The National Freshman of the Year is
Peyton Heatherly of
Mother McAuley (Chicago). Volleyball is in her blood with Peyton's sister starring at Memphis and her mother, grandmother and aunts running 1st Alliance, one of the strongest club programs in the country.
But stepping into the varsity lineup as a freshman to set MaxPreps All-American and Michigan commit
Ellie White is a big ask.
"She told me she wanted to play with the best players and learn from them," Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld said. "From the start of the season to the end, Peyton progressed pretty quickly in the setting role and we were very impressed with her decision-making and ability to think in high-pressure situations."
The Mighty Macs started in a 6-2 (two setters), but soon switched to a 5-1 with Heatherly as the lone facilitator. She ended the season with 737 assists, 484 to the All-American White as McAuley went 37-5, won the Class 4A state title and finished No. 10 nationally.
"Peyton was always up for the challenge and never shied away from our coaching or our expectations," DeJarld said.
Rogers led the Grizzlies to a Class 6A title, going 50-1 with a No. 2 finish in the MaxPreps Top 25. It was just the fifth year of the school's existence.
Rogers, however, is not new to building a winning program having led Tomball Memorial multiple postseason appearances after taking over the new program in 2011.
The trip with Grand Oaks was a bit sweeter with the title capping a magical season in which
Halle Thompson and
Samara Coleman landed on the MaxPreps All-America Team.
The Grizzlies needed a thrilling five-set state semifinal win over Prosper in which they were down 0-2 before winning the third set 28-26 and fifth 15-12. After escaping the Eagles, Rogers' squad completed their journey with a sweep of Cinco Ranch.
"I stood there for a second with my head in my hands and I just thought ‘Wow, this actually happened’ as I took it all in," Rogers told
VYPE.com after winning the title. "We talk about doing it and having those expectations in that pressure, but when it’s finally there, and doing it the way we did – fighting and clawing back – it was overwhelming. I know that was the way our eleven seniors wanted to go out, so I was just so happy and proud of them."
Read on for a complete look at this year's MaxPreps Freshman All-Americans.
5-10 | Outside hitterThe MVP of the Class 5A tournament helped the 34-10 Leopards to their 10th state title. She led the team with 424 kills in 128 sets while adding 564 serve receptions and 365 digs.
Malorie Boesiger, Norris (Firth, Neb.)
5-9 | SetterDished up 1,093 assists as her Titan squad went 33-4 and reached the Class B title game. Boesiger added 76 aces and 218 digs.
Claire Bundy, Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas)
5-5 | SetterThe 40-11 Panthers reached the Class 5A state semifinals as she led the team with 954 assists (6.2 per set). She added 201 digs and 41 aces in 154 sets.
Emerson Butler, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
6-0 | Setter, Opposite hitterThe Chaparrals went 36-12, reaching the Class 6A regional quarterfinals as Butler led the team with 778 assists (10.1 per set). She added 147 digs, 44 kills and 15 blocks.
Carson Caraway, Jackson Academy (Jackson, Miss.)
6-2 | Outside, opposite hitterDropped 481 kills as the 35-13 Raiders won their fifth straight MAIS title. She added 353 digs, 85 blocks and 121 assists.
Lydia Chinchar, Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.)
6-1 | Outside hitterHelped the Patriots (31-2) win the 3A title and finish ranked No. 17 nationally. She pounded 573 kills (6.3 per set) with 67 blocks playing alongside sister
Naomi (924 assists) and for father Doug.
Siena Ebert, Hockaday (Dallas, Texas)
5-10 | LiberoThe Daisies won the Southwest Prep 4A title as Ebert had 580 digs and 658 serve receptions. She added 53 aces for 29-13 Hockaday, which played a national schedule.
Lauren Garcia, Reagan (San Antonio)
5-10 | Setter, outside hitterLed the team in assists with 798 while adding a second-best 428 kills as the Rattlers went 33-13. She added 375 digs and 54 aces.
NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Peyton Heatherly, Mother McAuley (Chicago)
5-10 | SetterHelped the Mighty Macs to their 17th state championship with 737 assists. McAuley went 37-5, won the Class 4A state title and finished No. 10 nationally.
Emma Kingston, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
6-4 | Middle blockerA wall in the middle, she posted 125 blocks in 110 sets for the MaxPreps National Champions. She added 113 kills as Mater Dei went 34-2.
Led the Gators in kills with 269 in 71 sets as her squad went 27-6 and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals. Larkin added 251 serve receptions, 195 digs and 20 aces.
Mckenna McIntosh, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.)
6-1 | Outside hitterThe Rams' leading hitter with 425 kills helped her team to a 32-3 record in a tough Sac-Joaquin Section and Northern California field. She added 349 serve receptions, 199 digs and 50 aces.
Hanna McGinest, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
5-10 | Outside hitterSecond on the team with 279 kills in 106 sets, the daughter of former NFL player Willie McGinest helped her team to a 35-9 record. She added 208 digs, 29 aces and 38 blocks.
Sophee Peterson, Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
5-10 | SetterLed the team with 721 assists while adding 127 kills in 108 sets. The Bobcats went 32-5 as Peterson added 314 digs and 41 aces.
Elly Randolph, Reagan (Pfafftown, N.C.)
6-2 | Outside hitterA second-team all-state nod by the state coaches' association, she led the 34-1 Raiders to a 4A semifinal berth. Randolph added 114 digs, 28 blocks and 20 assists.
Reagan Wallraff, Elkhorn North (Elkhorn, Neb.)
6-0 | Middle blockerPounded 424 kills in 98 sets for the 29-8 Wolves, who reached the Class B semifinals.
