Class of 2024 Watchlist: 5 More Names To Know
The Class of 2024 California Watchlist features talented players throughout the state. From time to time, we’ll check in on the list and showcase a handful of the standouts from it. Below, we take a look at five sophomores who…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2024 California Watchlist features talented players throughout the state. From time to time, we’ll check in on the list and showcase a handful of the standouts from it. Below, we take a look at five sophomores who impressed during their high school seasons.
MacKenzie Parsons MacKenzie Parsons 6'2" | MB Poway | 2024 State #189 Nation CA , 6-2 Middle Blocker/Right Side, Poway HS, Coast – Opponents found out how difficult it was to slow down Parsons. The sophomore led the Titans with 331 kills while hitting .396. Twice she broke the 20-kill mark, including a season-high 22 in a five-set victory over Rancho Bernardo on Oct. 5. She also left her mark on the defensive side, recording a team-leading 126 blocks, averaging 1.2 per set.
Paige Bennett, 6-0 Outside, Foothills HS (Pleasanton), NorCal – On a team with UCLA commit Grayce Olson Grayce Olson 6'4" | OH Pleasanton | 2022 #68 Nation CA , it’s Bennett who’ll be the go-hitter of the future. As a sophomore, she finished second in kills with 255, averaging 2.9 per set and hitting .270. In addition, she finished with 194 digs and 47 aces. Her best two matches of the season came against Dublin. She put up a season-high 24 kills in a five-set victory over Dublin on Sept. 16, then came up with 23 winners in a five-set loss to them in the CIF North Coast Section Division 1 quarterfinals.
Layney Ballard Layney Ballard 5'10" | OH Clovis | 2024 CA , 5-9 Outside, Clovis HS, Valley VA – With 265 kills, Ballard was second on the squad in kills this fall. The sophomore averaged 3.4 kills per set and hit .292. She was effective in the back row as well, registering 200 digs which was second on the team. Her 49 aces was tops on the Cougars.
McKenna Edwards McKenna Edwards 5'10" | S Village Christian | 2024 CA , 5-10 Setter, West Ranch HS, Legacy – Edwards was part of a setting duo that guided the Wildcats to a 12-0 record in Foothill League play. Her 400 assists led the team as she averaged 5.7 per set. She also did her part with 108 digs, 34 aces and 32 blocks. In her best showing of the season she delivered 41 assists in a four-game victory against Hart on Oct. 7.
Devyn Castaneda Devyn Castaneda DS/L Redwood | 2024 CA , 5-5 Libero/DS, Redwood HS, Valley VA – The Rangers went 10-0 in West Yosemite League action this fall and were reliant on Castaneda’s back row play. The sophomore finished the season leading the team in digs with 323, averaging 4.8 per set. She also had 47 assists and 34 aces. She produced a season-high 25 digs in a sweep over Hanford on Oct. 14. It was her third match of the season with 22 digs or more.
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