danielle Whitmire, S/RS, TAV Dawn Moore, RS, Madfrog Delaney Singleton, OH, Arizona Storm Eleanor James, L/DS, K2 Elena Hoecke, MB, MN Select Elena Ruble, S, HPSTL Elizabeth Bower, L/DS, ID Crush Elizabeth Scanlon, OH, Dynasty Ella Andrews, MB, Legacy Ella Askin, OH, KiVA Ella Florez, S, Dynasty Ella Grimes, L/DS, Elevation Ella Jenkins, OH, Rev Elle Mottola, S, Winter Park Elli Strecker, MB, Team Indiana Ellie Chu, SG Elite, S Ellie Hepler, L/DS, Boiler Jrs Ellie Scharlow, OH, Union Emily Keiran, L/DS, KiVA Emma Adkins, S, Tri-State Elite Emma Cugino, L/DS, Mintonette Emma Frietch, L/DS, NKYVC Emmerson Champagne, MB, Tstreet Eva Long, S, Legacy Eva Swenson, S/RS, MN Select Evelyn Potter, OH, Flyers Finley Krystkowiak, OH, Wave Gabby Semona, MB, Tri-State Elite Gabi Rodriguez, L/DS, Madfrog Gabrielle Brodner, OH, Jupiter Elite Gabriella Divita, OH, Legacy Genevieve Harris, S, NC Academy Grace Jones, L/DS, Tri-State Elite Grace Portwood, OH, NKYVC Hailey Mueller, OH, Northeast Haley Burgdorf, OH, SPVB Haley Wilson, S, AVC Cle Halle Thompson, OH, Hou Skyline Hannah Lee, MB, Flyers Henley Anderson, OH, Austin Performance Isabel Taylor, OH, Club V Isabelle Hoppe, S, Pitt Elite Isabelle Masten, OH, Rev Izabella Cano, L/DS, McAllen Fierce Jaci Hall, RS, Alamo Jaidyn Hartsfield, S, Madfrog Jayden Hanson, S, Forza North Jayla Jackson, MB, TAV Jaylyn Tuiasosopo, OH, Alamo Jillian Bohannon, S, KiVA Jordan Turner, S, Skyline Jordin Southall, OH, Game Point Jordyn Gray, OH, Carolina Jrs Julia Solodky, L/DS, Austin Skyline Juliana Hernandez, L/DS, TAV Kaiya Kearney, OH, Arizona Storm Kalli Lipo, L/DS, Arizona Storm Karen Dutro, MB, Circle City Karis Chatfield, OH, Far Out Katherine Byergo, MB, HPSTL Kayla Nwabueze, MB, Legacy Kaylssa Taggart, S, A5 Keira Dommer, S, Summit Keely Harrington, S, Excel Kendall Bosse, MB, Tri-State Elite Kennedy Crayton, OH, Flyers Kennedy Simon, MB, TAV Keoni Williams, MB, Flyers Kinsley Young, MB, TAV Kirsten Kemper, S, NKYVC Kylie Kleckner, OH, TAV Kylie Parker, OH, SG Elite Lacy Tinnell, OH, Hou Skyline Lauren Ortwerth, OH, HPSTL Lauren Scheiden, L/DS, Drive Nation Layla Austin, OH, Skyline Layla Hoying, OH, Mintonette Layli Ostovar, OH/RS, Long Beach Leah Pike, MB, TVC Leah Stephens, L/DS, HPSTL Lexi Anderson, OH, TAV Lexi Kedvesh, L/DS, Rev Lexi Shondell, S, Boiler Jrs Lily Jones, OH, Circle City Lily Rolfes, S, Arizona Storm Lindley Miller, MB, Triangle Lindsay Miller, MB, Pohaku Lindsey Murphy, L/DS, AVC Cle Londyn Stone, OH, AVC Cle Lydia Stahley, OH, Team Indiana Mackinley Parrott, S, A5 Macy Funk, MB, A5 Madeleine Steele, MB, NKYVC Madeline Dettling, OH,

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Class of 2025: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 28, 2022

