MaxPreps 2017 preseason high school All-American volleyball teams

Video: Preseason volleyball rankings
MaxPreps host Myckena Guerrero breaks down the top volleyball teams heading into 2017.

Six players who were named to last year's preseason team highlight the 2017 MaxPreps Preseason Volleyball All-American team.

The six — Nicklin Hames, Haley Warner, Yvette Burescu, Thayer Hall, Erin O'Leary and Ella May Powell — were named All-Americans at the end of the 2016 season as well.

O'Leary was the MaxPreps 2016 National Junior Player of the Year and Ellie Holzman (Mt. Carmel of New Orleans) the 2016 National Sophomore Player of the Year, are both on the 2017 preseason team.

All total, 35 players from 21 states have been selected for the 2017 preseason team. Included are nine juniors and 23 seniors and nine players who were named their state's Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.

California leads the list with five players, followed by Illinois four.

Three high schools — Fayetteville (Ark.), Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.) and Minooka, (Ill.), have two players each selected to this year's squad.

First team

MB — Ellie Holzman, Mt. Carmel (New Orleans), 6-2, Jr.
Holzman was the only sophomore named to last year's at large All-American team. During the Cubs' 41-11 season, Holzman averaged 4.8 kills, 2.3 blocks, 3.9 digs and 2.5 serve receptions per set. In Mt. Carmel's state-title winning game she had 26 kills, 26 digs and 12 blocks. She was named the Times Picayune's Large School Player of the Year and was named MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. The Louisiana 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year has committed to Illinois.

MH — Alana Hruska, RHAM (Hebron, Conn.), 6-2, Sr.
Hruska hit 62.4 percent and averaged 5.4 kills in leading the Sachems to the state L title. She was the tournament MVP with a kill percentage over 70 percent. She averaged better than a block per set during the regular season and served for 244 points in 101 sets. She was honored as Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year.

OH — Haley Warner, Fayetteville (Ark.), 6-2, Sr.
Warner was Most Valuable Player of the Class 7A state tournament as Fayetteville won its second straight 7A state title. Last season, she totaled 421 kills in 98 sets to go with 68 blocks, 274 digs and 20 aces. She is a three-time All-State selection and was named Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year as a freshman. Committed to Florida, she was a member of the U.S. Youth National Team and is a three-time MaxPreps All-American.

OH — Charley Niego, Mother McAuley (Chicago), 6-1, Sr.
Niego led the Mighty Macs to a 40-1 season, a 4A state title and the 2016 MaxPreps national title. She recorded 498 kills, 473 digs, 69 blocks and 25 aces. In games against Kentucky powers Assumption, Mercy and Notre Dame Academy, she excelled with 81 kills (10.1 average) and 60 digs in eight sets. All Mother McAuley victories. Committed to Notre Dame, Niego was the Chicago Times Daily Southtown Player of the Year.

OH — Alli Papesh, Minooka (Ill.), 6-1, Sr.
Papesh had a 50.4 kill percentage, averaged 4.5 kills per set to go along with a block per set and served for 234 points with a 92.5 average. She also averaged 3.0 digs per set and led the Indians to a 4A finals appearance against Mother McAuley. Named the Morris Herald-News Player of the Year, Papesh had two 20-kill performances, 19 double-digit kill performances, 85 blocks and 45 aces. She has committed to Dayton.

OH — Taylor Rowland, Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.), 6-3, Sr.
Rowland led Cox Mill to the 3A title and was named the state's top player in the process. For the 2016 season, she had a kill ratio of 60.5 (5.1 per set), served 43 aces, averaged two digs and serve receptions per set. Rowland, who committed to Auburn, helped the Chargers to a 34-0 season and a high national ranking.

OH — Thayer Hall, Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 6-2, Sr.
Hall led Dorman to the 5A state title and a 46-2 record when she killed 608 shots (5.0 average) at a 50-percent rate. Hall also served 50 aces for 283 points and had a 91.5 percent serving average. Add 420 digs and 442 serve receptions and you get the state Player of the Year for a second-straight season. She was a member of the 2016 Women's Junior National Team and has committed to Florida.

OH — Allison Martinez, Westridge (Pasadena, Calif.), 5-10, Sr.
Committed to Long Beach State, Martinez created one third of all of Westridge's points last season when she averaged more than 7.0 kills per set eight times, finishing with 520 overall. She had 37 kills against Los Altos, 32 against Monrovia, 34 against Ramona and 21 in the CIF State Southern California semifinals against Claremont. She also served 35 aces, had 38 blocks and 173 digs.

