Saint Louis Area 2024 First Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A star-studded 2024 class for the area shined on the big stage. The class is well represented at each position, with some first-year varsity players stepping into the stop light. Watch out for the class of 2024 next season as they become veterans. Here are the first team Saint Louis area team members.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124225' first='Sammi' last='Bergjans'] – Setter – Incarnate Word</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My first look at Sammi was at the final four, and I walked away impressed. She has solid guns to feed, but her competitive attitude and toughness are what I loved the most. A vocal leader and sweet hands allowed Sammi to lead the state in assists this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124219' first='Alyssa' last='Nelson'] – Setter – Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson guided her Lancers to its first state championship since 2016, and the team was destined to win it. She'll have the Lancers ready for a repeat next year and has 2082 career assists. The next level is a no-brainer if she can run the show for Lafayette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124216' first='Claire' last='Morrissey'] – Outside – St. Joseph's Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mizzou commit is a top 10 2024 player in the country, and after seeing her play, I get it. She is one of the most physical six rotations outside in the area, hits a heavy ball, and is just as dangerous coming from the back row. Claire finished the year with 342 kills and 233 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150037' first='Grace' last='Killion'] – Outside – Cor Jesu</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another heavy ball six rotation outside for the Chargers sees the block and defense exceptionally well. She doubled her offensive outlet from last year with 351 kills and made a difference defensively with 284 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150044' first='Kylie' last='Surratt'] – Outside – Pattonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surratt finished a fantastic season for the Pirates with 433 kills and broke the school record for career kills. A solid six rotation outside has 925 kills and 674 digs for her career and will pass 1000 career kills' early next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124222' first='Allison' last='Risley'] – Opposite – Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My favorite spot for Allison is on the right pin, where she can be a shutdown blocker and an almost unstoppable attacker. Another heavy ball hitter out of Lafayette finished the year with 278 kills and 317 digs and was a primary passer for the state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235705' first='Abby' last='Freund'] – Libero – Incarnate Word</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freund led her team to the state championship match as part of the Red Knight's dirty defense. She is a backcourt bully that takes up a lot of space and is highly successful playing libero. Abby finished the year with 565 digs and was the primary passer. Keep an eye on Freund and company, as they should be the favorite for a title next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124215' first='Olivia' last='Hasbrook'] – Libero – Eureka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buckeyes snagged a good one in Hasbrook. An Ohio State commit is one of the country's top liberos, and when you watch her play, it's pretty easy to see why. Her passing and ball control is impeccable, and she's all over the court, has excellent hands, and her first step is lighting quick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Giesmann – Middle – St. Dominic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area-blocking leader finished with 93 blocks, impressive for a first-year varsity player. Giesmann would add 143 kills but was a more defensive middle than offensive, which worked out great for Ava as she helped her team to a third straight final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207583' first='Kayla' last='Jansen']- Middle – St. Joseph's Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jansen finished second in the area with 89 blocks. Jansen would hit over most blockers at 6'2" with her long wingspan, and a solid vertical would also add 124 kills for the season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->