The MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list is comprised of 15 high school volleyball standouts in the midst of outstanding seasons, both on an individual and team level.
Players included on the watch list are vying to join Lexi Sun (2016), Kenzie Knuckles (2018), Paige Flickinger (2019), Elia Rubin (2021), Macaria Spears (2024) and Sophee Peterson (2025) among winners of the nation's highest honor.
Read on for a complete look at the watch list. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Taimane Ainu'u, 'Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii)
6-0 | Junior | Setter | Committed to Texas
Ainu'u has posted 526 assists for the nationally-ranked Raiders. She also has 132 digs, 65 kills and 38 aces as 'Iolani (21-2) looks to repeat as Division 1 state champions.
Malorie Boesiger, Norris (Firth, Neb.)
5-10 | Senior | Setter | Committed to Nebraska
Boesiger has produced 755 assists, 170 digs, 76 aces, 45 kills and 32 blocks for the Titans (26-1). Though she missed her sophomore season with a knee injury, she recently topped 3,000 career assists.
Ellie Enger, Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.)
6-2 | Sophomore | Setter | Uncommitted
Her versatility is one reason the Rams are No. 4 in the national rankings. Enger leads the team in kills with 214 and is second in assists with 322. In less that two seasons, she has more than 600 assists and 500 kills.
Haven Enselman, Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
6-0 | Sophomore | Setter | Uncommitted
A MaxPreps Freshman All-American last year, Enselman has helped the RedHawks (23-3) find a place in the top 10 of the national rankings this season with 602 assists, 151 digs, 55 kills, 46 blocks and 28 aces.
Cala Haffner, Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
5-9 | Junior | Libero | Committed to Texas
Haffner has 230 digs this season for the Chargers (26-1), who are hunting for their third straight Class 4A state title. She missed part of the season playing for the USA Volleyball where she was named MVP and Best Receiver of the U19 continental tournament.
Peyton Heatherly, Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.)5-11 | Junior | Setter | Committed to Coastal Carolina
Dished up 428 assists as the Mighty Macs (24-3) have posted five wins over teams in the MaxPreps Top 25. She was the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year two seasons ago and recently topped 2,500 career assists.
5-7 | Senior | Setter | Committed to Samford
As the Rockets chase state title No. 26, Hurley has stepped into the court general role with more than 1,000 assists for No. 8 Assumption (29-3).
Eva Jeffries, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
6-3 | Senior | Opposite | Tennessee commit
A six-rotation player on a team loaded with Division I talent, the daughter of former NBA player Jared Jeffries has compiled 226 serve receptions, 208 kills, 152 digs, 28 aces and 22 blocks for the No. 2 Trailblazers. She is approaching 1,000 career kills.
Taylor Johnson, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
5-11 | Junior | Outside hitter | Committed to SMU
Leads the Lions with 382 kills while hitting nearly 38 percent. She has also contributed 300 serve receptions, 183 digs, 47 aces and 44 blocks.
Olivia Kitur, Allen (Texas)
6-0 | Junior | Opposite hitter | Committed to Baylor
Pacing No. 5 Allen (32-2) with 348 kills as well as digs (203) and aces (54) in 86 sets. She also has 380 serve receptions and is on the cusp of 1,000 career kills.
Kari Knotts, Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.)
6-4 | Sophomore | Outside hitter | Uncommitted
Last year's MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year recently topped 1,000 career kills with 439 so far this season for the Lions (29-6). She has added 181 digs, 123 serve receptions 25 aces and 15 blocks.
6-0 | Senior | Outside hitter | Committed to UCLA
Leads the top-ranked Monarchs with 318 serve receptions, 297 kills, 254 digs, 51 aces and had added 45 blocks. She is approaching 1,000 career kills.
Sophia Puleo, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
6-2 | Senior | Outside hitter | Committed to Baylor
Approaching 1,500 career kills, Calvary Christian's go-to hitter has 347 kills in 70 sets as the Warriors (23-1) seek their third straight Class 3A state title. She has added 226 serve receptions and 205 digs.
Peyton Smith, Duncanville (Texas)6-0 | Sophomore | Outside hitter | Uncommitted
The Pantherettes are chasing their first state title since 1995 behind 488 kills, 381 serve receptions, 269 digs, 45 blocks and 33 aces from Smith. A MaxPreps Freshman All-American, she has already recorded more than 1,200 career kills.
5-9 | Junior | Outside hitter/Setter | Committed to Baylor
A Swiss Army knife for the Warriors (34-5), she leads the team with 542 assists while adding 218 kills, 210 digs, 95 serve receptions, 63 aces and 47 blocks
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year2008 — 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, Calif.)
2022 — Julia Blyashov, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
2023 — Lauren Harden, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)
2024 — Macaria Spears, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
2025 — Sophee Peterson, Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
