Fifteen high school volleyball players who have led their teams to
outstanding seasons comprise our MaxPreps National Player of the Year
watch list. The list includes preseason MaxPreps All-America team
members, repeat All-American honorees and a handful of players who have
played with USA Volleyball.
The watch list includes players from
teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 and others having amazing statistical
seasons. All are chasing league and state titles and could join Elia
Rubin, Paige Flickinger, Kenzie Knuckles and Lexi Sun as the MaxPreps
National Player of the Year.
Players not on the list are not
excluded from postseason honors consideration. However, these 15 players
are receiving the most recognition as teams begin their regular season
stretches and prepare for the postseason. Players are listed in
alphabetical order.
Isabel Clark, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Resume: The Monarchs sit atop the MaxPreps Top25 after their title over the weekend at the Durango Fall Classic. Head coach Dan O'Dell credits depth for the team's success but points to Clark for her leadership. She's leading the team with 237 kills and provides cover for their two other hitters with over 200 kills, Cymarah Gordon and sophomore Layli Ostovar.
Suli Davis, Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas)
Outside hitter | 6-foot-2 | Class of 2025 | Uncommitted
Resume: The Panthers' go-to hitter is in the top 5 in the nation with 512 kills (5.2 per set) along with 55 blocks and 311 digs for the reigning Texas 5A champions. She has more than 1,500 career kills, played with the USA Volleyball U19 team that won gold this summer and posted double-digit kills in 25 of 26 matches this season.
Charlie Fuerbringer, Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Setter | 5-11 | Class of 2024 | Uncommitted
Resume: Mira Costa ha been at or near the top of the MaxPreps Top 25 most of the season with their Swiss army knife at the helm. A natural setter and the daughter of two college All-Americans, she can blast the ball on the pin or run the offense with ease. Coach Cam Green said she might be the best player to ever set foot in the Mira Costa gym when all is said and done.
Megan Fitch, Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio)
Outside hitter | 6-1 | Class of 2025 | Uncommitted
Resume: Fitch stepped into the go-to hitter role left by the graduation of 2022 MaxPreps All-American Nayeli Gonzalez. She's tallied 244 kills along with 190 digs and a team-high 278 serve receives for the 28-3 Warriors.
Jenna Hanes, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Middle blocker | 6-3 | Class of 2024 | Michigan
Resume: The future Wolverine has stepped into a lead role for the reigning MaxPreps National Champions after the departure of National Player of the Year Julia Blyashov. She is a menace at the net on defense and finishes points with ferocity on offense with 171 kills this season for the 20-3 Dons. She has added 45 blocks.
Lauren Harden, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)
Outside hitter | 6-3 | Class of 2024 | Florida
Resume: The school's all-time kills leader with 1,125 and counting has the Royals at No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and unbeaten with a 57-game win streak dating back to last season. She led the Royals to the Indiana 4A title last season and has upped her game with 247 kills this season.
Sade Ilawole, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Setter | 5-2 | Class of 2024 | Uncommitted
Resume: The Trailblazers have been climbing up the rankings all season and sit at No. 9 after a strong showing at Durango. With nearly 600 assists, Ilawole runs the offense deftly finding a wealth of hitters like seniors Danich Rach and Madeline Way as well as freshman Hanna McGinest. Coach Stefanie Wigfall said her work ethic and grit allow her to play bigger than she is. Ilawole has 28 aces and 175 digs for a 22-4 Sierra Canyon squad that could be a problem in a crowded SoCal playoff field.
Lauren Medeck, Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.)
Outside hitter | 6-0 | Class of 2024 | South Dakota
Resume: She's only lost 11 times in her high school career as the Titans sit at 25-0 this season and No. 7 in the national conversation. She's pounded 258 kills on the year and should top 1,500 for her career shortly. She has 226 digs and 246 receives as PVLS rolls on toward Medeck's third title in four seasons.
Charlotte Moriarty, Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
Outside hitter | 5-11 | Class of 2024 | Xavier
Resume: Winners of 22 Kentucky state titles, the Rockets get everyone's best shot each night and the future Musketeer is front and center on the counterpunch. She has logged 191 kills as Assumption has played one of the toughest national schedules around and sits at No. 8 in the MaxPreps Top 25. Moriarty has added 210 serve receives and 178 digs for the 20-3 Rockets.
Skyler Pierce, Olathe Northwest (Olathe, Kan.)
Outside hitter/Defensive specialist | 6-3 | Class of 2024 | Nebraska
Resume: Hammered 191 kills for the 15-5 Ravens despite missing time early in the season while winning gold for the USA Volleyball U19 squad. A two-sport athlete who also shines on the basketball court, the future Husker is the No. 3-ranked player nationally by PrepDig.
Madison Quest, Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee)
Outside hitter | 6-3 | Class of 2025 | Wisconsin
Resume: The future Badger has gotten better each season with 351 and 514 kills in each of her first two seasons with DSHA. She's sitting on 284 kills so far in 2023 as her squad is 28-0 and No. 14 in the MaxPreps Top 25. She guided her team to a Division I state title last season and 42 kills in three wins over rival Oconomowoc.
Macaria Spears, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
Outside hitter | 6-3 | Class of 2025 | Uncommitted
Resume: A powerful hitter for one of the most talented teams in the country, she has led the Lions to the No. 7 spot in the nation with a 24-4 mark while taking on a national schedule. Spears has 220 kills this season (4 per set) and is deadly from the front or back row. The daughter of former Dallas Cowboy Marcus Spears was named the most outstanding attacker at this year's Volleypalooza as well as earning an all-tournament nod at Durango.
Halle Thompson, Grand Oaks (Spring, Texas)
Outside hitter | 6-3 | Class of 2026 | Uncommitted
Resume: The lone sophomore of the group, the Grizzlies are 35-1 this season and No. 4 nationally thanks in part to her maturation. As a freshman, she hammered 485 kills and has 265 so far this season. She has added 141 digs along with 32 blocks and 212 serve receives.
Charlotte Vinson, Yorktown (Ind.)
Outside hitter | 6-2 | Class of 2025 | Indiana
Resume: A two-time MaxPreps All-American, she is third in the nation in kills with 526 for the 18-5 Tigers. The future Hoosier has pounded double-digit kills in every match this season with a high of 39 in a five-set win over Noblesville on Sept. 23. She also has 210 digs, 42 aces and 275 receives.
Ellie White, Mother McAuley (Chicago)
Outside hitter | 5-11 | Class of 2024 | Michigan
Resume: White has gotten stronger as the season has progressed with at least 10 kills in 11 of the Mighty Macs' past 12 matches. She shines when the lights are the brightest and willed her team to the Illinois 4A title last season. She has tallied 211 kills on the season (4.9 per set) and is a big reason Mother McAuley has spent all season in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Previous MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2008 — Lauren Cook, Pius X (Lincoln, Neb.)
2009 — Rachel Williams, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
2010 — Tiffany Baker, Hebron (Carrollton, Texas)
2011 — Nicole Dalton, Chaparral (Parker, Colo.)
2012 — Amber Rolfzen/Kadie Rolfzen, Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.)
2013 — Courtney Eckenrode, The Woodlands (Texas)
2014 — Alexis Smith, Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.)
2015 — Nicole Peterson, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)
2016 — Lexi Sun, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, Calif.)
2017 — Erin O'Leary, Novi (Mich.)
2018 — Kenzie Knuckles, Yorktown (Ind.)
2019 — Paige Flickinger, Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
2020 — No award due to pandemic
2021 — Elia Rubin, Marymount (Los Angeles)
2022 — Julia Blyashov, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