We started releasing our updated player rankings this week. The Class of 2023 was up first and you can find it by clicking on the link. The same with the Class of 2024. Up next is the Class of 2025, which you can find below. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 15, No. 25 or No. 35, or No. 65, No. 75 or No. 85 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Addison Gaido, RS, Austin Skyline Addison Makun, MB, KiVA Addison Tindall, OH, Team Pineapple   Alex Richter, OH, Skyline Ashlyn Paymal, RS, NE Elite Asia Harvey, OH, A5 Brianna Brewer, OH, Tstreet Campbell Flynn, S, Legacy Charlotte Vinson, RS, Munciana Francesca Popescu, L/DS, A5 Isabella Ocampo, OH, Skyline Julia Grace, L/DS, NKYVC Kassidy O’Brien, S, Hou Skyline Kirra Musgrove, S/RS, Houston Jrs Lauren Hurst, OH, K2 Kaci Demaria, OH, Surfside Kassidy O’Brien, S, Hou Skyline Kenna Cogill, MB, Arizona Storm   KK Green, S/RS, OT Meg Lameen Mambu, OH/RS, Paramount Logan Bell, OH, Circle City Maya Evens, L/DS, Wave Natalie Wardlow, MB, Nebraska One Navea Gauthier, OH, Far Out Naya Salfiti, RS, Madfrog Reagan Ennist, OH, NY Rebel Ryan Hunter, RS, Carolina Jrs Taylor Cook, S, Skyline *** PLAYERS ADDED TO THE RANKINGS Abby Jones, OH, Temecula Viper Amaiyah Long, RS, OTVA Amaria King, OH, Jax Skyline Ashley Repetti, OH, Seal Beach Ashlyn Tafoya, S, Rocky National Ava Poinsett, OH, Coast Ava Tilden, OH, NKYVC Bella Bullington, OH, SPVB BreAnna McMillan, S/RS, Triangle Brooke Hansen, S/RS, Forza North Callie Krueger, L/DS, Austin Skyline Cambria Gaier, OH, Far Out Cecilia Porter, MB, Over the Top Cecilia Vance, OH, ARVC Chalei Reid, OH, Mauloa Charlotte Kelly, MB, NorCal Connore Siler-Nixon, MB, OTVA Elena Fischer, OH, Absolute Ellie Hunt, RS, NorCal Fallyn Blotzer, OH, Wave Gabriella Babinski, RS, Mich Elite Gracie Brown, MB, 501 Hazel Alevok, MB, Wildfire Isabella Pereira, OH, OTVA Jannelize Perez, L/DS, OT Meg Jenness Orcutt, RS, Game Point Journey Peppers, MB, 501 Julia Waller, S, Absolute Kate Hayhurst, RS, ID Crush Kaylee Peper, MB, OTVA Keila Gabriel, RS, Wave Keira Schmidt, MB, Northern Lights Kiana Landers, MB, Arizona Storm Lily Dee Davis, OH, Austin Skyline Lily Hayes, L/DS, OTVA Lindsey Mangelson, OH, Munciana Indy Lucy Chertock, OH, NorCal Lydia Chinchar, OH, No Name Madison Hooper, OH, Ozark Jrs Mallory Reck, OH/RS, Legacy Maya Banks, RS, Forza North Molly Reck, OH/MB, Legacy Morgan Graves, OH, Rancho Valley Nora Smith, L/DS, Union Olivia Ip, RS, SG Elite Paige Thies, OH, NPJ Rebekah Pfefferkorn, MB, Hou Skyline Reese Wilburn, S, 501 Ryan Murphy, S/RS, JJVA Sophia Randall, S, Kairos Stella Dillon, RS, Coast Stella Norman, OH, Temecula Viper Sydney Dreves, OH, OJVA Taelyn Bentley, MB, NPJ Tammara Gooseberry, RS, 501 Tara Greenberry, MB, HPSTL Taylor Deckert, L/DS, SCVC Tekoa Barnes, OH, Tribe Tenesyn Frye, S, ID Crush Tia Traudt, OH, VCNebraska Tristen Raymond, S/RS, AZ Rev Victoria Hill, OH, Game Point Yuri Park, L/DS, Wave *** REMAINING PLAYERS LISTED IN RANKINGS Aaliyah Smith, OH, Houston Jrs Abbigail Pickard, S, Far Out Abby Vander Wal, OH, 1st Alliance Abigail Li, S, A5 Abigail Mullen, RS, Dynasty Ada Awagu, MB, SA Jrs Addison Applegate, L/DS, Munciana Addison Williams, RS, Legacy Addy Franz, S, Drive Nation Alana Asante, MB, Game Point Alexis Ewing, OH, VA Jrs Alison Bierwagen, S, Top Select Allison Barrick, OH, Elevation Allison Butrum, L/DS, Alamo Ally Hughes, S, Tri-State Elite Alyssa Aguayo, OH, Aspire Amelia Hansen, OH, Co Jrs Amelia Robinson, MB, Austin Skyline Amina N’diaye, OH, OTVA Anna Jelinek, OH, Nebraska One Anna Powell, OH, KiVA Annabelle Groomes, S, AVC Cle Aniya Hall, MB, Alamo Ashley Sess, MB, Tri-State Elite Aubrey Lyssy, S, SA Magic Audrey Asleson, S, SPVB Audrey Jackson, OH, TAV Ava Ball, OH, Northern Lights Ava Harris, S, Team Pineapple Ava Hunter, S, Munciana Ava Tindall, MB, Team Pineapple Ava Young, L/DS, 1st Alliance Avery Freeman, L/DS, Circle City Bailey Blair, MB, KiVA Bailey Warren, OH, Hou Skyline Bayleigh Minor, MB, Hou Skyline Bella Satterwhite, OH, West Florida Wave Billie Reiter, S, MKE Sting Blue Anderson, L/DS, Skyline Brianne

