The 2023 Stock Risers

Below are the players who made the biggest jump in our class of 2023 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='233484' first='Aulie' last='Huff'] right side (Beach Elite) off to 11 - When I first saw her at an Endless Summer high school tournament she played middle. As a lefthander she did not really fit the position well but she got an initial ranking in the top 100, dropping off as newer players were discovered. At the Charm City tournament in Baltimore she played right side for Beach Elite and her 6'1" height, long arm extension and left handed swing made her perfect for this position. She played lights out, hitting from the front row and back row. A completely different player at that position. East Carolina grabbed a good one for their right side.   [player_tooltip player_id='231671' first='Morgan' last='Crawford'] left side (Richmond VBC 17s) 27 to 12 - I tried to watch more of the Southern Virginia clubs which allowed many of these girls to climb in the rankings. Morgan played for the 17 team and proved to be a dominant left side. The Loyola Maryland commit hits from anywhere on the court and plays all six rotations. The team recently grabbed 5th place in the USA Division in the Big South Qualifier with their only loss being against Memphis Volleyball Academy, the ultimate champion in the USA Division.   [player_tooltip player_id='248621' first='Tatum' last='Evans'] left side (Richmond VBC 18s) 43 to 13 - The Virginia Tech commit combined with [player_tooltip player_id='190541' first='Hannah' last='Ball'] to give Midlothian High their first Class 5 State championship. At that time I thought Hannah was the go to player on the team, but after watching more of Tatum in club ball she impressed. Having a 6'1" left side who can play all six rotations as well as set is quite the get for Virginia Tech.   [player_tooltip player_id='209180' first='Jasmine' last='Okeoma'] middle (Virginia Jrs) 26 to 14 - I saw just a little bit of her at an Alexandria high school tournament. At 6'3" she brings the height and athleticism to impact a game. Watching her more in club I came away impressed. The Auburn commit will be traveling with her college team on a European tour and then coming back to play for Virginia Juniors in the Nationals in Chicago.   [player_tooltip player_id='246319' first='Brianna' last='Ellis'] middle (Club 540) 48 to 18 - Another Southern Virginia player who I got to see more of in club ball at Volley by the James and the Northeast Qualifier in Philly. At 6'1" the Norfolk State commit brings good height to the position. She does what you look for in a middle, hitting the quicks well and covering the pins with her blocking.   [player_tooltip player_id='181196' first='Arleigh' last='Hanson'] setter (Metro) 39 to 23- Another player I did not see play a lot in high school. The Navy commit has good hands and at 6'0" can play the front row, though for Metro she only played the back row. Arleigh has committed to Navy.   [player_tooltip player_id='248623' first='Brooke' last='Eslinger'] libero (None) 38-25 - Another Midlothian High player who wowed me with her libero play in the Class 5 State championships. One of those rare female liberos who make diving plays normally seen in a men's game. I was hoping to see her play in club to get a second look but she was absent from any rosters. The Class 5C voted her second team All State. The Missouri State commit also got voted first team Richmond All Metro.   [player_tooltip player_id='239270' first='EllaMae' last='Fitzgerald'] libero (Virginia Jrs) 88 to 34 - Saw her play briefly at Episcopal but came away impressed by her game with Virginia Juniors, especially in the Chesapeake Regional Qualifiers. Juniors uses her a lot in a two person passing system. The Dartmouth commit moves quickly in the back row playing a solid defense.   Other Players whose Stock Rose   [player_tooltip player_id='181111' first='Annika' last='Engen'] left side (VAVA) 59 to 39 - committed to Virginia Weslayan. She stands 5'10" and can put the ball down hard.   [player_tooltip player_id='209176' first='Madeline' last='Stewart'] setter (Paramount) off to 40 - committed to American. Sets in the back row for Paramount who will be playing in the Open Division at Columbus.   [player_tooltip player_id='181108' first='Jordan' last='Pryor'] left side (Metro North) off to 50 - committed to Sheperd. Saw her peppering with her mom between matches. Now that is a committed volleyball player. Plays aggressive. Not afraid to swing hard to make the big play.   [player_tooltip player_id='181107' first='Alana' last='Simmons'] left side (Virginia Jrs) off to 55 - not aware of any commitment. A six rotation player. Her outside play led Virginia Jrs to a National spot in the Junior Nationals by winning the Chesapeake Regional Qualifiers.   [player_tooltip player_id='209172' first='Isabela' last='Fowlkes'] middle/right side (Metro) 74 to 58 - committed to USC. She did not get a lot of opportunity to play for Metro when I watched their games, but the few times she played they put her at middle. When there she liked to hit slides.   [player_tooltip player_id='231680' first='Natalie' last='Brown'] right side (American) 94 to 60 - not aware of any commitment. At 5'9" she may be small for a right side but she brings a good left handed swing that puts the ball to the floor. Also carries a good presence on the court.

Below are the players who made the biggest jump in our class of 2023 rankings.