Rising Sophmores Look to Continue High Level H.S. Effort

Here are five athletes that showed up in a big way in 2025 during their freshman season for their respective high schools. Expect them to continue establishing their value and impact as they embark on year two. With nothing to prove given their talent is no secret, it will be fun to see how each of these athletes repeat and build upon their impressive starts to their varsity careers.    The current top prospect in the Ohio 2029 class, Waleskowsi raised her stock even further during the club season as she was often a key catalyst for her NKYVC 16U club team as a dual threat setting and with her arm. She will head back to St. Ursula for her sophmore season after SUA lost a tough 3-2 match in the DI region finals. Waleskowski is on a list of great athletes in the GGCL that should be in the conversation for Player of the Year when all is said and done in 2026. The only freshman selected 1st team all league last fall, she will combine with other solid returners to have them in the mix for a league title and perhaps a deeper postseason run this coming season.     Templin (*pictured) was a juggernaut of an offensive threat at Harrison last season as she averaged 5.2 k/s in her first varsity season. The recent club season was a great showcase of her complete skill set as she continues to establish herself as a six-rotation pin that can contribute in a variety of phases. Her passing has improved in the quality of her movement and angles while her length is a big asset defensively in the back row and as a big block on the left side of the court. Combined with the heat she can bring, Templin is poised to make an even bigger impact this coming fall.     Sarka is another athlete with good length and versatile skills. As she grew her experience as a primary option with her Oiler Attack team, she will enter the fall season as part of Columbus Grove's returning duo that did the bulk of their point scoring in 2025. Sarka, at 6'0, gets off the floor well as she will see opportunities through varied options between the pins. She also can pass and swing along with put up a big block as she fills up space well at the net. Sarka was a Putnam County League 2nd team selection last season.     Jankowski knows how to compete. The primary six-rotation pin is complete in what she brings to the floor, including confidence and poised effort to help her team in any way she can. With over 450 total kills in her first season, she averaged 4.8 k/s along with nearly 10 digs per match. Hoover finished 18-6 overall in 2025 and will enter the fall season without one of their key arms due to graduation. As she led the Federal League offensively last season, expect the 2025 Ohio breakout player of the year to fill that offensive void valiantly. However, this group may need some support to help free her up and limit her workload.     Redman made a statement in her first season with Colonel Crawford as the Eagles experienced some of their best competitive success in recent years as they finished 2025 16-9 overall. Redman earned multiple accolades after leading her team offensively at 4.1 k/s and 9.4 d/m. In Division VI, she was a 1st team all league, district, and region selection before contributing as a key factor for her Black Swamp team in the latter months of the club cycle. Expect the gains she made competitively and in her skill growth to lead a key group of returners for the Eagles as they look to continue their surge towards finishing over .500 in Northern 10 conference play.

Here are five athletes that showed up in a big way in 2025 during their freshman season for their respective high schools. Expect them to continue establishing their value and impact as they embark on year two. With nothing to prove given their talent is no secret, it will be fun to see how each of these athletes repeat and build upon their impressive starts to their varsity careers.