What Mid-Majors Inked Nationally Ranked 2025s?

The term “Mid Major” can sometimes have a negative connotation to some, but in the same breath these teams love to play the spoilers.  San Diego made a huge statement making the Final Four in 2022, being an example for mid major programs across the country who are looking to breakthrough to that next level of the post season.  Many of the athletes below are heading to programs that are outside of the “Power 4”, but they are programs all in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth and beyond.    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AVC Cleveland forces an Adrenaline timeout up 12-9 in set one. Belle Groomes of <a href="https://twitter.com/avcvolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@avcvolleyball</a> is one of the most dynamic setters in the Class of 2025. She is committed to <a href="https://twitter.com/USDToreros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USDToreros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gjnc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gjnc</a>— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1809667990784471440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>    Groomes committed to San Diego the season after they made their run to the final four.  She's trading in Ohio winters for California sunshine where she is the type of athlete who can make an immediate impact.  She has been a setter/right side for AVC Cleveland where as a setter she brings a big left handed swing on the second contact.  Watching her on the club courts, she puts so much pressure on the other side of the net where they always need to know where she is along the net.  A total QB1 who is sure to make an impact on the West Coast Conference.     <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Starting to get to some different courts. A few names to know from 15 Open Jenna Cogill - <a href="https://twitter.com/az_stormvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@az_stormvbc</a> Izabella Mahaffey - <a href="https://twitter.com/az_stormvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@az_stormvbc</a> Ava Poinsett - <a href="https://twitter.com/CoastVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoastVBC</a> Paulina Baillie - <a href="https://twitter.com/CoastVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoastVBC</a> Taylor Cook - Skyline 15 Royal— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1541415599519285261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>    I remember first watching Poinsett at nationals her 15s year for Coast volleyball.  From an early age she had such a violent swing where she could cause plenty of chaos for the other side.  She has all the shots in the book where she can swing hard cross, line, a roll shot over the block, and is someone who is a lethal attacker from the backrow.  She will be part of a solid recruiting class heading to Yale where they are also bringing in other West coast athletes in Yuri Park and Mae Kordaes.  Yale has been dominating the Ivy League and with these recruits coming in from the Class of 2025, look for them to continue.        Jillian Gregory has been a stud for Shockwave VBC and Maize South in the Wichita area where she will be heading a bit West to play for Wyoming.  She is a 5'11 six rotation outside hitter whose leaping ability is a bit different.  While also being a track standout, she has a high contact point and has shown the ability to hit from the pin on a quick tempo. She has a unique ability to make shots and make something out of nothing.  Her game will translate well to Laramie and the Mountain West Conference.        Jessica Costlow has put together quite a prep career, teaming up with Michigan Elite where they have put together some huge wins, landing in the gold bracket across plenty of national open events, including this past year's 17 Open championships in Vegas.  She has great ball control and the ability to handle a high volume of serves being a primary passer.  The 2025 recruiting class for Toledo could be a special one where they will also have Mariah Gaines who is a standout outside hitter from the Cincinnati area.  This duo could take the Rockets to a new level.      SEMO recently won the OVC regular season championship and will be hosting the OVC Tournament next week.  They have been bringing in some big time recruits in the Midwest and Reagan Nelson will be a headliner for them out of the Class of 2025.  She has a blend of physicality and finesse that has been key to the success for High Performance St. Louis the past couple seasons.  She can pass, serve receive, and make shots.  Her athleticism allows her to make a lot of out of system plays successful.  The Cape looks like it will continue their winning ways.        Illinois State is starting to bring in some big commits to get back to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.  Ella Craggs is a big name for the Redbirds where she is one of the top setters out of Michigan from the Class of 2025.  She has over 3,000 assists in her high school career and has been an AAU All American for Michigan Elite.  What sets Craggs apart is her ability to run a fast tempo offense, putting the ball on the money.  She has a great foundation with her footwork and a smooth release with her hands. Another big name commit where there can be plenty of connections with in the future is Nekhaela Rogers out of Texas who is a nationally ranked prospect as well.     <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kate Rush of <a href="https://twitter.com/Lex_UnitedVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lex_UnitedVB</a> 17s is so fun to watch, great footwork and hands. She just makes plays. Makes total sense she is a <a href="https://twitter.com/WKUVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WKUVolleyball</a> commit <a href="https://t.co/zSfFtC9wMy">pic.twitter.com/zSfFtC9wMy</a>— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1753787346137280554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>    I saw Rush play for Lexington United at Central Zone this past year and was enamored with her ability to make plays and command an offense.  Rush will be staying in state to play for Western Kentucky who is a perennial NCAA tournament team.  She has the length, athleticism, and intangibles to do some special things at the next level.  When watching Rush, there isn't much of a weakness to her game.  She has consistency with her location, she knows when to attack, she is a great defender at the net and the back court, and she knows how to win.     <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BreAnna McMillan of <a href="https://twitter.com/TriangleVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TriangleVB</a> was crushing it when I saw her at NLQ and she's doing it again. Super dynamic lefty who can set and swing. The energy on this court >>>> <a href="https://t.co/Q7Q18Vk1X9">pic.twitter.com/Q7Q18Vk1X9</a>— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1542508478622597122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>    South Florida is sitting at the top of the American Athletic Conference and will look to add to an already talented core group with their Class of 2025.  One of the key commits in this class is Breanna McMillan out of North Carolina who has been a key piece to the success of Triangle Volleyball Club.  She has played up an age division in years past and I remember her playing her 15s year at the Northern Lights Qualifier.  Her all around is unique where she is a high level setter and attacker. She can jump to set or jump to turn and swing.  She can be very physical at the net and is a solid all around defender as well.  Her upside at the next level is exciting and is such a great fit for South Florida.

The term “Mid Major” can sometimes have a negative connotation to some, but in the same breath these teams love to play the spoilers. San Diego made a huge statement making the Final Four in 2022, being an example for mid major programs across the country who are looking to breakthrough to that next level of the post season. Many of the athletes below are heading to programs that are outside of the “Power 4”, but they are programs all in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth and beyond.