Stock Risers In The Class Of ’25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the release of the new-and-improved class of 2025 rankings comes the notion that things changed, which they did. What we didn't anticipate is the level of change and improvement from a great number of athletes in Indiana. Here are five players from the class of '25 that turned their rising stock into a college commitment before their senior year in high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='192109' first='Ella' last='Watford'], 5-6 DS/L, Mishawaka, Tennessee Tech commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittedly, I am not the greatest at covering "the region" when it comes to high level volleyball. I, like anyone else that participates in this sport, only know big time players that have committed to a Power 4 school. Ella is the perfect example of a kid who stayed with the grind, worked hard over a number of years, and turned it into a solid commit. Ella is an athletic libero that stays on her feet more than most and has a solid base to go with quiet arms in serve receive. This is a huge pickup for the Awesome Eagles, as she's a plug-and-play option for the fall of '25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='162649' first='Bryn' last='Vanvleet'], 5-10 OH, Seton Catholic, Cleveland State commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching this kid play in high school, it was almost unfair of her to go against other teams in the 1A category. Seton is one of the smallest schools in the state, but NONE of those teams she plays has kids that play like she does. She really shined in multiple tournaments last club season in multiple situations against open-level players and teams. A Division 1 six-rotation outside, Bryn honed her skills last spring to the tune of a Horizon League commitment, which is well-earned and well-deserved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber'], 6-0 OH, NorthWood, Wheeling commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What an absolute steal for Wheeling, a major Division 2 program that flirts with the top 25 year-in and year-out. Big and physical, Sophia can hit in-system and out-of-system balls with the same pace and heavy contact every time, making her a tough kid to defend against. After her training at Empowered last spring, she became even more well-rounded and turned all of that work into a commit that fits her skills perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='254825' first='Kennedy' last='Horn'], 6-3 MB, Columbus North, Seton Hall commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boy, I was WAY off on this one. Kennedy has improved over the past two years that she doesn't even <em>look</em> like the same kid from two seasons ago. Watching her dominate from the middle has been an absolute treat this past spring and summer, and I'll be at CN twice this fall to cover her Bulldogs some more. Her length and power are her calling cards, and she has a relentless motor that can't be taught. Of the five on this list, this commit is to the highest profile school and conference, and should make waves immediately upon arrival at the Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='192089' first='Lydia' last='Hartman'], 5-8 DS/L, Perry Meridian, Missouri-Saint Louis commit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of steals for top-ranked Division II schools, UMSL got a GREAT one in Lydia. A passing machine, Miss Hartman has quick feet and a solid base to go along with her anticipation and readability of the play. The Tritons finished last season 5th in the AVCA Division II poll, with eyes on advancing to the big match at the end. There's a VERY good possibility that Lydia is the missing piece to UMSL's goals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->