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Class of 2024: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 25, 2022

We are in the process of updating our player rankings at vballrecruiter.com. We led with our initial player rankings back when we launched in March. After starting with the Class of 2023, we are continuing below with the Class of 2024. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. The Class of 2024 below contains 28 5-star recruits. The Class of 2024 has roughly 70 4-star recruits, while there are approximately 300 3-star recruits. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 17, No. 27 or No. 37, or No. 67, No. 77 or No. 87 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Alexis Maesch, RS, Circle City Alice Volpe, L/DS, HJV Ava Utterback, OH, Circle City Bailey Higgins, RS, OTVA Blaykli Bobik, OH, AZ Storm Brooklyn Tealer, OH, Gainesville Jrs Chelsea Sutton, MB, OTVA Claire Luoma, L/DS, MKE Sting Cymarah Gordon, RS, Momentous Elizabeth Tabeling, L/DS, NKYVC Emerson Sellman, OH, Metro Erin Debiec, S, Metro Faith Frame, L/DS, Premier Nebraska Gracie Morrow, OH, Shockwave Hannah Benjamin, OH, A5 Isabel Clark, OH, Momentous Janelle Green, S, KC Power Jenna Hanes, MB, Wave Kennedy Washington, MB, TAV Kiarrah Horne, OH, Triangle Kiylah Presley, MB, Paramount Lauren Lambert, OH, Skyline London Wijay, OH, Supernova Madison Maxwell, S/RS, Legacy (CA) Mallory Bohl, MB, Legacy Mia Tvrdy, MB, Premier Nebraska Molly Kate Patten, RS, A5 Nayelis Cabello, S/RS, Top Select Paityn Chapman, OH, Co Jrs Riley Whitlock, RS, Boiler Jrs Samantha Bowron, OH, Top Select Sarah Brodner, RS, High Tide Taylor Parks, S, OTVA Taylor Williams, OH, Vision *** PLAYERS ADDED TO RANKINGS Alivia Skidmore, OH, NKYVC Anaya Thrower, MB, Absolute Ava Shankle, MB, Drive Nation Avery Baughman, L/DS, Madfrog Brianna Hamilton, OH, Arete Claire Morrissey, RS, Rockwood Thunder Elisabeth Levick, S, OJVA Eva Dittmar, OH, EliteVBTC Faith Young, MB, Tri-State Fallon Stewart, OH, OTVA Fallyn Blotzer, OH, Forza North Hailey Heytvelt, MB, OJVA Halie McGinest, RS, Long Beach Halle Reiter, L/DS, OJVA Haylee LaFontaine, OH, Seal Beach Hayley Ogden, MB, Coast Heidi Devers, L/DS, Dynasty Jadyn Wilgus, MB, AJV Julia Kakkis, S/RS, Momentous Kamaluhia Garcia, RS, Ku’Ikahi Kelsey Niesen, L/DS, Tri-State Kendall Beshear, OH, SCVC Kennedy Osunsanmi, RS, Legacy Lauryn Johnson, OH, NPJ Lilliana Montes, MB, Temecula Viper Logan Tusher, S, Absolute Mackenzie Wager, RS, Union Michael Torkaman, L/DS, Vision Munachiso Mmuo, MB, EC Power Natalie Depaula, S/RS, Tribe Nora Wurtz, RS, NE Elite Olivia Hasbrook, L/DS, Rockwood Thunder Payton Petersen, OH, Six Pack Preslie Yates, MB, Absolute Reese Ptacek, MB, Northern Lights Reis Baune, OH, Northern Lights Renee Jones, RS, Metro Ryla Jones, MB, Metro Sophia Mayo, OH, Circle City Sydney Waller, OH/RS, ECJ *** REMAINING PLAYERS RANKED Abby Hoybjerg, OH, SynergyForce Abby Yoder, S, NKYVC Addie Kanouff, RS, Co Jrs Addie Waller, S, Elevation (CO) Addison Collum, RS, Seal Beach Addison Engel, MB, Norco Addison Stephens, OH, Elevation (CO) Addisyn Pohl, MB, AZ Rev Addy Brus, OH, Tri-State Elite Adella Rodriguez, OH, TVC Aiva Titus, MB, Elevation (CO) Alaleh Tolliver, OH, Academy Alayna Smith, RS, Triangle Alex Rothe, OH/MB, Elite VBTC Alex Acevedo, OH, Idaho Crush Alex Bower, S, Idaho Crush Alexis Alexander, MB, Pohaku Alexis Haury, S, NPJ Alivia Keegan, S, Mission Alizabeth Jacobsen, MB, NE Elite Alleigh Dutton, L/DS, Circle City Allie Shondell, S, Boiler Jrs Allison Risley, OH, Rockwood Thunder Aly Kirkhoff, L/DS, Team Indiana Alysa Walker, OH, Alamo Alyssa Anderson, S, Club V Alyssa Forelli, S, AZ Rev Alyssa Nelson, S, Rockwood Thunder Amanda Mack, OH, K2 Amanda Saeger, S, Wave Aniya Warren, L/DS, SPVB Anna Bjork, MB, MKE Sting Anna Boatner, MB, TAV Anna Kate Carlisle, MB, Gainesville Jrs Anna Leasure, S, ECP Bucks Annah Legaspi, L/DS, Momentous Aowyn Schrader, OH, Premier Nebraska Ashby Daniel, MB, TAV Ashley Duckworth, OH, Vegas Aces Ashlyn Philpot, MB, Triangle Ashtyn Sims, OH, OTVA Asia Thigpen, OH, Triangle Aspen Maxwell, RS, HJV Aubrey Kirk, OH, Maverick Audrey Terry, S, TAV Houston Autumn Holmes, RS, K2 Ava Falduto, L/DS, New Wave Ava Kanj, MB, Maverick Ava Martin, S, Pohaku Ava Nakai, OH, Club V Ava Pratt, OH, Adversity Avery Anders, L/DS, AVC Cle Avery Jackson, OH, Madfrog Avery Jesewitz, OH, Northern Lights Avery Weslow, OH,

