Class 4 Ballers Ready to Make a Bigger Splash

Continuing with my series, who are those players who were good last year that I expect to be even bigger this season? As I shared in my Class 5 article, this isn't easy but it's fun to look at players who earned minimal minutes or attempts a year ago who displayed just enough to warrant these expectations. Here are the players I think will make a big splash in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='222578' first='Georgia' last='Hite'] - OH - Burroughs - 2026   Hite was on the verge of not being on the splash list last season. After a freshman season that saw her with 180 kills, she was on her way to surpassing those numbers by far with 200 kills in 65 sets. She played in over 100 sets as a freshman so unsure what cut her action last fall. Nonetheless, if she is back on the court and healthy this year expect big things. Last fall saw her playing more six-rotations, so her dig numbers also leaped from her first year. She is a pin who can fill up the stat sheet, so I'm forecasting over 300 kills and 200 digs in 2023.   Taylor Rowerton - OH - Willard - 2026   Rowerton has been productive in her first two seasons of varsity ball. Her time on the court has been consistent between her freshman and sophomore year but her numbers increased across the board. We expect to see an even bigger jump as a junior. She saw action in 72 sets, down slightly from year one but had 139 kills, up from 59. Her dig count went from 47 to 208, which also shows more time spent in the back row. Two areas we expect to see even stronger are her blocking and passing numbers.   Josselyn Smith - MH/OH - Union - 2025   In 476 attempts last season, Smith was able to collect 161 kills. If her attempts go up this fall, expect big numbers from the Union senior. She has spent a lot of her time in the middle, which correlates to attempts so we will see if she will be able to garner some swings on the pin this fall. She was able to get some touches this club season with Franklin County United, which should transfer over to producing a strong final year at Union.   Averi Parker - S - Pacific - 2025   After sharing time a season ago, if Parker is the lone setter we expect her numbers to see an increase this fall. Even if sharing the duties, her experience on the court should still see some movement. She dished 382 assists in her junior season. She also showed she can contribute defensively, adding over 100 digs. After sharing time with a senior last year, expect her to evolve as a leader.   Kennedy Watson - S - Sikeston - 2025   Watson's junior year was going to better her sophomore year statistic-wise by far. In only 52 sets, she had already eclipsed the 2.5 assists per set by averaging 4.9. Her season appears to have ended in mid-October. A full final year could be a banner season for Watson as Sikeston returns enough capable hitters to help those assists numbers increase.   [player_tooltip player_id='493110' first='Riley' last='Reed'] - DS/L - St. Pius X (Kansas City) - 2025   Reed made the move last year from Class 5 Park Hill to Class 4 St. Piux and made an immediate impact in their line-up as a defensive specialist. After graduating one of the top liberos in the state, it will be interesting to see if Pius uses Reed in the libero position. She is solid in her first ball contact and has displayed good court awareness. She tallied over 2 digs per set as a junior.   Sophia Podgornik - DS/L - DeSoto - 2025   In only 58 sets last year, Podgornik averaged over 10 digs per match. If she is back on the court and plays in all matches, we could see over 400 digs in her final season. In the passing department, she was equally impressive, tallying 300 receptions, just under 16 per match.   Addison McNeive - DS/L - Notre Dame De Sion - 2026   I think McNeive is on the brink of a big season patrolling the back row this fall for Sion. It's not like she wasn't good in 2023, evidenced by her 290 digs in 72 sets. The reason for optimism for an even bigger year is seeing the jump from year one to two, along with potentially more sets played this fall. After a strong club season, it wouldn't surprise me to see dig numbers in the mid to upper 400 range and 50-plus service aces.

Continuing with my series, who are those players who were good last year that I expect to be even bigger this season? As I shared in my Class 5 article, this isn't easy but it's fun to look at players who earned minimal minutes or attempts a year ago who displayed just enough to warrant these expectations. Here are the players I think will make a big splash in 2024.