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We’ve spent the week releasing our Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman Player of the Year Candidates. We finish with our Libero of the Year Candidates. Similar to our Player of the Year Candidates, there are determining factors used in order to provide parameters to choosing the players below. We looked at the talent level of the player, their impact on the team and overall team success. The first is very subjective, because not everyone will agree on a player’s talent level. Judging a player’s impact on a team meant the player needed to spend the majority of the season playing libero as well as leading the team in digs. Overall team success is judged based on how a team fared in their respective state playoff. Depending on the competitiveness of the state and division, teams needed to reach at least the Round of 16 or quarterfinals to be considered. We’ll next narrow down the list of candidates to the Libero of the Year Finalists, where we’ll highlight each player and the reason why they are up for the Libero of the Year award before eventually name the winner. LIBERO OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES (alphabetical order) Abby Freund SR Incarnate Word Academy MOAddison Applegate JR Yorktown INAddison Pollock JR Ransom Everglades FLAli Strange FR Archbishop McNicholas OHAly Kirkhoff SR Roncalli INAmelia Moser SR Lafayette MOAnahi Alvarado SR Tomball Memorial TXAngela Berger SO Bellevue West NEAniya Warren JR Benet Academy ILAnna Pelds SO Waukee Northwest IA *** Annalise Grant JR Dowling Catholic IAAshlee Gnau SR Northville MIAvery Anders SR St. Joseph Academy OHAvery Power JR Brandon MIBella Lee SR Plant FLBrie Habeeb JR Gilmour Academy OHBrookelyn Hatton JR Blue Valley West KSCali Reece SO Grand Oaks TXCorinne Schwindt SO Mill Valley KS *** Dakota Henry SR Kings OHDayla Ortiz SR Pope GADevin Dzienny JR St. Ursula Academy OHElla Vogel SR Chaparral COEmily Mathis SR Lee Summit West MOEmily Zgonc SO Hamilton WIEmma Adkins SO Mercy McAuley OHEmma Cugino SO Olentangy Orange OHEmma Ortiz SR Winter Park FLErin Clark SO Corona del Sol AZ *** Evie Huang SO Flint Hill VAFaith Frame SR Papillion-La Vista NEFelicia Wu SR Blue Valley North KSGabby Emch SO Pace Academy GAGillian Pitts JR Prestonwood Christian TXGraceyn Shepard FR Middle Creek NCHailey Green SR North Branch MIHannah Nicholson SO North Cobb GAIzzy Mahaffey JR Queen Creek AZJadyn Petersen SR Dike-New Hartford IA *** Jannelize Perez JR Lake Highlands Prep FLJillian Collins JR Mercy MIJulia Grace JR Notre Dame Academy KYJulia Oster JR Lake Catholic OHKailey Leonard FR Alpharetta GAKaitlyn Vogel FR Foothill CAKate Stewart JR Chiles FLKeri Leimbach JR Lincoln Lutheran NEKiley Gallagher SR Clarkston MIKinley Wilhelm JR Seaman KS *** Kinsley Singleton SR O’Connor AZKristen Simon JR Assumption KYLauren Lynch JR Sierra Canyon CALexi Kedvesh SO Carmel INLily Hayes JR Berkeley Prep FLLiv Foye JR Huntington Beach CALuca Bredenberg SR Southwest Christian MNMadi Kraft SO Eagan MNMagdalene Finnegan JR Cinco Ranch TXMalyssa Cawa SR Mater Dei CA *** Margaux Godfrey FR Lovett GAMary Katherine Whitehurst SO Bayside Academy ALMary McAmis SO Jupiter FLMary Nahinu JR Skyridge UTMary Schirpik JR Rouse TXMattea Casale JR Carrollwood Day FLMaya Evens JR Cathedral Catholic CAMcKenna Brand SR Lovejoy TXMegan Chapman SO Seven Lakes TXMichael Torkaman SR Valley Christian CA *** Molly Labreche JR Palos Verdes CAMya Bolton SR St. James Academy KYMya Lei-Butters SO Ankeny Centennial IANicole Macalintal JR Archbishop Mitty CAOlivia Durst JR Divine Savior Holy Angels WIOlivia Mauch SR Bennington NEPaisley Douglas SR Skutt Catholic NERuby McDermott SO Blessed Trinity GASamantha Falk SR Mother McAuley ILSarah Mendoza JR Colleyville Heritage TX *** Siena Ebert FR Hockaday TXSophia Bond SR St. Thomas Aquinas KSSophie Ledbetter SR Hamilton Southeastern INSydney Black JR Fulshear TXTatum Thompson SR Bishop Gorman NVTaylor Deckert JR Mira Costa CATrinidy Tien SR Lone Peak UTWhitney Wallace SR St. Francis/Mountain CA

