Behind the Scenes of the 2024 Rankings Update
This class of 2024 update was a BIG one. Many of the class of 2024 athletes have started their recruiting journeys (some have already committed!). They are also going into their junior year of high school and have the potential…
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Continue ReadingThis class of 2024 update was a BIG one. Many of the class of 2024 athletes have started their recruiting journeys (some have already committed!). They are also going into their junior year of high school and have the potential to have a major impact on their high school seasons. Here is some behind-the-scenes information about what went into building the updated class of 2024 rankings!
What’s the story of this class?
This class just keeps getting better. I add more athletes to my list every time I see them play. We amassed hundreds of notes and comments throughout this rankings update between Breit, Chris, and me. Not only is the level of talent incredibly high, but the improvements and gains over these last few months have also been massive.
For the class of 2024, they could officially be contacted by college coaches for the first time on June 15th. Official visits can start in August. Some have already committed, including Anna Bjork Anna Bjork 6'3" | MB Oconomowoc | 2024 State #54 Nation WI (Notre Dame), Claire Luoma Claire Luoma 5'8" | DS/L Franklin | 2024 State #85 Nation WI (Clemson), Ella Demetrician Ella Demetrician 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2024 State #40 Nation WI (Michigan), Reese Ptacek Reese Ptacek 6'3" | MB Prescott | 2024 State #59 Nation WI (Kansas), Andi Spies Andi Spies 5'10" | S Fort Atkinson | 2024 State #135 Nation WI (Middle Tennessee), and Lanie Hawley (Trinity), with many more to come! Some athletes are potentially just starting their recruiting journey or making the decision whether to play volleyball collegiately or not.
Either way, there will be a lot of exciting news coming from the class of 2024 in the coming years!
How do we evaluate and rank athletes?
We look at a plethora of things when we are looking to evaluate and rank athletes. There is a lot to consider, including where they are playing for high school and club. What tournaments are they playing in? And what divisions? How well are they performing at the highest levels? We try to look at all aspects of their game in various settings.
Do we consider stats?
Sometimes stats may be a piece of the puzzle. And same for any awards or honors such as All-State or All-Conference, but there is so much more to an athlete than just the numbers they produce. That is why we like to get the live view and see them on the court and in action. There is nothing more valuable than actually seeing an athlete play. And, for many athletes, we see them play numerous times over several years.
Do positions play a role in the ranking?
Again, it is a piece of the puzzle. Some positions naturally get more playing time than others, such as a libero, 6-rotation outside, or a setter running a 5-1 offense. Middles, right sides, and defensive specialists only tend to be on the court for three rotations. Setters are relied on as leaders on the court, but on a lot of teams, outside hitters manufacture the most points for a team. Middle blockers are essential on defense while also earning points, but liberos provide consistency and keep the ball alive. You can look at positions or try to determine which position should be valued higher, but it ultimately comes down to the athlete.
In our active rankings, we have a setter, libero, and outside hitter ranked at #1. And players of every position are ranked in the top 10.
Did my athlete’s rankings drop?
Since the last rankings, there has been a lot of movement and the addition of many athletes. If other athletes have raised in rank, it is only natural that the rank of other athletes may drop. We don’t typically drop an athlete’s rank. Most athletes improve and impress across numerous tournaments and matches. Additionally, we don’t just look at one match or tournament either but try to watch athletes several times.
How are rankings used?
The number of colleges who subscribe to our sites increases constantly. We currently have over 200 college coaches subscribed to our site. These coaches use our information as a resource for where athletes are playing and if they have already committed to a college. We have deep rankings in 20 states, allowing coaches from smaller or D3 schools to find athletes who are a great fit.
Even though there we also have national rankings, it is important for us that every athlete find the perfect fit. Coaches follow our social media, articles, and our rankings to help them create a list of potential athletes.