The First Official 2027 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is time! We took our shot at our first 2027 rankings. Up to this point, we started with a watch list and added players to that list in December. After a freshman season of high school ball and a full spring of tournaments, it's time to give it a crack. We are starting with 130 players in our initial rankings. With each update, we typically add more players. I saw quite a few of the players in the top half live this fall or spring, and I have watched extensive videos of them in action. I think it's important with the first official ranking to share the process and what I look for. I don't scout players before high school because I think it's too early. I wait until after a club season because we see them matched up with more consistent competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For pins, 6 rotation players who can dominate on the pin and play stellar back-row defense get priority. A middle who can terminate at high percentages in numerous zones and a high-level blocker gets priority. The setter who has great hands and ball placement but is also aggressive offensively and plays solid defense from right back in a one-setter system gets a little more love than one in a two-setter offense. The opposite who can fill up the stat sheet with kills and help shut down the left pin across the net, rise to the top. If they can also play 6 rotations, that's huge. Lastly, the libero and defense specialists with high passing numbers that make the routine and difficult plays are premium. If you want to impress me, be consistent on second ball sets and you move up even more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some players obviously will get missed in the first ranking and we appreciate all feedback. Besides myself, we've had another Missouri scout over the last few years assisting. We also accept names from club coaches to check out. Players can ask to be evaluated for a spot in our rankings. As each year passes, one of the main things I look at is how a player shows as a college prospect. Athletes who are high in the USA Volleyball pipeline, playing on higher tier (Open, USA, etc.) teams, and performing with success on the high school level are some but not all factors. In the coming days, we will introduce some of the players in our first ranking starting with our top ten, followed by 11-20. From there, we will also highlight players from different position groups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In keeping with my tradition, congratulations to our initial top 5. Tomorrow's article will go into more of a profile of this bunch. Our first top 5 includes [player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'], a 6'3" outside hitter from [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] Elite and Lafayette High School. In the second spot, [player_tooltip player_id='544673' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'], an impressive middle blocker standing at 6'3" representing St. Louis High Performance and Lindbergh. St. Joseph and Rockwood outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='545157' first='Sophia' last='Kaburakis'] is our first-ranked player. At 5'10", she is cool and collected on the floor. Rarely do we have a right side in the top 5 but we do with HPSTL player [player_tooltip player_id='544668' first='Madelyn' last='Mannebach']. The way she terminates balls on the right pin is fun to watch. And in the 5th position, another right-side. Switching back to Rockwood, [player_tooltip player_id='544677' first='Caroline' last='Tenholder'] comes in with her 6'0" frame. Offensively and defensively, she's a treat to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may appear we have a St. Louis bias going early and I can't help these players are legit! Stay tuned over the next week as we highlight more players from the class of 2027. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->