2024: The Stock Risers

With ranking updates come many shifts in where athletes were previously ranked. There were a handful of athletes that jumped up a significant number of spots in the 2024 rankings. Below are the athletes in the top 51 with the most movement.    Previous State Rank: #7   New State Rank: #2   Why the rise? Playing for NPJ 18 Forefront, a team that won the region and finished #9 Nationally, LeLuge elevated her level of play greatly. She is an athletic attacker, has an explosive approach, and has an incredibly high reach on the ball. She has gotten so much quicker in transition over the course of the season, making herself readily available to her setters. Her improvement over the past few months has launched her to #2 in the class, leaving no question that she is a formidable force and a top recruit to come out of Oregon.     Previous State Rank: #33   New State Rank: #26   Why the rise? Williams has shown steady improvement over the past few years. She has taken on a larger load this club season, most notably because she has stayed healthy! Last club season she was out with an ankle injury. She is a physical middle blocker who showcases quick footwork and puts up a solid block at the pins.  She is utilized consistently to put the ball away. Her ability to run the slide has improved greatly, showcasing a growing range of attacking options.     Previous State Rank: #35   New State Rank: #27   Why the rise? Adamo has proven she is a versatile attacker with experience in all positions across the front row. However, this club season with Excel 18 Lux, she has really honed in on her play in the middle. She is dynamic and can see holes in the block and in opponents' defense to create point-scoring opportunities for herself. She has found a sweet spot with the slide attack, hitting it with ferocity, typically resulting in a kill.    Previous State Rank: #37   New State Rank: #28   Why the rise? Although undersized for a middle, she uses her athleticism and speed to contribute to the team. As an attacker, she is explosive, with a high vertical jump, proving she can be terminal at a high level, despite her height. She showcases a lot of range in her attacking angles and is smart about where she places the ball. She also does a lot of damage from the service line with a tough jump float serve.    Previous State Rank: #56   New State Rank: #33   Why the rise? Brent shot up significantly in the rankings after taking on a much bigger load for the OJVA 17-1 team. She has really honed in on her ball control over this club season, seeing court time as a defensive specialist. Her reaction time on defense is quick, making saves to keep her team in rallies. From the service line, she has an aggressive jump float serve. She is a fiercely positive competitor, and her love of the game shines through on the court.     Previous State Rank: #57   New State Rank: #36   Why the rise? Murray-Ceriello is a dynamic athlete who, while balancing playing on a competitive club team, plays sand year-round. This translates well to her defensive game on the court, as she does a great job reading the attack and setting herself up for success. Training in the sand, she has gotten quick on her feet, and her reaction time has only improved. Although a defensive specialist, she is more than capable of swinging in the front row and uses her high volleyball IQ to create point-scoring opportunities for herself.     Previous State Rank: #51   New State Rank: #37   Why the rise? Nielsen is an athlete who shows so much improvement each time I watch her play. She has had the opportunity this club season with PVC 18-1 to play six rotations as an outside hitter. Although undersized, standing at 5'6”, she is smart as an attacker with well-placed shots and swings to create point-scoring opportunities. On defense, she is smooth, making great reads on the attack to dig the ball.     Previous State Rank: #49   New State Rank: #40   Why the rise?  Playing for Athena 17 Gold, Williams has greatly elevated her level of play. Previously, she played for Athena 15-2 and 16-2 teams, so to jump to a National level team speaks to her improvement over the past year. She is a powerful attacker with a hammer of an arm that proves lethal from both pins.     Previous State Rank: #64   New State Rank: #43   Why the rise? Christensen has blossomed this club season playing for OJVA 16 Gold. She has been asked to juggle multiple positions depending on the match, being seen both on the right side and in the middle. This speaks to her versatility and athleticism. However, as a leftie, the right side is a natural fit, and she excels there. With a big block and a hammer of an arm, she has been a major contributor to this teams success.     Previous State Rank: #116   New State Rank: #51   Why the rise? Koch didn't get on our radar until she came to the Top 250 Expo, as she lives in St. Paul, and is a four-sport athlete for St. Paul High School. Because of this, she truly has no time to play club volleyball, so high school season is the only opportunity to see her compete. She is an athletic and explosive attacker with a decent vertical jump and a quick arm. It is hard to believe she can maintain this level of skill not playing club, but Koch proves it is possible!

With ranking updates come many shifts in where athletes were previously ranked. There were a handful of athletes that jumped up a significant number of spots in the 2024 rankings. Below are the athletes in the top 51 with the most movement.