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

We’ve released both our Senior and Junior Player of the Year Candidates already. Following those is our Sophomore Player of the Year Candidates. When it comes to selecting Player of the Year Candidates, it’s a subjective list. There are determining factors used in order to provide parameters to choosing the players below. We looked at the talent level of the player, their impact on the team and overall team success. The first is very subjective, because not everyone will agree on a player’s talent level. Judging a player’s impact on a team usually falls under being among the top kill leaders or if a setter running a 5-1, or even major contributions as both a setter and hitter. Overall team success is judged based on how a team fared in their respective state playoffs. Depending on the competitiveness of the state and division, teams needed to reach at least the Round of 16 or quarterfinals to be considered. We’ll next narrow down the list of candidates to the Player of the Year Finalists, where we’ll highlight each finalist and the reason why they are up for the Sophomore Player of the Year award before eventually naming the Player of the Year. Lastly, we are releasing a separate list for our Libero of the Year Candidates, so you won’t find any defenders below. Sophomore Player of the Year Candidates (alphabetical order) Abby Lusk OH Pocatello IDAbby Zimmerman S/RS Redondo Union CAAddison West OH Skutt Catholic NEAddy Scheitlin OH Rocklin CAAinhoa Molleja OH Doral Academy FLAlaina Walker S Cox Mill NCAllie Davison S Marian MIAnna Flores S Keller TXAubree Deshetsky OH North Branch MIAudrey Flanagan OH Mira Costa CA *** Ayanna Watson OH Bishop Gorman NVBailey Boeve OH Hinton IABellamie Beus OH Skyview IDBennett Raterman MB St. Pius X MOBritni Silver OH Conley NCBrooke Baldwin S Hamilton WIBrooke Harwood MB Eastmark AZCali Foster OH Benton Central INCatherine Palmi OH Osceola FLDaisy Oatsvall OH Brentwood TN *** DaMya Mann S/MB/RS Harlan TXElena Ruble S St. Pius X MOElla Brodner OH Jupiter Christian FLElla Florez S Mill Valley KSEllie Stiernagle S Benet Academy ILFinley Krystkowiak OH Torrey Pines CAGabi Zachariasen OH Harrisburg SDGenevieve Harris S Cardinal Gibbons NCGentry Oblad OH Coronado NVGigi Artiles OH Westminster Christian FL *** Gunny Brock OH Cleveland TNHaley Robinson OH Bayside Academy ALHalle Dolliver OH Malcolm NEHalle Thompson OH Grand Oaks TXHayden Liebsack OH Bennington NEHayden Reeder OH Anoka MNHenley Anderson Dripping Springs TXIsabelle Kremer S/RS Pleasant Valley IAIzabelle Keavney S Mayer Lutheran MNIzzy Masten OH Tri-West Hendricks IN *** Izzy Schovlin S Olentangy Orange OHJordin Southall OH Osceola FLJordyn Gray OH Cox Mill NCJosie Imes OH Zionsville INJulie Beckham OH Coronado NVKinsley Young MB Southlake Carroll TXKylie Buttars OH Skyridge UTLaura Eichert OH Lake Stevens WALayla Austin OH Southlake Carroll TXLayli Ostovar OH Mater Dei CA *** Leah Robinson OH St. James Academy KSLexie Stotenbur S Forest HillsLeylah Duran MB O’Connor AZLindsay Smith OH Chiles FLLynney Tarnow MB Benet Academy ILMadison Brown S Noblesville INMadison Slack S Milan MIMakenna Crosson OH Archbishop Mitty CAMarlee Sivak OH Oconomowoc WIMaryKate Scheumann OH Bellmont IN *** Megan Ingersoll OH Spain Park ALMia Gold OH Pine Crest FLMyah Favre MB Our Lady Academy MSMyla Emery S/RS Minden NENatalie Carr OH Canon-McMillan PAPeyton Carlson OH Waupaca WIRamsey Chastain S Dorman SCSadie Ross OH Jesuit ORSamantha Destler OH Marymount CASarah O’Connor S Briarcrest Christian TN *** Sarah O’Dell OH Tomball Memorial TXSkylar Jackson OH Lovejoy TXSydni Vice OH Houston TNVivian Hickman S/OH Xavier Prep AZ

