Who's Having the Best Rookie Season in 2024?

<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h5>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code <strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong> for $$ off!</em></h5>   <p>–</p>   <p>It's always exciting to see which players emerge in their freshman seasons. For some, it takes some time to grow into the greats of tomorrow and for others, they waste no time making themselves known. </p>   <p>This fall has been one of those that has seen a lot of impact rookies putting their game on full display for everyone to see. </p>   <p>From just about every position on the court, however, I am impressed to see just how many of these impact players are coming from the liberos and six rotation players. These are some of the hardest roles to step into in your first season on the squad. These fresh faces do it well.</p>   <p>Here's a look at some of the top rookies in 2024. Who do you think is having the best freshman season this fall?</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01600_f9be0e-crop-4980x3270-1722985293.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-587561" style="width:320px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] - Marian</h2>   <p>This player wasted no time wedging herself into the forefront of one of the top programs in Michigan HS Volleyball. [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] had a lot of hype around her coming into her rookie season and has yet to disappoint. As the Mustang's starting libero, Pelon has amassed over 330 digs, leading her team by nearly 150 digs. She has also proved to be quite the threat behind the service line with nearly 50 aces on the fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff'] - Country Day</h2>   <p>Detroit Country Day is having one of their best seasons in program history in 2024. Much of that is to the thanks of this freshman phenom, [player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff']. It's not everyday you see a freshman make as much of an impact as this one has, and doing so in one of the most important positions on the court. DCD is currently the No. 3 ranked team in Division II after spending weeks atop the list. This comes at the hands of Woodruff as she is one the state's leaders in assists per set at 10.1. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe'] - Bloomfield Hills</h2>   <p>Bloomfield Hills has been rumbling for the last few seasons with the play of [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] (Harvard). All they seem to need was another hitter or two to add some depth. Providing more than depth, but another threat to this squad, is [player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']. Stepping into the game at six rotations, looking extremely comfortable, Stakoe has been steady averaging over 2 kills and 2 digs per set. She also adds some more point scoring from the service line, as she is the aces leader for this team with 38.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/addison-nostrandt-crop-1640x1077-1721929089.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-575965" style="width:325px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt'] - Birch Run</h2>   <p>This player is no stranger to playing with the older kids, as she has done it for many years on the club circuit. At Birch Run, [player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt'] has wasted little time in cemented herself as the starting libero for the Panthers. She is the silent killer in the back row that is leading the defense. With their tough defense, Birch Run has found themselves running away with the MMAC title in their first year in the conference. This is due in large part to the play of this rookie. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='560553' first='Macaire' last='Kudary'] - Traverse City Central</h2>   <p>I got to get a good look at what [player_tooltip player_id='560553' first='Macaire' last='Kudary'] at the Michigan Freshman Showcase in August. I was impressed then and am even more so now seeing the way she has been playing. Traverse City Central is one of those dark horse teams coming into the post-season here in a few weeks and Kudary is a big part of why. This player is consistently finding ways to keep herself involved in the offense and adding a nice add depth to the offense across the net.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01477.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-586538" style="width:336px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] - Stoney Creek</h2>   <p>This is another highly anticipated player entering her freshman season. Needless to say, she has not disappointed any sort of expectation. [player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] is a leader in many ways. For Stoney Creek, she leads the charge as the team's top scorer with 3.5 kills per set and 35 aces on the season. For her class, she is the state leader with 260 kills and ranks within the top 15 for aces. Traditionally a middle blocker, Sheldon has been seen primarily on the pins this fall and looks right at home.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710234' first='Olivia' last='Tyler'] - Jonesville </h2>   <p>You don't hear much rumblings out of this area of the state, but I think that may change with the play of [player_tooltip player_id='710234' first='Olivia' last='Tyler'] at Jonesville. Following behind [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'], not by much, [player_tooltip player_id='710234' first='Olivia' last='Tyler'] is another rookie atop the dig stats in Michigan. With 322 on the season, Tyler is an instrumental part of Jonesville success. While this team is not known for its fire power, it is Tyler's defense that keeps them in the tight matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710236' first='Morgan' last='Borodychuk'] - Mount Pleasant</h2>   <p>I am not sure if the Oilers would've finished just shy of a Saginaw Valley championship if it weren't for this freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='710236' first='Morgan' last='Borodychuk'] is a raw talent. She offers up a lot of potential for the Oilers to tap into for years to come. Seeing time just about everywhere across the front line, Borodychuk is one of the top newbies in both the kills and blocks department with 168 and 35 respectively. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='587012' first='Lauren' last='West'] - Croswell-Lexington</h2>   <p>Croswell-Lexington constantly finds ways to develop players into standouts in the Division II space. It's looking to be that [player_tooltip player_id='587012' first='Lauren' last='West'] is one of those next power players for the Pioneers. Well in the mix for team leaders in kills, West is in the top five for top scoring freshman in Michigan. West has continued to show signs of brilliance and huge growth throughout the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710238' first='Harper' last='Schaedig'] - Lowell</h2>   <p>It's been awhile since Lowell has been a big contender in the Division I space. However, with the way that this rookie developing, I wouldn't be surprised to see them rise back to the top once more. [player_tooltip player_id='710238' first='Harper' last='Schaedig'] is the next franchise player for the Arrows. Leading the state with 229 kills for the freshman class, Shaedig has taken a lot of swings this season. A cannon of an arm on the left pin, this is a player to keep a close eye on. </p>