New Rankings, New Players: Five To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the release of the new-and-improved class of 2023 rankings, we always have a few players who, in this author's humble opinion, should have been on this list ages ago. These five athletes come from five different high school programs, bringing all kinds of skills to the 900 square feet we know and love.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='208628' first='Margo' last='Hernandez'], 5-10 S, Fishers, South Alabama commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm still trying to figure out how I missed on this one. With an All-Tournament AAU showing in June and a bronze medal earned at GJNCs in 17 National in July, Margo is the setter that has the size, skill and commitment to the sport that setters should adhere to. She is already running a fast offense for 4A top-ten Fishers, plays above-average defense for her position in this class, and connects with hitters seamlessly. Playing in both the "conference of death" and the "sectional of death", Margo comes from a long line of volleyball masters (sister played at Georgia, brother plays at Ball State), and should continue the high volleyball IQ bloodline to USA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='202656' first='Emory' last='Guderian'], 5-6 DS/L, Carroll, Northern Kentucky commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From relative obscurity just a year ago to NKU commit now, Emory is a left-back queen that will be a perfect fit for the defense-first Norse. She takes longer and stronger strides than others her height, is brilliant in serve receive, and can do all of the dirty work required to earn the special jersey for years to come. I'm disappointed that I haven't mentioned her before, because Emory is, without a doubt, worthy of a Division I schollie, in any conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='210466' first='Ellie' last='Spang'], 5-6 DS/L, Homestead</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellie's athlete profile, www.elliotspangvballprofile.com, gives you everything you need to know about her dedication and commitment to the craft of defense and serve receive. She's always played up a year at least in club, has been a two-year starter for Homestead, and has even spent some time as a primary-passing outside when needed. Why not? She has the highest jump touch of any of the DS's in this class, and has the arm to prove it. Being the 'bro on Summit's 18-1 team, she's a left-back through and through, regularly passes half the court in serve receive, and is the spitfire a team needs to not only keep the ball in play, but make better balls happen for her teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='210467' first='Breanna' last='Lane'], 5-9 S, Castle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off of a 4A state-runner-up performance in the fall, this Evansville United product makes the position of setting look smooth and easy. Jump setting every ball, regardless of where it's passed, Miss Lane also plays exceptional defense for her position in this class, and will be a great 5-1 addition to any program out there. Nearly a lock to surpass 2000 career assists and 500 digs in her career at Castle, she's looking for one more run at the big prize at Worthen Arena in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='210677' first='Gretchen' last='Moore'], 5-8 MB, Yorktown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prototypical middle for Munciana has to be fast, athletic, and always ready to swing. Check, check and check for Miss Moore, who is often overlooked because of her size. I'm sure there's a school out there who needs a hard-working, winning, relentless athlete in the middle who attacks well off of one foot as well as two. She's always in the right spot defensively, beats bigger middles with her speed, and transitions with the best of them. If she were six feet or taller, she'd already have a schollie in her pocket. With Yorktown turning in yet another amazing summer league circuit, the Tigers are one of the favorites to win the 4A again, and Gretchen has the players around her to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->