OH — Yvette Burcescu, Panas (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.), 6-2, Sr.
A four-year varsity performer, Burcescu owns the program's single-season kill (762, 6.0 per set average, 51.9 kill percentage) and career kill (1,496) marks. She was named first team All-State as well as the Lohud Journal News Player of the Year. Burcescu led Panas (45-7) to Class A section and regional titles, and to its first state finals appearance. The Panthers won three regular-season tournaments in 2016, with Burcescu taking home MVP honors each time. She has committed to Virginia.

S — Erin O'Leary, Novi (Mich.), 5-10, Sr.
A three-time MaxPreps honoree and another Michigan pledge, O'Leary was first team Class A All-State, and led Novi to back-to-back A Division state titles. In 2016, she dished out 9.2 assists per set as Novi won 52 of 53 matches and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally. She is a 2016 member of the U.S. Girls' Youth National Team. O'Leary was the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year.

S — Devon Chang, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 5-11, Sr.
Chang not only averaged 11.2 assists (1,207 overall), but she also served at a 96.7 percent rate and blocked better than one shot per set. She led the Eagles to a 38-5 record and the finals of the first ever California Open Division state tournament. In 15 matches this season, she averaged better than a dozen assists per set. A finalist for MaxPreps 2016 National Junior Player of the Year, Chang has committed to California.

S — Ella May Powell, Fayetteville (Ark.), 6-0, Sr.
Powell led Fayetteville to another state title in 2016 when she recorded 298 digs (3.0 per set), 124 kills and 917 assists (9.4 per set). She also served for 286 points and 75 aces (92.7 percentage). Powell, a 2016 member of the U.S. Girls' Youth National Team, should surpass 3,000 assists in her senior season. Powell, who has committed to Washington, also has an Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year honor like her teammate Haley Warner.

S — Shannon Williams, Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Broadview Heights, Ohio), 5-8, Sr.
Williams led the Bees to the state large school title by averaging 14.1 assists per set — the second highest average nationally for players who competed in more than 50 sets. She also averaged two kills and three digs per set and served for 245 points on 95.7 serving percentage. Her lowest assist-per-set average in a match during the season was 11 and in the state tournament, she averaged 15, including 17.3 in the final two matches. Williams has committed to North Carolina State.

A-A — Nicklin Hames, Webb (Knoxville, Tenn.), 5-11, Sr.
Hames has led Webb to four-straight 2A state titles. As a junior, she had 455 kills, 933 assists, 471 digs and 111 service aces, helping the Spartans finish 43-8. She has committed to Nebraska. Hames also is a member of the USA Junior Girls National team.

A-A — Grace Frohling, Marymount (Los Angeles), 6-5, Jr.
Frohling, who transferred from a 2015 Oklahoma state championship team in 2016, made an immediate impact with the Sailors: 620 assists (5.7 per set average), 256 kills (2.3 average) and served for 203 points. She has committed to the University of San Diego.

A-A — Brooke Nuneviller, Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), 5-11, Sr.
Nuneviller led Corona del Sol to a 39-5 record and the 6A Conference state championship in 2016. She was chosen as the Gatorade Arizona Volleyball Player of the Year. Nuneviller had 361 kills, 315 digs, 50 aces and 35 blocks during the season. She has committed to Arizona and is a member of the USA Junior Girls National team.

L — CC McGraw, Prior Lake (Minn.), 5-9, Jr.
Committed to Minnesota, McGraw led Prior Lake to a 22-7 season where she recorded 502 digs (6.1 per set average). She was named first team All-State and was the lone junior on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's 2016 All-Metro team. Second Team

MB — Emma Funk, Our Lady Academy (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), 5-10, Sr.
In 111 sets a year ago, Funk had 748 kills (6.7 per set average) and a national-leading .638 percent. She also blocked 89 shots as the Crescents went 33-6 and won the state C1 state title. In 20 sets this season, she has a kill percentage of 69.1 and 132 kills as OLA is 6-1. The returning MaxPreps All-American is also averaging 1.5 blocks per set and was Mississippi's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2016.

MB — Kendall Kipp, Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.), 6-4, Jr.
As a sophomore, Kipp led the Sea Kings to their 11th consecutive Pacific Coast League title. Kipp, a member of the All-Orange County and All-Pacific Coast League teams, recorded 235 kills, 26 blocks and 33 aces. She's a member of the USA Girls Junior National team.

OH — Adanna Rollins, Hebron (Carrollton, Texas), 6-2, Sr.
Committed to Minnesota, Rollins was the MVP of the Class 6A state championship match as Hebron repeated as state champions. Rollins was named All-State after finishing the season with a team-leading 540 kills and 284 digs for her 46-6 team.