We continue on with the individual award portion of the high school season. It kicked off with our Senior Player of the Year Candidates. Next in line is our Junior Player of the Year Candidates. When it comes to selecting Player of the Year Candidates, it’s a subjective list. There are determining factors used in order to provide parameters to choosing the players below. We looked at the talent level of the player, their impact on the team and overall team success. The first is very subjective, because not everyone will agree on a player’s talent level. Judging a player’s impact on a team usually falls under being among the top kill leaders or if a setter running a 5-1, or even major contributions as both a setter and hitter. Overall team success is judged based on how a team fared in their respective state playoffs. Depending on the competitiveness of the state and division, teams needed to reach at least the Round of 16 or quarterfinals to be considered. We’ll next narrow down the list of candidates to the Player of the Year Finalists, where we’ll highlight each finalist and the reason why they are up for the Junior Player of the Year award before eventually selecting the Player of the Year. Lastly, we are releasing a separate list for our Libero of the Year Candidates, so you won’t find any defenders below. Junior Player of the Year Candidates (alphabetical order) Abigail Li S Alpharetta GAAddy Horner S/RS St. Francis/Wheaton ILAddy Tindall OH Homestead INAlanah Clemente RS Bishop Alemany CAAlea Goolsby OH St. Thomas Aquinas KSAlyssa Koerkenmeier MB Mater Dei ILAmaria King OH Trinity Christian Academy FLAnna Blamires RS Cheyenne Mountain COAnna Jelinek OH Norris NE *** Anya Schmidt OH Rogers MNAshby Zubchevich OH La Canada CAAshlyn Paymal OH Omaha Westside NEAshlyn Tafoya S Thompson Valley COAsia Harvey OH Sandy Creek GAAva Durgan MB Mead WAAva Jo Berry S Wenatchee WAAva Tilden OH Notre Dame Academy KYBailey Warren OH Fulshear TXBella Bullington OH Marist IL *** Camryn Jeffery RS Westwood GACari Spears OH Prestonwood Christian TXCharlotte Glass S/RS St. Andrew’s FLCharlotte Vinson OH Yorktown INChloe Elarton S Valor Christian CODanielle Moore OH Howell MODelaney Miller OH Ankeny Centennial IADevon Burke OH Newton North MADevyn Wiest OH O’Connor AZ *** Ella Craggs S Northville MIElla Rogers S Dowling Catholic IAEllis Crawford MB Pope GAErika Sayer MB Lewis-Palmer COEvie Morrissette S/RS Sprague ORGeorgia Terrell OH Lake Washington WAGracie Furlong OH Galena ILHalle Horton OH Davidson Day NCHannah Kenny S/RS Willowbrook IL *** Hannah Leftridge OH St. Pius X MOHannah Pearce OH Saraland ALIsabelle Bardin S/RS Flint Hill VAIzzy Busignani OH Marian MIIzzy Mogridge S Berkeley Prep FLJada Aksu OH Georgetown Day DCJessica Costlow OH Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central MIKaira Knox OH Nolensville TNKamden Mitchell S Crescent Valley ORKassidy O’Brien S Cinco Ranch TX *** Kate Stewart OH Chiles FLKelly Kinney OH King’s Academy FLKenna Cogill MB Perry AZKennedy Vaughn OH Bob Jones ALKirra Musgrove S/RS Lutheran South Academy TXKK Green S Lake Highlands Prep FLLauren Hurst OH Cleveland TNLauren Lopez OH Bishop Miege KSLeni Stanton-Parker OH Langley VALilly Howell MB Muncie Burris IN *** Lindsey Mangelson OH Hamilton Southeastern INLogan Bell OH Roncalli INLogan Parks S/RS Blue Valley North KSLucy Chertock OH Amador Valley CALydia Pitts MB/S Southside ARMaddie Evans S Bingham UTMadison Emery S Bellevue West NEMadison Quest OH Divine Savior Holy Angels WIMaegan Mills OH Seaman KSMaggie Dostic OH Plant FL *** Maija Howse OH Eagle IDMallory Reck OH Northville MIMaria Nix OH Cannon NCMarin Collins OH Frontier NYMarlie Davis OH Gilmour Academy OHMaya Witherspoon OH Lafayette MOMegan Fitch OH Cornerstone Christian TXMeghan Anderson S Skutt Catholic NEMolly Reck OH Northville MIMaya Baker S Archbishop Mitty CA *** Paige Thies OH Oregon City ORParis McQuirter OH McGill-Toolen ALPeyton Sasse OH Lincoln ILReagan Ennist OH Shenendehowa NYReese Messer S St. James Academy KSRiley Greene MB Cardinal Mooney FLRyan Hunter RS Cox Mill NCSamara Coleman OH Grand Oaks TXShelby Burris MB Lovejoy TXShelby Ignash MB Cass City MI *** Suli Davis OH/S Colleyville Heritiage TXTara Greenbury MB Incarnate Word MOTatum Sharp MB Thompson Valley COTaylor Gaines OH Liberty Hill TXTaylor Harvey MB Bountiful UTTeraya Sigler OH Horizon AZTyler Peluso S Winter Park FLZoey Matias OH Westminster Christian FL