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Class of 2023: Player Rankings Update (FREE)

July 24, 2022

vballrecruiter.com launched in March with our initial player rankings. The time has come to update them, starting below with the Class of 2023. The free article is broken down into three parts. Part one features players whose rankings have changed since March. This includes players who have moved up from 3-stars to 4-stars and from 4-stars to 5-stars. The second part highlights players who have been added to the rankings who were not part of the initial list and now have a star ranking. The final part lists the remaining players who appear in our rankings. They are players who were already ranked and whose ranking did not change. While the article is free for all to view, we do not list the actual star rankings of any player. You’ll need a subscription in order to see those, plus gain access to everything we do from indoor, to beach, to boys. Let’s take a quick moment to share some background on the player rankings. We decided to use star rankings in similar fashion to the way they are used in sports like football and basketball. We went this route instead of using a numbered rankings system because we feel it’s easier to relate to and eliminates the minutiae of sorting through hundreds of players who are very similar in talent. For example, when releasing a list of top players from 1-100 there are only so many 5-star recruits. The football site 247Sports features just 32, 5-star recruits from each class. The Class of 2023 below contains 29 5-star recruits. The Class of 2023 has roughly 75 4-star recruits, while there are approximately 300 3-star recruits. Rather than debate the difference between a player being No. 18, No. 28 or No. 38, or No. 68, No. 78 or No. 88 we felt it was easier to relate to 3, 4 or 5-star rankings while also giving a more relatable context when it comes to recruiting classes. If a college program lands three 5-star recruits needless to say that’s an incredible class. Lastly, players are listed with the club they played for this past club season. We know some have made switches. Please email chris@vballrecruiter.com with any changes, corrections and/or updates. Club directors and club coaches are welcome to email with any players not appearing on the list who they feel should be considered for a star ranking. PLAYERS WHOSE RANKING CHANGED Players listed alphabetically by first name Allison Berent, L/DS, L2 Allison Cavanaugh, RS, OTVA Betsy Goodenow, RS, MAVS KC Brooke Bultema, MB, Elevation Cayla Payne, MB, Wave Gabriela Cornier, L/DS, A5 Grace Egan, OH, 1st Alliance Kamryn Lee-Caracci, MB, 1st Alliance Kate Simington, MB, MN Select Kate Thibault, L/DS, MN Select Kennedy Phelan, S, Ozark Juniors Kira Holland, OH, AVC Cle Lauryn Bowie, RS, Mintonette Mia Lee, MB, Club V Reagan Fox, OH, KC Power Safi Hampton, OH, Metro Samantha Hoppes, RS, Drive Nation Zeta Washington, MB, OTVA Zoe Rachow, S, Coast *** PLAYERS ADDED TO RANKINGS Players listed alphabetically by first name Alexandra Farquhar, RS, Absolute Annika