New Names to Know: 2024 Rankings

Vernon Birmingham March 16, 2023 @ 12:33 PM

Every ranking update we introduce you to players we either overlooked previously or those who made a name for themselves since the last ranking reshuffle. Each cycle we add quite a few new players but here are some new names who enter the rankings with the highest spot on the list.   [player_tooltip player_id='342341' first='Gabby' last='Anderson'] - L/DS - Bishop Miege/Club North - #40   Anderson helped anchor the back row defense behind 4A state champion Bishop Miege. Playing against some of the best hitters in the state, she held her own and made play after play. She contributed with 261 digs and over 500 receptions in the passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='342342' first='Reagan' last='Smith'] - S - Cirlce - #44   Smith set her way onto the all-state second team after a strong junior campaign for a good Circle team. She was composed and in control on the court, which led to a year tallying over 1000 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='342343' first='Lucy' last='Rieke'] - MB - Tonganoxie/Club North - #47   Two Rieke girls put in work this fall for Tonganoxie but it was the older sibling who paced the team with just under 300 kills, on her way to a spot on the all-state team. She was a force at the net defensively with over 70 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='261106' first='Grace' last='Schmedding'] - OH - Heritage Christian/Club North - #57   Heritage Christian has many valuable pieces on their roster and a couple of other players get much of the headlines but Schmedding was huge last fall in helping capture another state title. From the pin, she delivered 220 kills and 140 digs on the year. She is also another key member of a Club North team that just captured a bid in Orlando.   [player_tooltip player_id='221225' first='Lainie' last='Douglas'] - OH - Blue Valley Northwest - #61   Douglas had a breakout year in her junior season for Blue Valley Northwest. After seeing action in only 4 sets as a sophomore, she played in 91 this past fall and showed she is a name to know going forward. She dropped 290 kills and 44 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='342344' first='Gabby' last='Lujan'] - S - Belle Plain - #75   Dipping down in class 2A is where we'll find Lujan. The Belle Plain setter/hitter wears many hats and wears them well as evidenced by being named honorable mention all-state. As an attacker, she had over 500 kills on the year. From the setting position, she had just under 200 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='342345' first='Savannah' last='Shahan'] - OH - Hillsboro - #78   First-team all-state will help you find your way into the rankings! Shahan did a lot of damage in class 2 for Hillsboro to the tune of 382 kills and 245 digs. She also showed her serve game is lethal with just under 90 aces over the last two seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='172453' first='Talya' last='Sampson'] - OH - Sedgwick - #81   The junior pin enters the rankings at 81 after a season that saw her make herself known around the state's small classes. The 5'10" pin was a headache to opponents all year.

Every ranking update we introduce you to players we either overlooked previously or those who made a name for themselves since the last ranking reshuffle. Each cycle we add quite a few new players but here are some new names who enter the rankings with the highest spot on the list.