Top 2023 Recruiting Classes - Breaking Down 6-10

I thought there would be a mathematical formula to figure out the top recruiting class.  Coming from a background where numbers have to be attached to everything to prove if something is working, not working, changes need to be made, goals met/not met (can you tell I was in education?).  I decided to blend a few numbers with the eye test in regards to coming up with the top ten recruiting classes.  What was interesting was not the recruiting classes of the top ten, but the ones who are building a ton of momentum that maybe aren't the obvious programs (more on that later).  Let's take a look at part one of the top ten recruiting classes with 6-10 from the Class of 2023 Recruiting Rankings.    6. Stanford   Commits in the Top 200   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>First Name</td><td>Last Name</td><td>State</td><td>Height</td><td>Position</td><td>High School</td><td>Club </td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Julia</td><td>Blyashov</td><td>California</td><td>6'3"</td><td>OH</td><td>Cathedral Catholic</td><td>Wave</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Jordyn</td><td>Harvey</td><td>Utah</td><td>6'2"</td><td>OH</td><td>Bountiful</td><td>Club V</td></tr><tr><td>62</td><td>Ellie</td><td>Sampson</td><td>North Carolina</td><td>6'0"</td><td>RS</td><td>Green Level</td><td>Triangle</td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>Clara</td><td>Stowell</td><td>California</td><td>6'2"</td><td>S</td><td>Esperanza</td><td>Tstreet</td></tr><tr><td>168</td><td>Koko</td><td>Kirsch</td><td>California</td><td>5'8"</td><td>DS/L</td><td>El Toro</td><td>Tstreet</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578540611971387393?s=20&t=4W8fMA48vCepTrSrUTL5Gw </div></figure>   Per usual, Stanford is keeping the top athletes in the West close to home. Their top recruit [player_tooltip player_id='161445' first='Julia' last='Blyashov'] has been someone who has logged time on the USAV Youth National teams and has been part of the top high school program with Cathedral Catholic out of the San Diego area. Her versatile skill set will blend in greatly with what the Cardinal already have. [player_tooltip player_id='195470' first='Jordyn' last='Harvey'] out of Utah brings a ton of physicality to the outside position where she can contribute in so many ways. She is also a top basketball player in her state as well. The Cardinal are back after bringing in a top class in 2022 and following it up with another top ten class in 2023 they will be sure to continue their hunt for national titles.   7. Baylor   Commits in the Top 200   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>First Name</td><td>Last Name</td><td>State</td><td>Height</td><td>Position</td><td>High School</td><td>Club </td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Kyndal</td><td>Stowers</td><td>Texas</td><td>6'0"</td><td>OH</td><td>Guyver</td><td>TAV</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Harley</td><td>Kreck</td><td>Texas</td><td>6'0"</td><td>S</td><td>Rains</td><td>Dallas Skyline</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>Kendal</td><td>Murphy</td><td>Arizona</td><td>6'3"</td><td>OH</td><td>Horizon</td><td>AZ Revolution</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/05/Stowers.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-197489" width="363" height="242" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stowers</figcaption></figure>   Baylor had one of the top players come to their program from the Class of 2022 in Averi Carlson where she has been running the show for the Bears as their top setter who earned Freshman of the Year honors in the Big 12.  She will have plenty of talent coming in with pins in [player_tooltip player_id='87534' first='Kyndal' last='Stowers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='195472' first='Kendal' last='Murphy'].  Kreck is one of the top setters in Texas where she will provide plenty of depth.  Stowers has been part of national championships for TAV and has a true six rotation style to her game where she can serve receive, pass to attack and score plenty of points. Stowers brings the lightning and Murphy will provide plenty of thunder where she hits a really heavy ball, making it tough for the other side of the net to keep it clean and in system.  She also provides a lot of length at the net.  Kreck is going to be a key utility player for the Bears. She can set, swing, and defend.  Her swiss army knife ability is something that all teams need where she can step in and do a lot of positive things for her side of the net.    8. Oregon   Commits in the Top 200    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>First Name</td><td>Last Name</td><td>State</td><td>Height</td><td>Position</td><td>High School</td><td>Club </td></tr><tr><td>47</td><td>Kate</td><td>Thibault</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>5'3"</td><td>DS/L</td><td>Watertown-Mayer</td><td>MN Select</td></tr><tr><td>49</td><td>Sophie</td><td>Gregoire-Salagean</td><td>Oregon</td><td>6'0"</td><td>OH</td><td>Newberg</td><td>Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy</td></tr><tr><td>87</td><td>Isabel</td><td>Patterson</td><td>Oregon</td><td>5'10"</td><td>OH</td><td>Jesuit</td><td>Athena Volleyball Academy</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>Becca</td><td>Kelley</td><td>Texas</td><td>6'3"</td><td>OH</td><td>Rockwall Heath</td><td>Dallas Skyline</td></tr><tr><td>128</td><td>Noemie</td><td>Glover</td><td>California</td><td>6'1"</td><td>RS</td><td>Cathedral Catholic</td><td>Coast</td></tr><tr><td>163</td><td>Cristin</td><td>Cline</td><td>North Carolina</td><td>5'11"</td><td>S</td><td>Hickory Grove Christian</td><td>CUVC</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/05/DSC04676-e1670355413736.jpg?w=978" alt="" class="wp-image-196902" width="277" height="290" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Thibault</figcaption></figure>   