2025 Watchlist Players: Who Stands Out?

<p>Now that we have had time to settle into the new 2025 rankings, it's time to evaluate the watchlist players! We have included a solid list below and a highlight video linked for each athlete. These sophomores can really play. Take a look below.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254293' first='Sadiejane' last='Hand'] - Middle - Excel 15N Red</strong></p>   <p>Sadiejane might have been under the radar before this season, but after her attendance at the Top 250 Expo in Dallas back in December, she went to the top of our watchlist. She is part of a very good Excel 15N Red team and compliments them so well from the middle. She has an excellent connection with her setter, and after watching her at Tour of Texas, I got to see her true potential against some of the very best. Sadiejane is breaking out as a familiar name in the Dallas area. Check out some of her highlights below.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/sadiehand2025/status/1617589381518495745?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269772' first='Abbie' last='O'Shay'] - Middle - [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Premier</strong></p>   <p>I haven't written about [player_tooltip player_id='269772' first='Abbie' last='O'Shay'] yet this season, but after her performance at Tour of Texas Stop 2, it warranted a mention! Abbie has major pop to her swing and she can definitely bounce the ball on a good set. She is long and has a larger-than-average wing span which makes her an excellent blocker. Her highlight videos are full of blocks where she is well over the net and pressed nicely. She also hits a great slide that is fun to watch. She is full of energy and spirit which is contagious to her teammates. Abbie is definitely on the watchlist for a reason. Take a look at her highlight video.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/AbbieOShay2025/status/1625290392898764800?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227249' first='Simi' last='Elliott'] - Middle - [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors']</strong></p>   <p>Simi Elliot was a part of the Katy Tompkins program that finished 2nd in the state this past high school season. Not only was she a part, but she was also a contributor and starter. Simi has made a ton of progress over the last year and has improved her offensive game. She has always been an excellent blocker, having the height advantage on her side. She plays on [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 15 Elite because of her birthday cut-off, but adding her to the 2025 watchlist with her graduating class was a must. Take a look at one of her blocks.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/SimiElliott/status/1602440798406168576?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292171' first='Emily' last='McShan'] - Libero - Frisco Flyers 16 Ed</strong></p>   <p>Libero [player_tooltip player_id='292171' first='Emily' last='McShan'] plays for Frisco Flyers 16 Ed and has been a lockdown defender in middle back early this club season. Emily has a really nice flat platform in serve receive and seems to always put the ball inside the 10-foot line for her setter. She has a very soft touch out of serve receive, stays low when passing, and sets great angles. In defense, Emily hangs back in the middle back position, and this allows her to dig a majority of the balls as well as make smart reads behind her setter. Check out Emily's highlights below.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/EmilyMcShan2025/status/1625911115212369926?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202871' first='Sophie' last='Bridges'] - Libero - TAV 16 Platinum</strong></p>   <p>Sophomore Libero [player_tooltip player_id='202871' first='Sophie' last='Bridges'] is having herself a year after a standout season with Prosper volleyball where she played libero. Sophie has a lot of scrappy play in her and doesn't give up on the ball easily. She does a good job in block coverage as well and has played some really tough balls up. Sophie works hard in serve receive as well, covering a lot of the court and communicating well with her fellow passers. We are happy to have Sophie join the 2025 rankings as one of the top passers in Texas. Check out her highlights.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/Sophie_Bridges2/status/1600992821758287872?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206616' first='Jordyn' last='Wacaster'] - Libero - Frisco Flyers 16 Jose</strong></p>   <p>Another Frisco Flyers player [player_tooltip player_id='206616' first='Jordyn' last='Wacaster'] is moving up into the watchlist this season. I really love Jordyn's nice angles she sets in serve receive and on defense. She takes full advantage of her reach area and is fine playing balls outside of her body. She has great movement on the court and does a great job of ball tracking on the opposing side of the net. She is a disciplined defender and plays left-back defense. Take a look at her highlights below.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/JordynW2025/status/1622005009167618049?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254270' first='Madison' last='Garza'] - Setter - AVA 16 Adidas</strong></p>   <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='254270' first='Madison' last='Garza'] has made loads of improvement since last season. She is quicker and stronger, and she is taking full advantage of her very high volleyball IQ. Playing for AVA 16 Adidas, one of the best 16 teams in the Houston area, Madison shares the offense in a 6-2 rotation. She is doing a very good job this season of connecting with her middle hitters and setting them at a very fast tempo. She can use her arm strength and move the ball all around the floor taking advantage of all her hitting options. Check out her highlight video here.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/maddy_garza01/status/1615751359097344000?s=20 </div></figure>

Now that we have had time to settle into the new 2025 rankings, it's time to evaluate the watchlist players! We have included a solid list below and a highlight video linked for each athlete. These sophomores can really play. Take a look below.