The final national high school rankings of the season have been released and Mater Dei was named the vballrecruiter.com national champion. Now, it’s time to move onto individual awards, beginning with our Senior Player of the Year Candidates. When it comes to selecting Player of the Year Candidates, it’s a subjective list. There are determining factors used in order to provide parameters to choosing the players below. We looked at the talent level of the player, their impact on the team and overall team success. The first is very subjective, because not everyone will agree on a player’s talent level. Judging a player’s impact on a team usually falls under being among the top kill leaders or if a setter running a 5-1, or even major contributions as both a setter and hitter. Overall team success is judged based on how a team fared in their respective state playoffs. Depending on the competitiveness of the state and division, teams needed to reach at least the Round of 16 or quarterfinals to be considered. We’ll next narrow down the list of candidates to the Player of the Year Finalists, where we’ll highlight each finalist and the reason why they are up for the Senior Player of the Year award before eventually naming our Player of the Year. Lastly, we are releasing a separate list for our Libero of the Year Candidates, so you won’t find any defenders below. Senior Player of the Year Candidates (alphabetical order) Abby Yoder S Kings OHAdrianna Arquette MB Kamehameha HIAlex Bower S Skyview IDAlyssa Nelson S Lafayette MOAniya Joseph OH Harlan TXAnnabelle Groomes S/RS St. Joseph Academy OHAshley McMaster OH Lake Washington WAAva Falduto OH IC Catholic ILAvery Craig OH Tomball Memorial TXAvery Hamlin OH Lake Travis TX *** Avery Scoggins S Middle Creek NCAyden Ames OH Prosper TXBelle Patrick OH Green Hope NCBethanie Wu S Lovejoy TXBlakeley Robbins S Bayside Academy ALBrielle Wilson S Mead WABrooke Tietz MB Grand Rapids West Catholic MICalli Kenny S/RS Willowbrook ILCallie Squiers S Kearney Catholic NECamdyn Stucky S Maize South KS *** Camryn Chatellier OH St. Mary’s Dominican LACaroline Lanicek OH Calvery OHCatherine Young OH Flower Mound TXCayla Cogan OH Clarkston MICayley Hanson S/RS Deer Park TXCharley Staats OH Valley Christian CACharlie Fuerbringer S Mira Costa CACharlotte Moriarty OH Assumption KYChloe Hokenson S Langley VAClara Gyomory RS North Branch MI *** Connor Rahn OH Middleburg FLCorrie Anderson OH Palmer Ridge CODelaney Bub OH Eagle IDDelaney Russell OH Valor Christian CODominique Phills OH Dawson TXElana Erickson OH Forest Hills MIElina Mortensen OH Corner Canyon UTElise Marchal OH Kings OHElla Demetrician OH Appleton North WIElla Grace Holloway OH Lewisburg MI *** Ella Kloepper OH Howell MOElle Weaver OH Oak Ridge CAEllie White OH Mother McAuley ILEmerson Sellman OH Academy Holy Cross MDEmma Williams OH Jesuit ORErin Curtis OH St. Francis/Mountain View CAErin Debiec S Bishop O’Connell VAFallon Stewart OH Winter Park FLFavor Anyanwu OH Sachse TXGrace Agolli S/RS Pace Academy GA *** Grace Carroll RS Cornerstone Christian TXGracie Gordon OH Collegiate VAHaley Clark RS La Canada CAHannah Byers OH Olympia WAHannah Parant S Mountain Brook ALHannah Pattie S Lake Catholic OHIsabel Clark OH Mater Dei CAIsabelle Marco S/RS Sacred Heart Prep CAIzzy Starck S/RS Viera FLJackie Taylor MB Gulliver Prep FL *** Jaden Hendrickson OH Redwood CAJadyn Livings RS Prestonwood Christian TXJaela Auguste MB Grand Oaks TXJenna Hanes MB Cathedral Catholic CAJenna Meitzler OH Barrington ILJillian Huckabey OH Olathe Northwest KSJordan Smart S Reagan NCKacey Kazmierski S Lake Travis TXKaitlyn Burke OH Mill Valley KSKaitlyn Moran