Oregon has six athletes in the top 200 from across the country. Their top commit coming in will be [player_tooltip player_id='73495' first='Kate' last='Thibault'] who knows how to win. The Minnesota prep is part of the MN Select 17-1 squad who was runner up in 17 Open this past summer in Indianapolis. Sophia Gregoire-Salagean is a long, physical pin who can score points in a variety of ways. She can contact high going with a variety of angles and can hit a quicker tempo ball inside as well. Her upside is scary. Patterson is extremely explosive from the pin and is a great instate get for the Ducks. Kelley plays both pins, but is lethal on the right side where she provides a heavy swing and strong block. [player_tooltip player_id='161450' first='Noemie' last='Glover'] has some scary potential. The SoCal kid has plenty of athleticism, touches high and has a big lefty handed swing from the right side. Cline will bring in some big time grit to this program where she is a very physical setter who always finds a way to make an impact.       9. Ohio State   Commits in the Top 200   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>First Name</td><td>Last Name</td><td>State</td><td>Height</td><td>Position</td><td>High School</td><td>Club </td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Eloise</td><td>Brandewie</td><td>Ohio</td><td>6'2"</td><td>MB</td><td>Bishop Hartley</td><td>Mintonette</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Grace</td><td>Egan</td><td>Illinois</td><td>6'1"</td><td>OH</td><td>Sterling</td><td>1st Alliance</td></tr><tr><td>51</td><td>Mia</td><td>Tuman</td><td>Pennsylvania</td><td>6'0"</td><td>S</td><td>North Allegheny</td><td>Pittsburgh Elite</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/06/Grace-Egan2.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-201715" width="207" height="310" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='138648' first='Grace' last='Egan']</figcaption></figure>   Ohio State has a really interesting situation on their hands where they have some big time recruits coming in, but also some seniors who could opt for another year. Mac Podraza winning Big Ten Setter of the Year and Kylie Murr winning Libero of the Year. If they stay and add in these athletes it could be another run for the Buckeyes in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='114513' first='Eloise' last='Brandewie'] is one of the top middle blockers in the country and is extremely physical. She comes from the same club as Podraza and OSU right side standout, Emily Londot. [player_tooltip player_id='138648' first='Grace' last='Egan'] was part of the national championship team in 1st Alliance out of the Chicago area and is a powerful six rotation outside hitter. She will be rehabbing a knee injury the second semester at OSU and could be a key impact player early for the Buckeyes. [player_tooltip player_id='195485' first='Mia' last='Tuman'] out of Pittsburgh Elite and has been the queen of volleyball in Pennsylvania winning the Gatorade POY as a junior and could be set to repeat that award. She oozes athleticism where she gets in that Ohio State gym and she could be doing some pretty special things.       10. Florida   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1517596056476798976?s=20&t=4W8fMA48vCepTrSrUTL5Gw </div></figure>   Commits in the Top 200    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>First Name</td><td>Last Name</td><td>State</td><td>Height</td><td>Position</td><td>High School</td><td>Club </td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Kennedy</td><td>Martin</td><td>North Carolina</td><td>6'6"</td><td>OH/RS</td><td>Nation Ford</td><td>FC Elite</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Kira</td><td>Hutson</td><td>Illinois</td><td>6'3"</td><td>OH</td><td>Metea Valley</td><td>Team One</td></tr><tr><td>159</td><td>Madison</td><td>Gravlee</td><td>Florida</td><td>6'4"</td><td>RS</td><td>Vero Beach</td><td>High Tide</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   This class for Florida fits perfectly in the scheme for Coach Mary Wise and the Gators. These athletes are long, athletic, and extremely physical. [player_tooltip player_id='119394' first='Kennedy' last='Martin'] played club the past two years for FC Elite out of Appleton, WI while her dad was on the coaching staff for the Green Bay Packers. Martin touches in the range of 10'7 and is a matchup nightmare for the other side of the net. She is a physical blocker and can has a really heavy ball that's coming at quite the angle. Her ceiling is incredibly high. [player_tooltip player_id='195936' first='Kira' last='Hutson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='251225' first='Madison' last='Gravlee'] are primarily on the outside. Hutson is a pure six rotation outside where she was key for Metea Valley out of the Chicagoland area winning a 2021 state title as a junior. Gravlee is the instate power who played for High Tide out of Palm City, FL - just North of West Palm Beach right on the ocean. She has quite a high contact point and snap on her swing where she will be able to score points at a high level.

I thought there would be a mathematical formula to figure out the top recruiting class. Coming from a background where numbers have to be attached to everything to prove if something is working, not working, changes need to be made, goals met/not met (can you tell I was in education?). I decided to blend a few numbers with the eye test in regards to coming up with the top ten recruiting classes. What was interesting was not the recruiting classes of the top ten, but the ones who are building a ton of momentum that maybe aren't the obvious programs (more on that later). Let's take a look at part one of the top ten recruiting classes with 6-10 from the Class of 2023 Recruiting Rankings.