Sokol, S/RS, Co Jrs Arleigh Hanson, S, Metro Audrey Ross, OH, NorCal Ava Marie Lange, OH/RS, Sunshine Avery Bolles, OH, MN Select Avery Jones, RS, Sunshine Avery Van Hook, S, Iowa Rockets Bianka Lulic, MB, Coast Brooklyn Briscoe, MB, Coast Brooklyn Fuchs, MB, Premier Nebraska Brooklyn Yelland, L/DS, Coast Brynn Covell, S, Academy Diamond Brynne McGhie, S, Dynasty Cameron Berger, S, Vital Carly Sciborski, RS, Academy Diamond Chloe Wilmot, S, Paramount Claire Mrukowski, RS, Elite VBTC Courtney O’Brien, OH, Hou Skyline Cristin Cline, S, CUVC Dior Charles, MB, Sunshine Drew Wright, L/DS/OH, Sunshine Ella Gaona, L/DS, HPSTL Ella Scott, L/DS, Tstreet Elle Patterson, OH, Rev Emily Fowler, OH, OTVA Emma Donley, OH, Rage Westside Gabby Dean, MB, Team Indiana Gabriella Placide, RS, Co Jrs Grace Albaugh, OH, OTVA Grace Thrower, OH, Sunshine Havannah Hoeft, S, Rage Westside Iyanna Garvin, MB, A5 Jahniya Jackson, OH, SynergyForce Jaya Johnson, MB, PVA Julia Kane, L/DS, Top Select Julia Waugh, OH, CUVC Kaia Mateo, S, NYC Juniors Kamryn Gibadlo, RS, AZ Storm Katerina Lutz, L/DS, Wave Kaylin Daniels, MB, HJV Kennedy Martin, RS, FC Elite Koko Kirsch, L/DS, Wave Kyanna Creecy, MB, Excel Madison Gravlee, OH, High Tide Makena Lim, L/DS, A4 Margo Kemp, MB, EC Power Mary Healy, RS, Absolute Melie Vaioleti, L/DS, Ku’Ikahi Morgan Burke, S/RS, NE Elite Nicole Feliciano, S/RS, Tstreet Nikki Quinn, S, Wave Paige Buzzerio, OH, A4 Remi Madison, OH, Mich Elite Romani Thurman, RS, Elite Ryleigh Patterson, MB/RS, Wave Shanelle Puetz, S, Wave Sophia Gregoire-Salagean, OH, OJVA Stella Adeymi, OH, Premier Nebraska Sydney Lewis, L/DS, OTVA Taylor McNear, L/DS, CHAVC Tehani Ulufatu, L/DS, Absolute *** REMAINING PLAYERS RANKED Players listed alphabetically by first name Addison Benson, OH, Legacy (CA) Alanna Bankston, OH, Premier Nebraska Alayna Pearson, L/DS, KC Power Alayna Tessena, OH, CVC Alessia Brown, MB, A4 Alexa Trapani, L/DS, Sunshine Alexandra Chandler, MB, SynergyForce Ali Wiest, OH, AZ Storm Aliyah Waldon, OH, No Name Allie Hazelwood, S, Infinity Alyssa Eimer, L/DS, SynergyForce Alyssa Gonzales, OH/RS, SynergyForce Alyssa Manitzas, L/DS, Alamo Amanda Otten, S, Team One Ameena Campbell, OH, Long Beach Amelia Nott, MB, Elevation Andi Jackson, RS, The Diff Aniya Madkin, OH, Infinity Ariana Brown, OH, Willowbrook Arianna Gonzalez, OH, UEPA Arissa Smith, MB, HJV Arya Jue, L/DS, A5 Ashley Evans, MB, Top Select Ashley Li, OH, Tstreet Ashley Mullen, S, Dynasty Ashlyn Reeves, MB, MAVS KC Aubriegh Oswald, MB, Far Out Auburn Tomkinson, RS, Wave Audrey Armbruster, S, Elevation Audrey Brown, OH, Legacy Audrey Clark, S, TAV Aureana Fisher, MB, Caroline Rogue Ava Blascziek, S, Northern Lights Ava Bogan, MB, 1st Alliance Ava Carney, OH, Pitt Elite Ava Hoying, OH, Mintonette Ava Leahy, MB, CUVC Ava Martindale, L/DS, TAV Houston Ava Norris, L/DS, KiVA Ava Roth, L/DS, Rockwood Thunder Ava Sarafa, S, Mich Elite Ava Schabes, S, 1st Alliance Ava Siefke, OH, NKYVC Ava Smith, OH, Circle City Ava Testrake, OH, KC Power Ava Wallis, S, Top Select Avah Armour, OH/RS, Co Jrs Avery Burks, OH, Aspire