S Mount Paran Christian GA *** Kamaluhia Garcia RS Moanalua HIKamryn Kaminski S Howards Grove WIKatherine Holtman MB Argyle TXKatie Kopshever OH Castle INKatrina Pelds OH Waukee Northwest IAKaylee Musick OH Bishop Hartley OHKelsey Cooper OH St. Croix Falls WIKendall Beshear OH Palos Verdes CAKendall Hopewell MB Forest Hills MIKinslee McGowan S Cleveland TN *** Kourtney Grossman OH Billings West MTLauren Dreves OH Columbia River WALauren Evans OH Carmel INLauren Harden OH Hamilton Southeastern INLauren Medeck OH Papillion-La Vista South NELeilia Toailoa OH Bishop Gorman NVLevani Key-Powell OH Bingham UTLilly Lansing RS Jesuit ORLilly Wagner S Oconomowoc WILily Barron OH Olentangy Orange OH *** Logan Wiley MB Alpharetta GALucy Mott S St. Ursula Academy OHMackenzie Dean OH Dowling Catholic IAMakenzie Wagner OH Providence INMalayah Long S Lincoln Southwest NEMaren Johnson OH Jenks OKMaria Drapp S Mercy McAuley OHMariah Potter S Xavier WIMegan Smith OH Conway ARMia Tvrdy MB Papillion-La Vista NE *** Morgan Gaerte OH Angola INMyia McCoy OH Greenwood ARMyka Christiansen S Skyridge UTNikol Antova OH North Cobb GAOlivia Heitkamp OH New Bremen OHOlivia Swenson OH Wayzata MNPaige Bennett OH Foothill CAPayton Petersen OH Dike-New Hartford IAPeyton Fadal S Barbers Hill TXQuincy Moran OH North Creek WA *** Rachel Van Gorp OH Heritage Christian Academy KSReagan Sharp OH Keller TXRegan Harp OH Fayetteville ARRegan Kadal S Legend CORella Binney S Punahou HIRyla Jones MB Flint Hill VASami Blackett OH Orem UTSarah Brodner OH Jupiter FLSavannah Skopal S Rouse TXSkyler Pierce OH Olathe Northwest KS *** Sophia Adkins OH Mercy McAuley OHSophia Henry OH Walton GASophia Wendlick OH Divine Savior Holy Angels WIStella Swenson S Wayzata MNSydney Barrett OH Kings OHSydney Van Cott OH St. Thomas Aquinas FLTatum Johnson MB JSerra CATaylor Parks S Calvary Christian FLTaylor Williams OH St. Francis/Mountain View CAZoey Burgess MB Lone Peak UT

We have the holidays and then a full club season before the next high school season arrives. However, why wait that long to start talking about it? Even though it’s way too early to determine any sort of rankings of schools, it’s still possible to get an idea of how the 2024 high school campaign might stack up. Below, we look ahead and dive into where the Top 10 programs from this season might stand next year. MATER DEI CA: The Monarchs are certainly going to take a hit, as they lose their top-two kill leaders in Isabel Clark (San Diego) and Cymarah Gordon (Michigan), as well as setter/right side Julia Kakkis (Brown), libero Malyssa Cawa (Stanford) and defensive specialist Tessa Hurley. Mater Dei does have pieces to rebuild around in sophomore outside Layli Ostovar, freshman middle Emma Kingston, sophomore middle Addison Coady and junior setter Ayva Ostovar. It’s going to be next to impossible for Mater Dei to repeat as national champion and put together another season like this one. But it’s very possible the Monarchs remain as Top 20 program. HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN IN: The Royals will enter 2024 as the two-time Indiana 4A state champs and riding a 67-match winning streak. It’s a mixed bag as to who stays and who goes. The big loss is outside Lauren Harden (Florida). Also graduating is setter Macy Hinshaw (Santa Clara) and libero Sophie Ledbetter (Ball State). However, among the returning players is junior outside Lindsey Mangelson (Mississippi State), who finished second on the team in kills behind Harden. It also stands that sophomore outside Madison Miles will take on a bigger role offensively next year, as will sophomore outside Merritt Sliwa. Junior setter Ava Hunter (Loyola-Chicago) is also coming back. Another undefeated season might be unlikely, but a three-peat in 4A is not. PRESTONWOOD CHRISTIAN TX: All eyes were on the Lions to begin 2023, as they returned every starter from a year ago. That won’t be the case going into 2024, but Prestonwood Christian brings back