2023 Updated Rankings!
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We always get excited about the opportunity to update our class rankings! There are players who move up based on an outstanding high school or club season. There are players who enter the rankings for the first time. These updated…
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Continue ReadingWe always get excited about the opportunity to update our class rankings! There are players who move up based on an outstanding high school or club season. There are players who enter the rankings for the first time. These updated rankings are based on what we saw occur primarily during the club season. Today we bring you what’s new in the class of 2023. Our top 10 had some movement this go around. We had zero change at the top, with Kentucky pledge Brooke DeLeye still rated as our top prospect following another strong club season with Topeka Impact.
This isn’t an easy process and players get missed. Our friend at Prep Dig, Chris Fitzgerald posted a great article sharing what goes into our ranking system here. Our rankings don’t dictate future success as a volleyball player or person. These rankings are subjective, but we feel we are on the right track with the hours spent dedicated to this process. With that said, here are our updated Top 10 for the class of 2023.
1. Brooklyn DeLeye Brooklyn DeLeye 6'2" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State #30 Nation KS – OH – Topeka Impact/Washburn Rural – Kentucky
There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said over the last couple of years with DeLeye. I guess we can add that her shot selection continues to get stronger and improve. Seeing a double block on a consistent basis, she has been wise in her decision-making once in the air. You can see she has gotten more robust, which will pay off entering her senior year as she looks to lead Washburn Rural back to state after a very strong 2021 season.
2. Ava TeStrake Ava TeStrake 6'4" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2023 State #65 Nation KS – OH – KC Power /Olathe West – Creighton
Testrake is another player we thought to a big jump during this club season. She appeared to look quicker this spring with a little more bounce in her legs. She brings so much to the table with her ability to score and shut teams down defensively. We saw an improved court vision as well in her ball placement and swing selection. Her play will fit in well within Creighton’s system of play.
3. Betsy Goodenow Betsy Goodenow 6'0" | RS St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State #92 Nation KS – RS – Mavs KC/St. Thomas Aquinas – Yale
The player we thought made the biggest leap this spring was Goodenow. She is a very efficient and dependable player on the court. The southpaw can score from all levels and brings a strong pipe from the back row. As evidenced by her decision to attend Yale, she is very smart on the court and situationally aware of the moment.
4. Sawyer Thomsen Sawyer Thomsen 6'2" | MB Free State | 2023 State #145 Nation KS – MB/OH – KC Power /Lawrence Free State – California
Like with Testrake, Thomsen seemed to move at a different level this spring for KC Power . We loved seeing her growth behind the setter and her quickness off the ground is an asset. Her blocking game is strong and she moves well laterally along the net. Free State will look to return to state themselves and Thomsen will be a major piece to that taking place. She recently committed to the University of California
5. Jaya Johnson Jaya Johnson 6'2" | MB Olathe South | 2023 State #116 Nation KS – MB – PVA /Olathe South – Creighton
Jaya made a big jump last year which earned her an offer to play with Testrake in Omaha. She continued to improve this season as her skill level rose to match her raw talent and athleticism. She was a catalyst to the success PVA enjoyed this spring. Her play allowed us to come in at number 5 in our updated rankings.
6. Aubrey Duncan Aubrey Duncan 6'0" | MB Free State | 2023 State KS – MB – Mavs KC/Lawrence Free State – Uncommitted
The thing we like about Duncan is her ability to affect the game fast in different ways. She is currently uncommitted from our understanding but will be a steal for the right program. Depending on the program level, she could be undersized for a middle but we believe she can transition easily to the right side if needed. She can score in front of the setter and uses great angles. She reads hitter well and positions her body and hands in place to touch balls or send them back with authority.
7. Alayna Pearson Alayna Pearson 5'6" | DS/L Blue Valley Northwest | 2023 State #110 Nation KS – L/DS – KC Power /Blue Valley Northwest – Texas A&M
In our opinion, Pearson is still the top dog when it comes to Kansas defenders. She is gutsy and a leader on the court. Her first step is one to watch and she has no problem laying her body on the line. She is an absolute competitor and the daughter of former KC Chiefs defensive back J. C. Pearson. She will need that toughness she has displayed in the SEC.
8. Taylor Russell Taylor Russell 6'0" | OH Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS – MB – Topeka Impact/Washburn Rural – Uncommitted
After spending some time with KC Power , Russell made the jump to the hometown Topeka Impact program. This move elevated her play and stock in our opinion. We saw her production grow in 2022 and were able to see her flourish in many facets of the game. She can score with the best in the state and can deflate a team’s energy with her defensive play.
9. Rylee Unruh Rylee Unruh 5'11" | S Free State | 2023 State KS – S – Dynasty /Lawrence Free State – Washburn
Unruh is taking her talents to last year’s national Division II runner-up Washburn University in nearby Topeka for the Lawrence native. The fiery player can wear many hats on the court which allows her raking to sit at 9. What we love about her is the defensive prowess we see on the court. She sets for the high school team and plays defensive on the club scene. That combination allows her to control things and show leadership on the court.
10. Reagan Anderson Reagan Anderson 5'3" | DS/L St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State KS – L/DS – Mavs KC/St. Thomas Aquinas – Wichita State
Don’t let her size fool you! Anderson has that dog in her and her play bumped her to number 10 in these latest rankings. She will be heading down I-35 to play for Wichita State. She has that “it” factor as a defender. She can control the court in serve receive and cover ground at an elite level defensively.