Players to Watch – Class 5

Ryan Johnson November 4, 2024 @ 11:43 PM

Class 5 is a stacked field with the state's finest players. If you want to see some terrific volleyball this week, check out Class 5. Here are nine players I'm excited to watch this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'] – 2027 – 6'3" – Opposite – Lafayette   With the best jump serve I've seen this season, Shaye will take you out of the system on the first contact. When hitting, her point of contact is so high she's hitting over the block. Shaye is the leader in kills for Lafayette with 424, and she can hit anywhere on the court. One of the best players in Missouri regardless of class.   [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'] – 2025 – 6'0" – Outside – Lafayette   I watched Lafayette during the Rockwood Tournament, and Maya wasn't hitting the way she did in the quarterfinals. The pop off the ball and the speed are tough for players to contain. Not only is she a great hitter, but her defense over the last two years has improved to be one of the state's best six-rotation outside hitters.   [player_tooltip player_id='737722' first='Carly' last='Desarno'] – 2025 – 5'8" – Setter – Lafayette   She waited till her last year to take the reigns of this potent offense and has done a spectacular job. She's a quick setter with great accuracy and can flat-out play defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='153930' first='Abigail' last='Mullen'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Opposite – Liberty   I'm excited to watch one of the nation's best opposite hitters. I've only watched her on film and now in person. She can do everything from ball control to finesse to bouncing balls. She will be a highlight reel this week at the final four.   [player_tooltip player_id='219760' first='Megan' last='Bishton'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Middle – Liberty   Megan will be one of the best blocking middles in the final four—a big, strong player who transitions well and hits a heavy ball. If you want to stop Megan, you better double up on her, or she will easily hit around your block.   [player_tooltip player_id='219778' first='Tara' last='Venable'] – 2026 – 5'11" – Outside – Ozark   Tara has always been a power hitter at Ozark, but she's added more to her game this season. She's now a six-rotation outside who plays excellent defense and can hammer the heck out of the ball. She went from rarely playing defense to only behind the libero for digs on the team. Tara already has 1182 career kills and has another year to play.   [player_tooltip player_id='237807' first='Reece' last='Cook'] – 2025 – 5'7" – Setter – Ozark   Another player I'm excited to watch in person. Her highlights are impressive, so in-person should be fun. It's like she's been at Ozark forever, and that's because she puts up ridiculous numbers each season. She averaged around 1125 assists for the last three years and has 3372. A big weekend for Reece could give her over 3500 for her career.   [player_tooltip player_id='170047' first='Danielle' last='Moore'] – 2025 – 6'2" – Opposite – Francis Howell   Danielle has one of the best-hitting years I've seen in a while. She has 616 kills, and hitting .295 is ridiculous. I've watched teams cheat on her and build mountains to stop her. You can't! She is a force at the opposite. She can hit over, around, and through you if necessary. Watch Danielle this week because she's going to get a ton of attempts and kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='174285' first='Avery' last='Helms'] – 2025 – 5'9" – Libero – Francis Howell   Avery is one of those players you watch, and you leave thinking how she got that ball up. She is simply incredible. She is tall enough for the position, quick, reads the hitters, and is a perfect passer. Don't let her touch the ball if you want to beat her team. Never hit the ball in her direction because she plays the position flawlessly.

Class 5 is a stacked field with the state's finest players. If you want to see some terrific volleyball this week, check out Class 5. Here are nine players I'm excited to watch this week.