enough talent and will play a schedule worthy of a national champion. Seniors Jadyn Livings (USC), Mikala Young (TCU), Camille Edwards and Kennedy Washington will leave a void. Yet, the Lions are set up to absorb most of it. Kill leader and junior outside Cari Spears (Texas) is back. She’s joined by junior right side Taylor Clarke, junior setter Taylor Cook and junior libero Gillian Pitts. The younger Livings in Nyla and Naomi figure to take on much larger roles next season as sophomores too. Together, it’s likely to keep Prestonwood Christian near the top of the national rankings. GRAND OAKS TX: Could the Grizzlies open the season as the No. 1 team in the country next August? With the talent that is returning it’s possible. The Texas 6A state champs do lose a few key pieces in middle Jaela Auguste (Florida) and right side Caelyn Emmerling (Texas State), as well as one half of the setting duo in Audrey Terry. But the good news is the top-two kill leaders are back in sophomore outside Halle Thompson and junior outside Samara Coleman (Pitt). They combined for nearly 1,000 kills this fall. Sophomore libero Cali Reece returns, as does sophomore setter Samantha Sampson. It leaves the Grizzlies enough that they could have another season in store like this one, when they went 50-1. CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC CA: The Dons surprised in a major way this fall. After capturing the national championship in 2022 and losing a ton of talent, they were right back in the national championship picture in 2023. Cathedral Catholic is going to see more roster turnover next fall as it loses three of its top four kill leaders in Jenna Hanes (Michigan), Tiona Owens and Ayva Moi (Hawaii beach). Also graduating is senior setter Amanda Saeger (DePaul). The Dons are going to have to retool around sophomore outside Madyson McCarthy, freshman setter Kale’a Lee, junior libero Maya Evens (Maryland) and junior outside Mae Kordas (Yale). Freshman outside Jojo Wilson also figures to take on a bigger role next fall. It’s hard to see Cathedral Catholic remaining a Top-10 program in 2024, but we said the same thing about 2023, so we’ll see. WAYZATA MN: There is going to be big changes in the Trojans’ lineup next season. Key pieces in setter Stella Swenson (Minnesota), outside Olivia Swenson (Minnesota), right side Avery Jesewitz and libero Bianca Nistor. One of the biggest returners is junior middle Katie Kelzenberg (George Mason). Wayzata has big challenges to remain in the upper half of the national rankings. MIRA COSTA CA: The Mustangs are going to take a big loss with setter Charlie Fuerbringer (Wisconsin) graduating. They lose other parts in middles Bryn Shankle (TCU) and Rachel Moglia, as well as right sides Nora Williams (UCR) and Chloe Hynes (NYU). It’s going to create a new look, but the returning players could keep Mira Costa in the Top 10 in 2024. The top-two kill leaders are sophomore outsides Audrey Flanagan and Simone Roslon. Also back is junior libero Taylor Deckert (USC). That provides a great building block. Sophomore setters Milly McGee and Reese Stringer are also going to be part of the mix that should keep Mira Costa churning along. ASSUMPTION KY: This is a program that always finds a way to be competitive and typically finishes in at least the Top 20 in national rankings. Next season should be no different despite key seniors in outsides Charlotte Moriarty (Xavier) and Chloe Smith (Wofford). That’s an area that’s going to need to get sorted out. However, there are other pieces in place like junior middle Bailey Blair (Ohio), junior libero Kristen Simon (Wisconsin), junior outside Emma Barnett, junior setter Emilee Fuller and sophomore defensive specialist Emily Keiran. MOTHER MCAULEY IL: The Macs were among the schools who returned a bunch in 2023. That won’t be the case in 2024. Outside Ellie White (Michigan), middle Ellery Rees (Alabama) and libero Samantha Falk (Loyola-Chicago) are going to be missed.

