2025 Rankings-Hidden Gems-Part 2
In this article:
Part 2 of the Hidden Gems looks at five more players that will become big-time players. A couple of the players were their team’s best players, and a couple of the others on the list were on stacked teams and…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPart 2 of the Hidden Gems looks at five more players that will become big-time players. A couple of the players were their team’s best players, and a couple of the others on the list were on stacked teams and not relied on as much. Put those players on any other high school team, and they would be the stars. Watch out for these five on the list to start becoming big-time players with more experience.
12. Jenna Cubbage Jenna Cubbage 5'11" | MB Eureka | 2025 State MO -MB-Eureka
5’11 middle blocker for the Wildcats is a star in the making. Cubbage fit nicely with her smooth footwork in the middle in her first year on a star-studded team. She finished with 91 kills and 3rd in blocks; look for her offensive output next year to increase drastically. She has height, wingspan, volleyball IQ, and is an intelligent hitter who will develop into a big-time player.
15. Caroline Tomlinson Caroline Tomlinson 5'11" | MB Pacific | 2025 State MO -MB-Pacific
Pacific had its best season in a while, and you can contribute that to the 5’11″ middle blocker. Her length, power, and aggressive hitting Tomlinson lead her team in kills with 181 and 2nd in blocks with 64. She has excellent movement to the pins, and her transition off the net is quick. Add in her length and aggression at the net, Tomlinson will be one to watch over the next few years. I see her becoming a dominant middle.
17. Kaitlin Payne Kaitlin Payne 5'8" | OH Pacific | 2025 State MO -OH-Pacific
Pacific volleyball is in good hands for the next three years. Payne and Tomlinson guided this team to its first district title in decades, and the glory days of the 90s are coming back to life at Pacific. The 5’8″ outside hitter has all the makings of a star. Her approach is powerful, and her arm swing is textbook. Finished behind Caroline Tomlinson Caroline Tomlinson 5'11" | MB Pacific | 2025 State MO in kills with 129; she was the dig leader with 178.
24. Lainey Waser Lainey Waser 6'2" | MB Rockwood Summit | 2025 State MO -MB-Rockwood Summit
Add in her vertical and wingspan, Waser will get to a point where she can dominate in the middle. You can’t teach her height 6’2″, but everything she needs to improve will come with age and experience. She has nice transition footwork and makes herself available often. She would contribute 123 kills and 30 blocks.
25. Danielle Moore Danielle Moore 6'2" | RS Francis Howell | 2025 State MO -RS-Francis Howell
Moore reminds me of her coach in her early playing days, and I’m sure the 5’11″ lefty in time will become as talented as her coach. She already has a very powerful swing and eventually will get to the point where she can hit that line shot to perfection. Moore would finish her freshman year with 112 kills and 29 blocks. Watch for her and the young team at Francis Howell to be major players over the next couple of years.