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 WI
Anabelle Schembra S Center Grove IN
Ava Burgess OH Lone Peak UT
Brianna Napoles OH Doral Academy FL
Brooke Friesen S/RS Sprague OR
Calli LeFevre OH Marian MI
Caroline Ward OH Tri-West Hendricks IN
Carson Caraway OH Jackson Academy MS
Catherine Williams S St. Croix Falls WI
Destinee Chukelu MB Blessed Trinity GA
***
Ellyson Randolph OH Reagan NC
Emery Gonzales S Torrey Pines CA
Emma Kingston MB Mater Dei CA
Gentry Barker OH Lovejoy TX
Georgia Lemay OH Bishop Miege KS
Grace Goodyke OH Grand Rapids Christian MI
Hanna McGinest OH Sierra Canyon CA
Isabel Incinelli MB Winter Park FL
Kate Kalczynski OH Mercy MI
Kendall Omoruyi MB Sunnyslope AZ
***
Lauren Forelli OH Liberty AZ
Lina Wang OH McIntosh GA
Louise Neuhart OH Virginia Academy VA
Lydia Chinchar RS Carrollwood Day FL
Mallory Wandel OH Rockford MI
Malorie Boesiger S Norris NE
Mariah Akinsola MB Reedy TX
Marissa Jones S Woodward Academy GA
Marlie Smith S/RS Clarkston MI
Mazie Sweers S/RS Pleasant Valley IA
***
McKenna McIntosh OH St. Mary’s CA
Mia Ray OH North Gwinnett GA
Nafanua Alofipo S/RS Skyline UT
Natalie Norton OH Pantego Christian TX
Nora Herian MB Pierce NE
Nyla Livings MB Prestonwood Christian TX
Olivia Henry OH Fieldston NY
Peyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley IL
Peyton Kubik OH Blue Valley West KS
Reagan Wallraff MB Elkhorn North NE
***
Riley Hake OH Legend CO
Riley Riggs OH Mill Valley KS
Sophia Puleo OH Academy Holy Names FL
Sophia Dostic S Plant FL
Tessa Larkin OH Xavier Prep AZ
Westley Matavao OH Orange Lutheran CA
Zamari Christensen S Woods Cross UT
