Class 5 Ready For the Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The anticipation/guessing game is fun. The idea of trying to determine who is the next player ready to have a big season. It's never easy but it doesn't stop us from trying. That brings us to this article. Who are the players in Class 5 who I deem may be ready for the spotlight? These are players who contributed the previous season but might have a breakout season in 2024 with more playing time and/or opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357571' first='Chesnie' last='King'] - RS - Grain Valley - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King had a solid sophomore season for Grain Valley. The left-handed right side played in 91 sets and contributed 173 kills, shy of 2 per set. After a strong spring for her Mavs 816 Club, I expect her numbers to be higher in her junior season. I could see her being effective from the back row in helping her team score points if her defense allows playing time back there. She continues to grow as a blocker and we should see strides in that area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooke Heimburger - OH - Nerinx Hall - 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0" outside built on her sophomore campaign by totaling 178 kills as a junior, up 128. We think entering her final season she can eclipse the 300 total as she will be counted on to produce more in 2024. She competed with HPSTL 17 Royal this previous club season. She displayed her ability to score on the pin and was effective at tooling the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isabella Sohl - S - Rock Bridge - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's all about the system with this call. Sohl played in a two-setter offense a year ago and had 386 assists on the year. With her partner graduating, will she lead the show solo or get another partner for the 2024 season? If she is a one-woman show, expect her numbers and play to elevate in her junior season after being productive for HPSTL 16 Royal this spring, helping them to a top-20 finish at nationals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Irelynn Stover - S - Mehlville - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, Stover saw action in 63 sets and averaged over 5 assists per. A three-sport standout will try to bring leadership to a team that struggled offensively last season. With a few experienced players back on the pin, this should help her numbers rise this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Fu - L/DS - Parkway South - 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fu has increased in her playing time each season and with more action we saw her stats increase with career highs in sets played and digs in 2024. After seeing consistent playing time as a junior, we expect that experience to provide dividends in her final year. She collected 293 digs a year ago and plays her club ball with [program_tooltip program_id='428820' first='Team' last='Momentum']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ella Ludwig - L/DS - Blue Springs - 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The impactful 5'5" defender had a breakout year as a junior and will look to build on that in her final high school season. She played in 91 sets and collected 316 digs on the year. After a season of navigating the back row and reading defenses, I wouldn't be shocked to see her closer to 500 this fall. She shined for her Invasion team this spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->