Where Are They Now: A Prospective For Aspiring Players
Sunday many of us sat around and watched Selection Sunday, the day we find out which 64 teams have the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament. Additionally, we learn what 32 teams get to participate in the NIVC Tournament.…
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Continue ReadingSunday many of us sat around and watched Selection Sunday, the day we find out which 64 teams have the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament. Additionally, we learn what 32 teams get to participate in the NIVC Tournament. The NCAA Division II tournament also kicks off this week. The NJCAA and NAIA are off and running. I want to do something different this year. Many athletes aspire to play volleyball at the next level. This is a dream and goal many work hard towards for years. Last year was my first full year working with our player rankings. I thought it would be fun to take a look at a range of players from the class of 2021 and see how their first seasons went or is going leading into tournament week. This is two-fold from my perspective. We can see how accurate we were in our rankings and where our team and network of contributing minds got it right. We also want the younger athletes to see both how hard it is to play at the next level and how there are ample opportunities available for those who work hard to achieve this dream.
Top 6
Kristen Birmingham – University of Oklahoma
Park Hill graduate Birmingham had an admirable debut season for Oklahoma of the Big XII conference. It appears she made the jump from the left pin to the opposite in her freshman year. She played in 72 of 107 sets finishing fourth on the team in kills (103), blocks (56), and points (133.5).
Maddy Bushnell – Missouri State University
Bushnell was an immediate impact player for Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference in 2021. She saw action in 101 of 110 sets for the Bears. The former Willard middle tallied 187 kills and hit at a .343 clip. She also had 73 total blocks on the season and finished with 230 points, good for 5th on the squad.
Jordan Iliff – University of Missouri
Iliff was a bright spot in a tough season in Columbia and the SEC this year. She missed some time with injury but was able to play in 87 of her team’s 110 sets this fall. She ended her first year fourth on the team in kills (173) and added 27 total blocks from the right pin. Her 198 points were also good for fourth on the roster.
Andi Kreiling – Arizona State University
Playing most of her club career in the middle, Kreiling was moved to the outside to start her freshman campaign in the desert for the Pac 12 program. She contributed to 37 of her teams’ 126 sets played in 2021. She played in many of the team’s early matches. The Kearney Bulldog finished the year with 51 kills and 9 blocks.
Addison Lyon – University of Missouri
After starting the season not playing much, Lyon made her presence felt on the court later in the season. She ended up playing in 72 sets and had a good year. She dished out 410 assists, good for second on her team.
Maggie McInerney – University of Chicago
The University of Chicago had a good season and 2021 and McInerney was a major contributor to the Division III program. She found her way into the line-up and played in 88 of the 104 sets for Chicago. She contributed with 127 kills, good for 4th on the team.
40-45
Taylor Beaven – Stanford University
Beaven is tournament bound with her Cardinal teammates this week after a good Pac 12 season on the farm. She has played in all 106 sets as a defensive specialist for the most part. She has 183 digs and 352 receptions, good for second on the team.
Arley Anderson – Central Missouri State
Former Park Hill South setter turned DS, Anderson has found her role in the Mules defensive backcourt as they prepare for Division II tournament action this week. She has seen action in 28 of 31 matches this fall. Defensively she has turned in 181 digs and 187 receptions at a 95% passing percentage.
Morgan Isenberg – University of Missouri
Isenberg saw her first action of the year in the last match of the season for the Tigers. She found the stat sheet with 1 block and 1 dig in two sets played.
Olivia Meier – Harding University
In her first season, Meier saw playing time in 11 sets this fall for the Division II program. She was able to dish out 36 assists in limited action.
Audrey Weber – Lindenwood University
The former St. Dominic player saw the court in 22 of 27 matches in her debut season on the pin for Lindenwood. She was third on the team in kills with 199. She added 91 digs and 21 blocks.
Kayla Smocks – Ottawa University
The Braves made it to the NAIA tournament this season and the St. Teresa’s graduate was a major reason along the back row in 2021. She played in all 27 matches as a defensive specialist and was second on the team in aces (32). She averaged just under 3 digs per set, good for third on the team.
71-75
Liberty Coleman – University of Health Science and Pharmacy
Coleman saw action in 67 of 133 sets for the NAIA Eutectics program this fall. She delivered with 127 kills from the pin. She scored 133 points for the St. Louis team.
Macy Loe – Student University of Kansas
Chloe Thurman – No info located
Addisyn Casey – Mineral Area College
The setter entered 10 matches in her freshman season for just under 100 assists for the NJCAA program. She found her way into the line over the last month.
Lexi Miller – No info located