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Final 14s Club National Rankings

July 23, 2022

We spent the week releasing our final Club National Rankings. Last in line is the 14s divisions, which you can find below. You can find the 18s, 17s, 16s and 15s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. MINTONETTE M.41 (6 – previous ranking) Going 10-1 overall, Mintonette captured the 14 Open gold medal at Junior Nationals after fedning off Flyers 14 Anthony in the championship match. Mintonette’s only loss came to Forza1 North 14 UA in the second round of pool play. That contest was one of seven consecutive three-setters for Mintonette, which went on to defeat NKYVC 14-1 Tsunami in the challenge round, Wave 14 Brennan in the quarters and Elevation 14 Molly in the semis, all in three as well, before sweeping Flyers. Mintonette beat Flyers in three sets in the first round of pool play as well and finish off the year going 26-11 against Open-qualified teams. Mintonette finished first at Northern Lights and fifth at both MEQ and Windy City, as well as Triple Crown. 2. FRISCO FLYERS 14 ANTHONY (5) Two of the three losses at Junior Nationals – where Flyers took home the silver medal in 14 Open – came to Mintonette. HPSTL 14 Royal was the only other team to top Flyers, coming in the first round of pool play. It was a tremendous year for Flyers, which took second at Lone Star, third at Salt Lake and fourth at Triple Crown. Flyers ends the season with a near identical record as Mintonette against the Open field at 26-12. 3. ELEVATION 14 MOLLY (9) Elevation capped its year with a bronze medal in 14 Open at Junior Nationals, falling to Mintonette in the semis. Elevation outlasted Austin Skyine 14 Royal in challenge play before scoring a big victory over TAV 14 Black in the quarterfinals. The only other loss in Indy came to SG Elite 14 Rosh in the first round of pool play. Elevation finished first at Big South and fourth at MEQ, as well as taking sixth at Triple Crown. Elevation went 24-15 against Open competition. 4. TAV 14 BLACK (3) It was TAV which ended the hopes of Boiler Jrs 14 Gold of ‘doubling up’ when the North Texas Region club took down the 14 Open AAU champion in the challenge round at Junior Nationals. TAV then was stopped in the quarterfinals by Elevation and finished tied for fifth in Indy. TAV ended first at NEQ, fifth at MEQ and 11th at Lone Star. TAV wraps up with a 21-12 mark versus Open teams. 5. BOILER JRS 14 GOLD (8) Though Boiler Jrs wasn’t able to advance to the gold bracket at Junior Nationals, the Hoosier Region club turned in one of the best seasons. Boiler Jrs captured gold in 14 Open at AAU and lost just twice in Indy, to TAV in the challenge round and to Flyers in the second round of pool play. Other results on the season include winning Windy City, taking second at NEQ and third at MEQ. Boiler Jrs also won Bluegrass and the JVA SummerFest and finished 15th at Triple Crown. Boiler Jrs compiled a 30-11 record when facing Open teams, the second-most victories of any team. 6. WAVE 14 BRENNAN (4) A loss to Mintonette in the quarterfinals kept Wave from medaling at Junior Nationals. The only other loss in Indy came to Alamo 14 Premier in the first round of pool pool as Wave finished tied for fifth overall. It was a remarkable season for the So Cal club, which finished first at the Red Rock Rave and fourth at Salt Lake City, as well as second at Triple Crown and winning the JVA West Coast Cup. All that led Wave to a 34-11 mark against Open competition, the most victories of any team against such opponents. 7. SG ELITE 14 ROSH (20) There are always surprises at Junior Nationals and SG was one of the biggest. The So Cal club upset Madfrog 14 Green in the quarterfinals before falling to Flyers in the semis to secure a bronze medal. SG Elite also took out Forza1 North 14 UA in challenge play and together it elevated SG Elite 13 spots in our final rankings. SG Elite – which finished 14th at Triple Crown – took second at the Red Rock Rave and third at PNQ. Its record against Open teams stands at 16-18, with five of those losses coming against Wave. 8. MADFROG 14 GREEN (1) It was a tough ending to an incredible season as Madfrog finished tied for fifth at Junior Nationals. Madfrog came to Indy having lost just once – to Elevation –

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Final 15s Club National Rankings

