Class 4A: The Breakout Candidates

<p>It happens every season. While most of the top performers of a high school volleyball season are deservedly awarded a spot in the All-State team, a few others fly under-the-radar and put up big numbers in a more quiet way. That was the case with these five players, so keep an eye on them when the 2020 season starts for the Class 4A in Washington.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="97061" first="Ellina" last="Powell"] – Setter - Junior – Jackson</strong></p> <p>Six-foot setters always deserve special attention and that’s exactly the case with [player_tooltip player_id="97061" first="Ellina" last="Powell"]. She showed in 2019 she brings a lot more to the table than just her size as she did a great job in coordinating Jackson’s offense with 648 assists (8.5) per set, but also contributed to the Timberwolves in several other departments as she tallied 171 digs, 64 aces and 27 blocks. There’s still potential for more growth from her, so we included her in our class of 2022 watch list.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96997" first="Abbey" last="May"] – Outside Hitter – Senior - Issaquah</strong></p> <p>Abby May played a pivotal role in Issaquah’s State Championship appearance in 2019. The 5’10” outside hitter was a force on offense, with the team’s second-best mark of 198 kills, but made her presence felt in every other aspect of the game as she also contributed to the Eagles with 50 aces, 59 blocks, 325 digs and 392 passes. A player who’s able to do so much for a team is every coach’s dream and that’s exactly why she ranks 11th at prepdig.com’s class of 2021 ranking.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="97025" first="Katie" last="Peneueta"] – Middle-Blocker/Outside Hitter – Senior - Heritage</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="97025" first="Katie" last="Peneueta"] is able to play as a middle-blocker or an outside hitter and from both positions the 6’2” prospect makes an impact in the game. She led Heritage in kills (287) and blocks (58) and was in the top-three for the Timberwolves in aces (third, 29), digs (third, 203) and passes (second, 299). A basketball player as well, Peneueta has a great all-around game to complement her size and that’s why she ranks 46th at prepdig.com’s class of 2021 ranking.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="97246" first="Arden" last="Carnrite"] – Outside Hitter – Sophomore – Newport-Bellevue</strong></p> <p>Arden Carnite had a promising freshman season with Newport-Bellevue in 2019. In her first year of high school volleyball, she became the go-to scoring option for the Knights, registering 134 kills in 323 attack attempts, more than any of her teammates. The 5’9” outside hitter also helped with 21 aces and still has three years of high school volleyball to refine her craft. Her strong play earned her a spot on prepdig.com’s class of 2023 watch list.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="97056" first="Piper" last="Smith"] – Libero/Defensive Specialist – Senior – Lake Stevens</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="97056" first="Piper" last="Smith"] was the defensive rock of a Lake Stevens team that was only stopped at the State Championship final in 2019. The libero was the Vikings’ strongest defensive player by far, ending the season with remarkable numbers, such as team-highs 290 digs (3.2 per set) and 405 passes, and a great attitude in the backcourt. She’s at the 77th spot at prepdig.com’s class of 2021 ranking.</p>