Class of 2025: Top Five (and who is knocking on the door)
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Prep Dig Minnesota has updated the Class of 2025 Rankings and let me tell you, this is not an easy job! This class is loaded with talent and you will see that when you look at some club’s 3s and…
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Continue ReadingPrep Dig Minnesota has updated the Class of 2025 Rankings and let me tell you, this is not an easy job! This class is loaded with talent and you will see that when you look at some club’s 3s and 4s teams with players that could potentially make high-level commitments. The craziest part is that this class has just embarked on their time as upperclassmen so they have a couple years to develop yet. Sometimes, the Top 5 are pretty cut and dry or obvious but with this class, the top 10-15 could make the top 5 in some of the other classes. With that being said, let’s take a little look at our Top 5.
Coming in at #5 is Anya Schmidt Anya Schmidt 5’10” | S Rogers | 2025 State MN . Schmidt is a crazy athletic setter/pin hitter. She is a 2-time Class AAAA All-State and All-Tournament Team honoree. Schmidt was also named to the 2022 AVCA Phenom Watchlist and played her club ball with Club Velocity 16-1. Most recently she made her commitment to Division 1 St. Thomas as she heads into her junior season. Schmidt is dynamic as an attacker, setter, as well as relentless as a defender. She puts up a huge block and has a gnarly serve that gives opposing passers nightmares.
She certainly has plenty of competition in the setting position with the likes of: Reese Axness Reese Axness 5’9″ | S Champlin Park | 2025 State MN , Teagan Jaynes Teagan Jaynes 6’0″ | S Northfield | 2025 State MN , Addison Rossum Addison Rossum 5’11” | S Alexandria | 2025 State MN , and Alexis Opland Alexis Opland 6’1″ | S East Ridge | 2025 State MN all within the top 20.
#4 will be 6’5 middle blocker, Keira Schmidt Keira Schmidt 6’4″ | MB Eagan | 2025 State #86 Nation MN . Schmidt has been a little under the radar but has a consistent presence on Northern Lights top team. She was named to the 2023 JVA Watchlist and recently committed to Division 1 Marquette. Schmidt is an intimidating presence at the net both offensive and defensively. She runs a number of routes without hesitation and hs no problem executing the attack. Schmidt is quick laterally and fast in transition to be available to hit a number of different tempos.
She’s in good company with middle blockers: Katie Kelzenberg Katie Kelzenberg 6’2″ | MB Wayzata | 2025 State MN , Carly Slusser Carly Slusser 6’2″ | MB Park | 2025 State MN , Alaina Panagiotopoulos Alaina Panagiotopoulos 6’0″ | OH South St. Paul | 2025 State MN , and Kathryn Adler Kathryn Adler 6’1″ | MB Champlin Park | 2025 State MN all ranked in the top 20.
Libero, McKenna Garr McKenna Garr 5’7″ | DS/L Rush City | 2025 State #126 Nation MN , is staying consistent at #3. This makes sense since she is the ever consistent 1st contact and libero for Northern Lights top team. She was named to the 2023 JVA Watchlist and recently committed to Minnesota. Garr is an impressive defender that trains and competes at a high level to maintain this standing. She gets game saving touches, and makes tough serves look like free balls. Her team is in system a majority of the time because of her movement, technique and communication in the back court.
Garr is pushed by some high level liberos that include: Emerson Dillon Emerson Dillon 5’8″ | DS/L New Prague | 2025 State MN , Gretchen Volk Gretchen Volk 5’8″ | DS/L Willmar | 2025 State MN , Josie Tingelhoff Josie Tingelhoff 5’7″ | DS/L Lakeville South | 2025 State MN , and Ava Boelter Ava Boelter 5’7″ | DS/L Champlin Park | 2025 State MN all ranking in the top 45.
#2 is non-other than Carly Gilk Carly Gilk 6’2″ | RS Champlin Park | 2025 State #27 Nation MN . Gilk is just built like an elite athlete and she has really exploded this past year. In 2022 she earned honors such as being named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist and Class AAAA All-State Team. Gilk took on the MN Select 16-1 squad this past club season and picked up a 2023 JVA Watchlist mention. This summer she committed to play for Minnesota and was invited to the USAV Spring NDTP. She gained valuable experience as an alternate for the U.S. U19 FIVB World Champion team. Gilk has a high ceiling and I’m looking forward to see more growth the next couple years.
Gilk leads the right side attackers including: Kate Holthaus Kate Holthaus 5’11” | RS Rocori | 2025 State MN , Elli Tufto Elli Tufto 6’0″ | RS Prior Lake | 2025 State MN , Addison Ertz Addison Ertz 6’1″ | RS Northfield | 2025 State MN , and Natalie Mix Natalie Mix 5’11” | RS Buffalo | 2025 State MN all ranked in the top 70.
Highlights
And coming in at #1 is Mesaiya Bettis Mesaiya Bettis 6’0″ | OH Burnsville | 2025 State #28 Nation MN . Bettis and Gilk have a lot of the same upsides including really high ceilings. In 2022 she was named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist and in 2023 she made the JVA Watchlist. Bettis was invited to the USAC Spring NDTP and was named a USAV GJNC 16 Open All American. I’m glad to see Bettis making her rounds to check out a number of different schools because there is no limit for her. I’ve seen tremendous gains over the last couple years and I don’t see her slowing down. They both show extroidinary athleticism. One thing that pushes Bettis to a little higher would be the consistently high level she competes at and has found a lot of success at.
Bettis is pushed by a strong crew of outside hitters that include: Ava Ball Ava Ball 6’0″ | OH Nova Classical Academy | 2025 State MN , Hannah Klein Hannah Klein 6’1″ | OH Albany | 2025 State MN , Mia Weaver Mia Weaver 6’0″ | OH Southwest | 2025 State MN , and Hannah Koester Hannah Koester 5’10” | OH Northfield | 2025 State MN all ranked in the top 20.