2025 National Rankings Highlights: Stars from America's Heartland

What a time to roll out the <a href="https://prepdig.com/national/rankings/2025-rankings/">Prep Dig 2025 National Rankings</a>!   We're quickly approaching that magic date when recruiting contact opens up for the Class of 2025. It all starts on June 15th, marking the beginning of a journey to find the right fit at the next level. Before that flurry of activity kicks off, we wanted to highlight a special group of 2025 athletes who have dazzled us at just about any prep volleyball venue imaginable.   I've been lucky enough to cover many of the athletes who now appear on our first national release of the 2025 rankings. This year's club season has offered a broad glimpse at this star-studded group, and I've plenty of highlights and memories to share.   I'm not straying far from home for this first feature. The Great Plains is loaded with talent from the Class of 2025, and I haven't had to travel far to find it. Here are a few standouts from America's heartland that have brought excitement and awe to our event coverage.     Two for Nebraska ONE   You already know where I'm starting. There's no place like home.   Nebraska has placed two athletes in our 2025 national rankings, and they're club teammates who have created quite an imposing tandem. Middle blocker Natalie Wardlow and libero Keri Leimbach are racking up big-time accolades while competing with Nebraska ONE 16 Synergy. It should be no surprise to see them on the national rankings, and I surely vouched for their inclusion.   Wardlow's stock has skyrocketed in recent weeks. Her physicality along the net has always made her a can't-miss prospect, but her well-rounded game and tremendous instincts will make her a coveted 2025 prospect. She has found another gear with Nebraska ONE this year and will be the focal point of the team's frontcourt at Nationals.   And while Wardlow has been lighting it up in the front row, Leimbach has been 16 Synergy's unbreakable wall along the end line. Breaking into the national rankings as a libero is a high honor, so Leimbach obviously has the technical skills to thrive at the next level. But perhaps my favorite part of Leimbach's game is her obvious competitive drive and vocal on-court leadership. That drive to win yields the incredible intensity we see from Leimbach whenever she's in the spotlight, and it has also generated some impressive results. Two state championships with Lincoln Lutheran and yet another appearance in the Open division at Nationals are further testaments to this libero's greatness.   Way to represent the Cornhusker State.   <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/1588988353214840833?s=20 </div></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/1627303430359220227?s=20 </div></figure>   The Dynasty Duo   It was no mystery that Reese Messer and Abigail Mullen were going to end up in our top ten. They've both been trailblazers for the Dynasty program--all while playing up an age group.   This year's club season has offered another glimpse at Dynasty 17 Black's dominant nationally-ranked duo from the Class of 2025. Messer is an elite setter whose footspeed and fast-paced style have made her a can't-miss prospect at the national level. Some setters just have that "gunslinger" mentality, and I'd certainly put Messer in that category. She frequently makes risky sets--and somehow turns them into perfect dimes. Coaches looking to operate an up-tempo offense will surely covet Messer's experience in that area.   Then there's Mullen, a six-rotation opposite who brings a rare set of skills to 17 Black's lineup. Her ability to lock down a vital serve receive role as a right-side hitter is something to behold, and that's not even factoring in her penchant for producing eye-popping attacks. Mullen always has an even-keeled on-court demeanor, even on some massive stages like last summer's Pan American Cup. She is ready for anything.   <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/1505534587799314440?s=20 </div></figure>     More Kansas City Firepower   Let's stay in Kansas City for a little longer. Here are a couple of quick hitters on some other KC standouts who have shined en route to a spot in our rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09502.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333915" width="457" height="304" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Parks</figcaption></figure>   What a run to the top for Logan Parks, a MAVS athlete who has recently garnered some Team USA experience of her own. Parks is unique given that she can be an elite D1 contributor at two different positions. Her spectacular hands at the setter spot might be her best attribute, but her right-side attacking as an opposite is not far behind. MAVS allows Parks to take over matches in both roles.   The other athlete I wanted to mention here is another one that could be classified as a multi-position star: KC Power's Alea Goolsby. The Saint Thomas Aquinas prep star plays up an age group with KC Power and has long been a six-rotation mainstay with 17 Black. That's because she can pass and play defense like a libero in addition to her high-flying terminations as an outside hitter. Goolsby's versatility will make her a fascinating prospect for recruiters nationwide.     In the STL   Let's trek across the Show Me State and give shoutouts to a quartet of St. Louis-area athletes.   Maya Witherspoon and Jordan Smith are both carrying the torch for Rockwood Thunder in our national rankings. Witherspoon plays up for the club's top 17s group and has been an incredibly dynamic attacker at multiple positions. She has played middle blocker in past seasons, but now she's showing her all-around skills on the pin for 17 Elite.   Smith joins Witherspoon on 17 Elite, a team that earned an Open bid at Windy City this year. This physical pin hitter factored heavily in that march to the title match. Her length makes her an incredibly intimidating force on the right pin, and Smith can carry that clutch factor in the backcourt, too.   HPSTL is another club that shined at Windy City behind dominant performances from Reagan Nelson and Tara Greenberry. Good luck stopping this duo in the frontcourt. Nelson brings the heat on the pin while Greenberry gets it done in the middle. If you're looking for a sleeper team in this year's 16 Open field at GJNC, go with the squad that boasts these nationally-ranked attackers.   <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/1619374039591690243?s=20 </div></figure>     On to Iowa   Finally, a tip of the cap to the Hawkeye State.   Chloe Meester and Abbey Hayes are going to be monster hauls for whichever college(s) wins that recruiting battle. Both have been extraordinary terminal and have helped put Iowa clubs on the map in recent seasons. We will always endorse that.

What a time to roll out the Prep Dig 2025 National Rankings!