New Rankings: Class of 2023 Top 10
We will switch up our format for the Class of 2023. We won’t utilize quotes from college coaches due to the fact they aren’t even recruitable yet due to NCAA rules. This class may potentially produce the best crop of…
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Continue ReadingWe will switch up our format for the Class of 2023. We won’t utilize quotes from college coaches due to the fact they aren’t even recruitable yet due to NCAA rules. This class may potentially produce the best crop of setters from the state in quite some time. Four setters, yes FOUR make up the top 10. Because of their talent level, we had to pivot from the ranking by position because we couldn’t leave them off this list. As shared before our 2021 release, these rankings are based on college potential from the eyes of a panel of college coaches. Their opinions are not gospel, but they have a good eye for talent. Here are the Top 20.
Ella Swindle Ella Swindle 6'2" | S Rock Bridge | 2023 State #6 Nation MO – 6’2″ S – Rock Bridge High School – KC Power
Before being named to the USA National Youth Team, it only took being at the NIT Triple Crown to know how big of a prospect Swindle was. If you were at this pre-season club tournament you would have seen a Who’s Who of top coaches from top programs hanging around her court. It didn’t take long to see why the hype. Her height. Her volleyball IQ. Her athleticism. Her ball placement. She is the real deal and not only the top player in Missouri for her class but easily one of the top in the nation.
Reagan Fox Reagan Fox 6'2" | OH St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State #104 Nation MO – 6’2″ OH – St. Teresa’s Academy – KC Power
Swindle is very good. Fox helps in making her look good on the club scene. The 6’2″ outside hitter is as good as they come in this class. She displays tremendous skill and has an arsenal of shots to use on the court. Her size is an advantage but she can jump quite well to complement her height. She will continue to elevate her game as she gets stronger and may even have another inch or two left in her.
Calissa Minatee Calissa Minatee 6'0" | MB North Kansas City | 2023 State #25 Nation MO – 6’0″ MB – North Kansas City High School – Dynasty
You may not find a more athletic player in this class in the state. A couple of years ago she was raw with great potential. Since then she has emerged as a high prospect for many college programs. She can score with the best of them. She has a slide in her tool kit and also pretty solid defensively. She helped her high school team to a big turnaround a year ago.
Sophia Carlson Sophia Carlson 5'11" | OH Lindbergh | 2023 NC – 5’11” OH – Lindbergh High School – Rockwood Thunder
Carlson is a straight gamer. She plays bigger than her 5’11” frame on the pins. She brings power and explosion to the table. She has decent jumping ability and at her age may be able to sneak another inch or two, which would be huge for her recruitment. She has shown she can pass the ball, which is always a check in the box for college recruiters.
Sydney Draper Sydney Draper 5'11" | S Pembroke Hill | 2023 State #143 Nation MO – 5’10” S – Pembroke Hill School – KC Power
Draper does many things for her high school program and does them all well. On the club scene, she is magical as a setter. You see her and Swindle on this list and think what a dynamic duo. Draper plays up an age group and is still among the top in the country in that division. She is physical, which you love in your setter. She is a true difference-maker on the court and being pursued by several programs.
Logan Jones Logan Jones 5'10" | S Carl Junction | 2023 State #57 Nation MO – 5’10” S – Carl Junction High School – Mavs KC
Logan Jones Logan Jones 5'10" | S Carl Junction | 2023 State #57 Nation MO has decided to move her club action to Kansas City this upcoming season. She will be an immediate impact player for Mavs KC. She had a really solid freshman campaign for Carl Junction a season ago. She is another young setter who still may have an inch or two in her, which will make potential college coaches even more happier. She has an extreme level of confidence, something you love to see from your setter.
Jordyn Lochmann Jordyn Lochmann 6'0" | OH Lafayette | 2023 State MO – 6’0″ OH – Lafayette High School – Rockwood Thunder
Lochmann is an exciting talent to watch on the court. She has great poise for her age and will be a huge factor in how far her high school team advances this fall. She has a lively arm but also very smart in her placement. She is also a good blocker and will only get better in this area as she gets older.
Elise Paul Elise Paul 6'0" | MB Lutheran South | 2023 State MO – 6’0″ MB Lutheran South High School – High Performance St. Louis
Many coaches think Paul has a ton of potential and will continue to improve her already quality skill set. She moves well at the net and hits a solid ball. She knows she is going to see a big block and is still fearless on every swing. She has a good touch and knows when to find the open floor with a tip. When you watch her game, you will recognize blocking is a strong strength. Her timing when blocking back row attacks is always right on time. She is another young athlete who will improve with strength training.
Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO – 5’10” S – Liberty High School – Dynasty
The final setter to round out this group, Mullen shouldn’t have any shame still joining the top 10. She is an experienced setter and has led a strong Dynasty team for the last couple of seasons. She split time in the role last fall for her high school but should take over the job full-time this fall. She is known for great ball placement and her ability to make the right choices on where to send the ball. Her height is an advantage, as it makes her an offensive threat but also gives her a true blocking presence at the net.
Madison Smith Madison Smith 5'7" | DS/L St. Joseph’s Academy | 2023 State MO – 5’7″ L – St. Joseph – Rockwood Thunder
Smith’s instincts and first step are out of this world. She gets touches on balls many would give up on. Her ability to get balls up allows her team to still find opportunities to win a rally. She is not afraid to lay out and sacrifice her body. In serve and receive, her passing is pinpoint and allows her setter 3 options a large majority of the time. She has a high awareness and does a great job of covering her hitters. She is your prototype defender.