Behind the Scenes of the 2024 Rankings Update
It is time for a big rankings update for the class of 2024! We have been at tournaments across the country this spring and have enjoyed being back in the gym scouting athletes from local tournaments to some of the…
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Continue ReadingIt is time for a big rankings update for the class of 2024! We have been at tournaments across the country this spring and have enjoyed being back in the gym scouting athletes from local tournaments to some of the biggest in the country. We are out almost every weekend watching high-level volleyball! We truly work to do our best to provide accurate rankings for each graduating year. The rankings are a collaborative effort and can be very tough. A lot is taken into consideration including high school, club team, and, obviously, talent.
Here is some behind-the-scenes information on the class of 2024 rankings update.
What’s the story of this class?
With any recent class coming through high school, a lot of their experience has likely been impacted by COVID. From seasons being cut short to lessened travel or other restrictions, there was quite a long time where it was tough for athletes in this class to be scouted. We put together a massive watch list after their freshman high school season and have only continued to add athletes.
They now have two years of high school under their belts and an incredible amount of experience. With this ranking update, there are now 139 ranked players and an additional 28 athletes on our watch list.
How do we evaluate and rank athletes?
We look at a plethora of things when we are looking to evaluate and rank athletes. There is a lot to consider including where they are playing for high school and club. What tournaments are they playing in? And what divisions? How well are they performing at the highest levels? We try to look at all aspects of their game in various different settings.
Do we consider stats?
Sometimes stats may be a piece of the puzzle. And same for any awards or honors such as All-State or All-Conference, but there is so much more to an athlete than just the numbers they produce. That is why we like to get the live view and see them on the court and in action. There is nothing more valuable than actually seeing an athlete play. And, for many athletes, we see them play numerous times over several years.
Do positions play a role in the ranking?
Again, it is definitely a piece of the puzzle. Some positions naturally get more playing time than others such as a libero, 6-rotation outside, or a setter running a 5-1 offense. Middles, right sides, and defensive specialists only tend to be on the court for three rotations. Setters are relied on as leaders on the court but on a lot of teams outside hitters manufacture the most points for a team. Middle blockers are essential and key on defense while also earning points but liberos provide consistency and keep the ball alive. You can look at positions or try to determine which position should be valued higher, but it ultimately comes down to the athlete.
In our active rankings right now we have a setter, libero, and outside hitter ranked at #1. And players of every position are ranked in the top 10.
Did my athlete’s ranking drop?
Since the last ranking, we added over 20 athletes to the rankings. Sometimes rankings will naturally drop if athletes have risen in the rankings or when new athletes are added. When new athletes get ranked, other athletes also shift as a result. Because so many athletes get added in the freshman or sophomore year of high school, the drop in an athlete’s rankings might look extreme. This is not because they got “moved down” per se, but likely because other athletes were placed in a higher rank. This does not mean that your athlete didn’t improve or impress!
How are rankings used?
The number of colleges who subscribe to our sites increases constantly. We currently have over 200 college coaches subscribed to our site. These coaches do use our information as a resource, for where athletes are playing and if they have committed to a college already. We have deep rankings in 20 states which allow coaches from smaller schools or D3 schools to find athletes who are a great fit.
Even though there are other national rankings (as well as our own currently in the works), it is important for us that every athlete find the perfect fit. Coaches follow our social media, articles, and our rankings to help them create a list of potential athletes.
Is there a way to update my information?
You can email info@prepdig.com to get your information updated. This is by far the fastest way to do it. There are a lot of athletes to cover and keep up with so a quick email will do the trick! We will get to it as fast as we can.
If you committed, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Also, feel free to tag us (@PrepDigWI) in your social media post or announcement. We would love to share it and will work to get it updated on our site.