These players starred as underclassmen and are ready to carry the load.
Video: Xcellent 25 Volleyball RankingsWatch the Top 25 volleyball teams in the nation.The 2015 state volleyball leaders in blocks and digs return for the 2016 campaign, according to statistics compiled by MaxPreps.
Ellie Breeden, now a senior at St. Michael's (Santa Fe), paced the state last year with 167 blocks. Right behind her was another junior,
Annabelle Kubinski of La Cueva (Albuquerque), with 157 blocks. Half of the top 20, in fact, are back with hopes of even more domination this fall.
Senior
Lexie Jackson of Farmington led the state last year as a junior with 705 digs. Still now just a junior,
Taylor Smythe (Estancia) was a distant runner-up with 637.
The highest-ranked player in kills who returns is No. 5
Rose Moon, now just a sophomore from Santa Fe Waldorf (Santa Fe), with 351.
In assists, the top returnee is junior
Sarah Skillman of Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque), who placed sixth as a sophomore with 717.
Listed below are 2015 finish, name, school, class and statistical category:
BLOCKS
1. Ellie Breeden,
St. Michael's (Santa Fe), senior, 167
2. Annabelle Kubinski,
La Cueva (Albuquerque), junior, 157
4.
Celeste Carmignani, La Cueva (Albuquerque), senior, 124
6.
Vanessa Chavez,
Aztec, senior, 116
8.
Alex Veyna,
Tularosa, junior, 105
10.
Gracie Hooten, Tularosa, senior, 103.
15.
Sierra Moya, St. Michael's (Santa Fe), junior, 87
16.
Miranda Canez,
Hope Christian (Albuquerque, N.M.), senior, 87
18.
Abbey Willison,
Sandia (Albuquerque, N.M.), senior, 84
20. Ariana Rodriguez,
Monte Del Sol Charter (Santa Fe, N.M.), senior, 84
DIGS
1. Lexie Jackson,
Farmington, senior, 705
2.
Taylor Smythe,
Estancia, junior, 637
4. Natasha Largo,
Bloomfield, senior, 523
6.
Alexandra Lackner,
St. Pius X (Albuquerque), senior, 419
14.
Cassandra Vickery, Tularosa, senior, 359
15.
Kara Foreman,
Mesilla Valley Christian School (Las Cruces), senior, 352
17.
Hannah Nunley, Mesilla Valley Christian (Las Cruces), senior, 344
22.
Amy Gardner, Mesilla Valley Christian (Las Cruces), senior, 329
23.
Emily Gonzales,
Moriarty, senior, 329
24.
Leah DeAguero,
Espanola Valley (Espanola), senior, 329
KILLS5. Rose Moon,
Santa Fe Waldorf (Santa Fe), sophomore, 351
12. Brandee Fulgenzi,
Robertson (Las Vegas), junior, 296
13. Hannah Nunley, Mesilla Valley Christian (Las Cruces), senior, 294
14.
Tori Salazar,
Escalante (Tierra Amarilla), senior,293
16. Alexis Benda,
Onate (Las Cruces), senior, 280
17.
Catherine Kelly,
Sandia Prep (Albuquerque), junior, 277
19.
Miranda Jaramillo,
Los Lunas, senior, 241
21.
Reagan Carthel,
Melrose, senior, 237
24.
Julianna Zamora, St. Pius X (Albuquerque), senior, 225
26. Talia Paytiamo,
Laguna Acoma (New Laguna), senior, 224
ASSISTS6. Sarah Skillman,
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.), junior, 717
9. Amia Cressman, Santa Fe Waldorf (Santa Fe), junior, 632
10.
Jaelynn Guajardo,
Volcano Vista (Albuquerque), senior, 624
12.
Leah Weathers,
Goddard (Roswell), senior, 598
13.
Mirabelle Kinberger, Sandia Prep (Albuquerque), junior, 557
15.
Melique Vinyard,
Magdalena, junior, 490
18.
Jadyn Nanez,
Centennial (Las Cruces), senior, 467
19.
Kayla Griego, St. Pius X (Albuquerque), senior, 464
20.
Miquela Martinez, St. Michael's (Santa Fe), sophomore, 450
22.
Victoria Valdez, Escalante (Tierra Amarilla), senior, 434