July 22, 2022

The final National Rankings release party continues on with the 15s divisions below. You can find the 18s, 17s and 16s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. ALAMO 15 PREMIER (19 – previous ranking) Alamo is the perfect example of the beauty that is Junior Nationals. The only at-large team in the field, Alamo stormed its way to the 15 Open gold medal. Alamo showed flashes during the season. One instance was taking fifth at the Salt Lake City qualifier. Alamo also finished seventh at the Sunshine Classic, but came in 11th at the Lone Star Classic and 17th at Triple Crown. While Alamo was most assuredly deserving of the lone at-large, there was hardly a case to be made for Alamo winning it all. The Lone Star Region club came into the tourney with a 9-14 mark against the Open field then reeled off nine victories to finish on top, including beating Arizona Storm 15 Thunder in the championship match. Alamo ends the year with a 18-17 mark against Open teams. 2. ARIZONA STORM 15 THUNDER (1) There’s no doubt Storm was the best, most consistent team throughout the club season. However, Storm’s only loss at Junior Nationals happened to come in the championship match to Alamo. Storm’s year included a ninth-place finish at Triple Crown and winning both the Salt Lake City and Red Rock Rave qualifiers, as well as the JVA West Coast Cup. Storm lost just four matches to teams in its age group – Dynasty 15 Black, Aspire 15 Premier, Seal Beach 15 Black and Alamo. It finishes the season with a 30-2 record against Open opponents. 3. TAV 15 BLACK (3) TAV is well deserving of a Top 5 ranking after the season it turned in. The North Texas Region club wrapped up an incredible year with a bronze medal at Junior Nationals after falling to Storm in the semis. It capped a year in which TAV never finished lower than fifth place, which came at the Lone Star Classic. TAV finished first at NEQ and third at Red Rock and finishes with an impressive 28-7 clip against Open-qualified clubs. 4. DRIVE NATION 15 RED (21) With its remarkable run at Junior Nationals, Drive Nation makes a huge leap in our final rankings and climbs inside the Top 5 after taking home the bronze medal in Indy. Drive Nation upset Hou Skyline 15 Royal in the quarterfinals before falling to Alamo. Along with Alamo winning gold, it was one of the most surprising results in 15 Open. Drive Nation entered JNs with a 5-14 mark against the Open field but reminded everyone that it’s not how many but when the victories come that matters most. Drive Nation finishes the season with an 11-19 mark against Open teams, but most importantly it earned itself hardware. 5. HOU SKYLINE 15 ROYAL (2) For Hou Skyline it was simply a case of losing at the wrong time as the Lone Star Region club was upended by Drive Nation in the quarterfinals and settled for a fifth-place finish at Junior Nationals. Regardless, it was an incredible year for Hou Skyline, which never finished lower than fifth place. It included coming in first at both the Northern Lights and Sunshine qualifiers, as well as a third at Lone Star and fifth at Triple Crown. Hou Skyline ends with a hefty 20-6 record against Open teams. 6. 1ST ALLIANCE 15 BLACK (6) Another club which showed tremendous consistency all season, 1st Alliance was in position to medal at Junior Nationals but came in fifth after falling to Alamo in the quarterfinals. Among the results this past spring for 1st Alliance include winning Triple Crown, taking second at MEQ, third at Windy City and fifth at Sunshine. 1st Alliance finishes with a great 20-8 mark playing Open opponents. 7. LEGACY 15 ADIDAS (8) The AAU 15 Open champions had its medal hopes dashed at Junior Nationals after losing to TAV in the challenge round. Overall, Legacy turned in a strong year, coming in third at Triple Crown, second at the Sunshine Classic and fourth at MEQ, as well as winning the JVA SummerFest. Legacy went 22-13 against Open teams. 8. OT 15 RANDY (7) OT Randy finished with a silver medal in 15 Open at AAU before heading to Junior Nationals, where it came in fifth after going down to Arizona Storm in the quarterfinals. This is another club that was steady and consistent throughout the season, never finishing lower than fifth. It featured winning the Big South qualifier, as well as taking second at Triple Crown, third at Sunshine and fifth at MEQ. On the

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Final 16s Club National Rankings

