There’s just over a month left before the high school season comes to a close. With the state playoffs still ahead, there’s plenty of time left for players to leave a lasting impression. Last month we checked in on freshmen making huge impacts for their respective teams. Once more we take a look at ninth-graders who are making big-time contributions so far with 11 standout freshmen featured in our HS Player Spotlight below.
Gentry Barker OH Lovejoy TX: Barker has burst on the scene for the Leopards. The 4-star recruit was part of TAV 14 Black’s 14 Open gold medal performance at USAV GJNC in Chicago and is currently leading the team in kills. She has 289 kills, averaging 3.2 per set. She’s also second in digs with 263, averaging 2.9 per set. She also has a team-high 36 aces. She sent down a season-best 19 kills in a four-set victory over Plano West in early September.
Kate Kalczynski OH Mercy MI: Kalczynski – a 3-star recruit who played for Legacy last spring – is another freshman leading the way. She’s put up a team-best 280 kills. She’s averaging 3.8 per set. It’s more than the next two kill leaders combined. She too is second on the roster in digs with 152 and leads with 39 aces. She swung for a season-high 20 kills in a four-set victory against Marian in last week. She also had a season-best 11 digs in that match.
Reagan Wallraff MB Elkhorn North NE: A 4-star recruit who was part of Arizona Storm 14 Thunder’s silver-medal effort in Chicago this past summer, Wallraff has moved to Nebraska since and is starring for Elkhorn North. She has a team-high 297 kills, averaging 4.3 per set and is hitting .428. She also leads the team in blocks with 55. Among her best outings was a season-best 18 kills and hitting .500 in a sweep of Hastings in late August. She also had 18 kills in a sweep against Millard North in September.
Malorie Boesiger S Norris NE: Boesiger is another freshman in the state of Nebraska having a tremendous season. The 4-star recruit played up two age groups for Nebraska One 16 Synergy’s bronze medal group this past club season and is making waves for the Titans this fall. She’s dished out 782 assists, averaging 11.5 per set. She also leads the roster with 58 aces. She’s had at least 19 assists in every outing so far, including a season-high 49 in a four-set victory against Waverly in September. It was one of two times she’s surpassed 40 assists, as she had 46 in a sweep over Elkhorn North this week.
Morgan Meiring OH Bishop Fenwick OH: It’s been a strong rookie season for Meiring, a 4-star recruit who suited up for Elevation this past club season. She’s been the featured piece in the attack. She leads with 303 kills and is averaging 4.4 per set. Five times she’s recorded 20 or more kills. She had a season-best 25 winners and hit .327 in a five-set loss to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in early September.
Lucy Ripley MB Oconto Falls WI: A 6-1 middle blocker, Ripley has made a sizeable impact for the Panthers. A 3-star recruit who played at FC Elite, she’s second in kills with 277 and is averaging 2.8 per set while hitting .304. She has a team-leading 60 blocks, which is more than the next two leaders combined. She put away a season-high 15 kills and hit .545 in a five-set loss against Luxemburg-Casco in mid-September.
Ryah Brock OH Roosevelt CA: Brock – a 4-star recruit who was a big part of Forza1 North’s success this past club season – is a key part of what the Mustangs are doing offensively this fall. Her 263 kills leads the way. She’s averaging 3.7 per set. She powered down a season-best 20 kills in a five-set defeat to Santiago last week. She also had 16 kills and hit .565 in a three-set victory over Orange Lutheran in September.
Peyton Kubik OH Blue Valley West KS: A 5-star recruit who swung and set for MAVS KC this past club year, Kubik has been an offensive force for the Jaguars. She’s making the switch to Dynasty this coming club year. In the meantime, she’s tops on the team with 308 kills, averaging 4.4 per set. Her best match came in a four-set victory over Blue Valley when she sent down a season-high 21 kills.
Emerson Butler S Westlake TX: An injury cost Butler significant playing time this season but the 6-0, 3-star recruit has been nails when healthy. Despite playing in less than half of her team’s total sets, Butler has showed her value when in the lineup with 494 assists, averaging 9.7 per set. She started the season on fire before missing nearly a month. She delivered a season-high 56 assists in a five-set triumph over Stony Point in mid-August. She also had matches of 44 and 43 dimes in mid-August.
Emma Kingston MB Mater Dei CA: A 6-4, 3-star recruit who was a starting middle for Tstreet 14 Carson in the spring, Kingston has contributed to the top-ranked Monarchs’ success to date. Though she hasn’t been a vital part of the attack, she does have 91 kills and is averaging 1.1 per set. However, she’s brought plenty of value on the defensive side with her blocking. She has a team-leading 77 and is averaging 0.9 per set. It includes a season-high 8 stuffs in a four-set victory against Orange Lutheran in September.
Shaye Witherspoon RS Lafayette MO: Witherspoon has contributed nicely for the 26-2 Lancers. The 6-2, 5-star recruit played for Rockwood Thunder during club and is having a solid freshman campaign. She’s third in kills with 144, averaging 2.2 per set and hitting .303. She’s also second in blocks with 61. She had a season-best 11 kills and hit .647 in a victory over Kickapoo in early September.