OH — Riley Zuhn, Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, Colo.), 6-5, Sr.
Committed to Nebraska, Zuhn averaged 3.9 kills and served 49 aces as the Sabercats won the state large school title. The returning MaxPreps All-American was named first team All-State in 2016.

OH — Keeley Davis, Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 6-2, Sr.
Colorado's top 5A player and Denver Post Player of the Year, Davis led Rock Canyon to the state semifinals and a 25-3 season in 2016 when she averaged 4.2 kills, 3.0 digs and 3.2 serve receptions per set. She also blocked 73 shots and served 92.7 percent. She is committed to Creighton.

OH — Paige Jones, New Bremen (Ohio), 6-0, Sr.
A first team All-State selection, Jones was named the District and Region player of the year after averaging a national best 8.8 kills for a 23-4 team that reached the regional finals. She also served for 121 (1.4 per set average) aces, recorded 2.8 digs and 4.8 serve receptions in 89 sets. She has committed to Michigan.

OH — Kenzie Knuckles, Yorktown (Ind.), 5-9, Jr.
Knuckles had 30 kills in the state 3A title championship game as Yorktown finished the season 37-1 and ranked No. 7 in the 2016 MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Rankings. Knuckles, who has committed to Nebraska, finished with 467 kills (4.3 per set average) and 397 digs (3.6) and 60 aces as the Tigers won their final 27 matches. She was a finalist for the MaxPreps National Sophomore Player of the Year.

OH — Madeline Chinn, Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac, Mich.), 6-3, Jr.
Chinn led the Fighting Irish to a 52-win season when she averaged 4.5 kills (51.3 kill percent), 2.8 digs and 2.1 serve receptions a year ago. Chinn also served for 90 aces and 303 points and blocked 146 shots in 152 sets. She was a first team All-State honoree.

OH — Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, 'Iolani (Honolulu), 6-0, Sr.
The Missouri-bound Ka'aha'aina-Torres averaged 4.7, 3.3 digs and 3.5 serve receptions as a junior. In leading the Raiders to an 18-0 start as a senior, she is averaging 5.3 kills, 2.9 digs and 5.5 serve receptions.

S — Carly Graham, Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas), 6-0, Sr.
Named the All-Greater Houston Volleyball Player of the Year, Graham recorded 1,416 assists (10 per set average), 483 digs and 307 kills, helping the War Eagles win 48 consecutive wins. She has committed to Rice.

S — Marlie Monserez, Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.), 6-0, Sr.
Committed to Florida, Monserez had 67 aces, 354 assists, 206 digs and 168 kills as Bishop Moore captured a consecutive 5A state championship in 2017.

S — Selina Xu, Menlo School (Atherton, Calif.), 6-0, Jr.
Xu led Menlo to the state D4 championship when she averaged two kills, two digs and 5.5 assists per set.  She also served for 188 points. In the state title match, she had 12 kills, 12 digs and 19 assists. She's a member of the USA Junior Girls National team.

S — Nancy Kane, Mother McAuley, 5-11, Jr.
Kane averaged 11.7 assists and 3.2 digs per set as McAuley went 40-1 to win the state large school championship and the MaxPreps national championship. She also served for 40 aces and 295 points.

A-A — Andrea O'Connor, Stamford (Conn.), 6-1, Sr.
O'Connor was MVP in both the league and state finals (both victories), as the Black Knights finished 23-3 in 2016. She finished with 594 kills (6.0 per set), 148 blocks (1.6 per set), 198 service points and 21 aces.

A-A — Samantha Gioiosa, Bogota (N.J.), 5-6, Sr.
Gioiosa is one of the shortest players on the preseason All-American squad at 5-6, but one of the biggest leapers with one of the biggest arms. She averaged 7.7 kills per set a year ago as Bogota won the Public Group 1 title and 28-of-32 matches. Her kill percentage was 58.1 percentage and she averaged 5.9 digs and serve receptions.

A-A — Madison Ladner, Hancock (Kiln, Miss.), 5-11, Sr.
Few, if any, had the all-around stats Ladner did as a junior. She compiled 409 kills, 773 assists, 171 digs, 161 aces, 113 blocks and 331 service points for Hancock, the Class III state champion.

A-A — Hawley Harrer, Sisters (Ore.), 6-2, Sr.
Committed to UCLA, Harrer was the state 4A Player of the Year after leading the Outlaws to the state title. She hits (5-plus kills per set), she set (5-plus assists per set), she serves (an ace per set) and she blocks (a block per set).

L — Taylor Baranski, Minooka (Ill.) 5-6, Jr.
Baranski averaged 6.2 digs per set as Indians reached the state 4A finals. She was first team All-State and has committed to Iowa State.