July 21, 2022

Our final Club National Rankings release continues on with the 16s division. You can find the 18s and 17s that were already put out by clicking on the links. There are lots of factors to take into consideration when formulating a list like this. It leaves plenty of room for debate as these rankings are ultimately subjective. There are power league results, qualifier results, national tournaments like Triple Crown and of course the USAV Girls Junior Nationals and AAU national championships. All these come into play. We put more weight on what happened at Junior Nationals than a qualifier because the whole season is built toward peaking at JN’s. We also had one steadfast rule we didn’t break no matter the circumstances. That rule was if Team A defeated Team B in a gold challenge match or gold bracket match at JN’s, Team A is always going to be ranked ahead of Team B. That’s because everyone comes to JN’s to win a gold medal and if Team A eliminates Team B from contention, it won at the absolute right time. It can make for some skewed overall rankings as a team might be too high or low overall but what’s the point if the biggest head-to-head matches of the season aren’t the most important ones? The Top 25 teams have comments to hopefully give some insight as to why they are ranked where they are. A select few from 26-50 have comments as well but not all. 1. MADFROG 16 GREEN (22 – previous ranking) Madfrog put together an unbelievable run in winning the 16 Open gold medal at Junior Nationals. There was no way to predict Madfrog could pull off the unexpected the way the North Texas Region club did. Madfrog had a good but not great season heading into Indy. There was a 13th-place finish at Triple Crown followed by coming in 11th at the Salt Lake City qualifier. Madfrog then qualified by taking third at PNQ and finished off with a fifth at the Lone Star Classic qualifier. We had Madfrog ranked No. 22 heading into JN’s. Madfrog actually lost two of its first three outings in Indy, falling to MKE Sting 16 Gold and NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami with a victory over SG Elite 16 Rosh in between. But after the loss to NKYVC, Madfrog reeled off eight consecutive victories, including beating A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe in the second round of pool play and again in the gold medal match. Madfrog also topped AJV 16 Adidas in challenge play and then 1st Alliance 16 Gold in the quarterfinals and Premier Nebraska 16 Gold in the semis. Madfrog entered JN’s with seven victories against Open teams and surpassed that number with eight wins in Indy. Madfrog ends the season 15-12 against Open foes. 2. A5 MIZUNO 16 GABE (3) It was a tough ending to a remarkable year as A5 fell one victory short of pulling off the double. Few teams had the overall consistent A5 displayed. The team never finished lower than fifth place, where it placed at Triple Crown. A5 ended first at Central Zone and Bluegrass, as well as winning the Sunshine Classic qualifier. A5 also earned second at Northern Lights and third at Big South. A5 went undefeated in winning 16 Open at AAU and then brought home the silver medal in 16 Open at Indy. It lost three times in Indy, twice to Madfrog and once to KC Power 16-1, which came in the last match of the first round of pool play after A5 already had the pool clinched. A5 earned a big victory over TAV 16 Black in challenge play and then topped original No. 1 seed Dynasty 16 Black in the semis. A5 posted a 27-7 mark against Open-qualified teams, as well as beating Munciana 16 Moana twice and Tri-State Elite 16 Blue once. 3. DYNASTY 16 BLACK (1) If Junior Nationals carried equal weight as every other tournament this season, Dynasty would be the top team in the nation in our final rankings. No team put up better results heading into Indy than Dynasty. It included winning Triple Crown, MEQ, Windy City and Northern Lights, as well as taking third at Show Me and earning the bronze medal at JN’s. Dynasty started slow in Indy, losing two of its first three matches to OT 16 Roberto and TAV. It was surprising given Dynasty only lost two matches coming into the tourney – to TAV and NKYVC. Dynasty earned the bronze by beating NKYVC in the quarters before falling to A5 in the semis. Dynasty finishes 26-5 against Open opponents. 4. NKYVC 16-1 TSUNAMI (2) NKYVC was remarkably steady and consistent all season and showed strong at Junior Nationals, losing only to Dynasty in the quarterfinals. NKYVC’s showing at Indy included beating eventual champion Madfrog in pool play. NKYVC didn’t finish lower than fifth at any event. NKYVC won Central Zone, took seconds at Show Me, Triple Crown and the JVA SummerFest, thirds at Bluegrass and NEQ and tied for fifth at MEQ. NKYVC went 21-8 against Open competition. 5. 1ST ALLIANCE 16 GOLD (7) It was not surprising to see 1st Alliance tie for fifth place at Junior Nationals. Not after the season put together by the Great Lakes Region club. 1st Alliance lost to Metro 16 Travel in the first round of pool play and to MKE Sting 16 Gold in the second round of pool play, but defeated Seal Beach 16 Black in challenge play, as well picking up victories over Coast 16-1 and Co Jrs 16 Sherri. After coming in 29th at Triple Crown, 1st Alliance went on a tear and didn’t finish lower than second place until JN’s. It featured runner-ups at Sunshine, Windy City and MEQ. 1st Alliance finishes 16-14 against Open opponents. 6. PREMIER NEBRASKA 16 GOLD (18) Premier Nebraska makes a huge leap into the Top 10 in our final national rankings, moving up 12 spots from No. 18. Perhaps

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