It’s official! Mater Dei of California is the vballrecruiter.com 2023 High School National Champion. You can read about Mater Dei’s season and why the Monarchs finished this fall as the best high school team in the country. With most of the states wrapped up, there was very little movement in our final Top 50 of the year. With Mater Dei winning the CA Open Division state final and Grand Oaks taking home the Texas 6A state title, there was no change in the Top 10. The biggest change came with Cinco Ranch, which lost to Grand Oaks in the 6A state final, moving up from No. 29 to No. 13 after a strong campaign. Cinco Ranch was No. 29 last week because it had a prior loss to Harlan. But after beating Harlan in the 6A semis, Cinco Ranch shot up in our final rankings. There was only one new school cracking the rankings. With Mercy winning the Michigan Division 1 state final, it knocked Northville from the Top 50. As a result, Lake Travis TX ends the year in the Top 50. You can view the full final rankings below. vballrecruiter.com’S FINAL TOP 50 NATIONAL HS RANKINGS 1. Mater Dei CA 43-2 (1 – previous ranking) 2. Hamilton Southeastern IN 33-0 (2) 3. Prestonwood Christian TX 36-4 (3) 4. Grand Oaks TX 50-1 (4) 5. Cathedral Catholic CA 34-5 (5) 6. Wayzata MN 34-0 (6) 7. Mira Costa CA 39-4 (7) 8. Assumption KY 37-5 (8) 9. Mother McAuley IL 37-5 (9) 10. Benet Academy IL 39-3 (10) *** 11. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI 47-1 (11) 12. O’Connor AZ 34-1 (12) 13. Cinco Ranch TX 38-5 (29) 14. Lincoln Southwest NE 33-4 (13) 15. Middle Creek NC 26-1 (14) 16. Lake Catholic OH 29-0 (16) 17. Archbishop Mitty CA 33-5 (15) 18. Kings OH 28-1 (18) 19. St. Francis/Mountain View CA 35-6 (17) 20. Papillion-La Vista NE 26-16 (19) *** 21. Papillion-La Vista South NE 35-2 (20) 22. Mill Valley KS 37-5 (21) 23. Marist IL 33-5 (22) 24. Notre Dame Academy KY 35-7 (23) 25. Sierra Canyon CA 34-9 (24) 26. Blue Valley North KS 38-4 (25) 27. Harlan TX 44-6 (26) 28. Dike-New Hartford IA 50-0 (27) 29. Valor Christian CO 29-0 (28) 30. Oconomowoc WI 41-4 (30) *** 31. Seaman KS 38-6 (31) 32. St. Thomas Aquinas KS 31-9 (32) 33. Lafayette MO 36-2 (33) 34. Dripping Springs TX 48-7 (34) 35. Maize South KS 38-5 (35) 36. St. James Academy KS 33-6 (36) 37. Cornerstone Christian TX 34-7 (37) 38. Carrollwood Day FL 31-2 (38) 39. North Branch MI 56-4 (46) 40. Foothill CA 37-2 (40) *** 41. Branson CA 28-5 (41) 42. Lone Peak UT 28-5 (42) 43. Plant FL 25-3 (43) 44. Berkeley Prep FL 20-6 (44) 45. Pace Academy GA 37-3 (45) 46. Alpharetta GA 38-3 (47) 47. Skyridge UT 28-2 (48) 48. Glenbard West IL 35-4 (49) 49. Pope GA 39-4 (50) 50. Lake Travis TX 44-6 (n/r) *** ON THE CUSP Huntington Beach CA Mercy MI Forest Hills Northern MI Perry AZ Xavier Prep AZ St. Josepha Academy OH Olentangy Orange OH Winter Park FL St. Thomas Aquinas FL Kamehameha HI Punahou HI Bishop Gorman NV McGill-Toolen AL Mountain Brook AL Cox Mill NC *** Past vballrecruiter.com National Champions: 2022: Cathedral Catholic CA