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Last week we presented our list of the vballrecruiter.com Senior Player of the Year Candidates. This go around, we have narrowed the list down to 25 Player of the Year Finalists. It’s a select list, one that was difficult to make given the criteria we were looking for. It’s not totally impossible to be considered as a finalist if a player didn’t lead their team in a statistical category, but the contributions have to be significant and undeniable. It’s one way of gauging a player’s impact for the season. Another determining factor was overall team success. Given the number of seniors listed as candidates, to be chosen as a finalist their respective team needed to win a state championship or the equivalent of given some programs can be independent. It’s a tough standard, one that eliminated plenty of talented players who are headed to top Division 1 programs. At the same time, it’s a team sport and using winning a state championship as a measure is one way to honor it. We’ll select the eventual Senior Player of the Year winner from the list of finalists below, presented in alphabetical order by first name. Abby Yoder S Kings OH: A 3-star Ohio State commit, Yoder was a key player as Kings took home the Ohio Division 1 state championship. She racked up 1,057 assists, averaging 10.7 per set while finishing second in aces with 76. She had her share of monster performances, including a season-best 61 assists in a five-set victory over Seton in late September. Twice more she surpassed 55 assists and had five more outings of at least 40 assists. She’s one of 11 setters in the running for our Senior Player of the Year award. Alex Bower S Skyview ID: Bower orchestrated the offense as Skyview finished the year as the Idaho 4A state champion. Bower – a 5-star BYU commit – is a high IQ setter who ended her senior campaign with 862 assists, averaging 8.6 per set. She was also second in both blocks and aces. She set her season high of 40 assists in a five-set loss to Maple Mountain UT in late August. She had an additional 12 matches of at least 30 assists or more. Alyssa Nelson S Lafayette MO: Nelson is another setter who proved herself worthy of being a Senior Player of the Year finalist. The 3-star Villanova commit had an impressive year, totaling 1,036 assists and averaging 10.1 per set as Lafayette claimed its second consecutive Missouri 4A state championship. She also led the roster with 61 aces. She had her biggest performances in October, including a season-high 48 assists in a five-set victory against Marquette. Her best match was arguably dishing out 44 assists in a three-set victory over Eureka a week prior. Avery Scoggins S Middle Creek NC: With Scoggins running the show, Middle Creek captured its first-ever North Carolina 4A state championship. The Arizona signee registered 919 assists. She averaged 9.9 per set while finished second in blocks and third in digs. Scoggins had six matches with at least 43 assists or more. It included her season-best 49 dimes in a four-set victory over Apex Friendship in October. She also had 48 assists in the state semifinal triumph against Green Hope and 33 in the state final sweep of Cox Mill. Bethanie Wu S Lovejoy TX: The Leopards proved themselves the best in 5A as they claimed the state championship. Wu – a 4-star Yale commit – directed a balanced attack in amassing 1,317 assists. She averaged 10.1 per set while also leading the team in aces. Wu’s best outing was a season-high 61 assists in a four-set victory over Whitehouse in early November. She had two more matches of at least 54 assists and six more of at least 41. Charlotte Moriarty OH Assumption KY: Moriarty played a vital part of Assumption going 37-5 and earning the Kentucky state championship. The Rockets also finished first at the LIVT tournament. As for Moriarty, a 3-star Xavier commit, she led the squad with 413 kills. She averaged 3.5 per set as well as ending first in aces, second in digs and third in blocks. She recorded a season-high 20 kills in a three-set loss to eventual national champion Mater Dei CA in the quarterfinals of the Durango Fall Classic. She delivered 18 kills in Assumption’s four-set victory over Notre Dame Academy in the state final. Clara Gyomory RS North Branch MI: It’s difficult to be a Player of the Year finalist without leading your team in kills as a hitter. However, Gyomory was just two kills shy of that accomplishment. The Northeastern commit tallied 513 winners while hitting an impressive .407. She was also one block shy of tying for the team lead while finishing second in aces. It’s clear to see the impact she made as North Branch repeated as the Michigan Division 2 state champ. Gyomory put away a season-best 28 kills in a five-set victory against Marysville in November. Delaney Russell OH Valor Christian CO: The Eagles finished as the Colorado 5A state champ with Russell leading the charge offensively. She totaled 383 kills while hitting .395. She was also second in aces and third in digs. The 3-star Montana commit had two of her three biggest matches in the state semifinals and finals. She had a season-high 30 kills in a five-set victory over Legend in early September and managed to put away 24 kills against the same opponent in the state semis. She followed that up with 24 more kills in the championship-clinching victory over Fossil Ridge in the final. Ellie White OH Mother McAuley IL: White – a 4-star Michigan commit – is among the favorites for Player of the Year. After all, she took home the award last year as a junior and once more powered the Macs to the 4A state championship. She finished with 484 kills, averaging 5.1 per set while also leading the team in aces.

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.