Moving On Up in 2023 Rankings
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In each ranking update, we always see a handful of players make big jumps from their previous ranking. That didn’t change with this round as we saw some movement up and down the class. Here are some of the players…
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Continue ReadingIn each ranking update, we always see a handful of players make big jumps from their previous ranking. That didn’t change with this round as we saw some movement up and down the class. Here are some of the players moving up in big form.
14. Aisha Aiono Aisha Aiono 6'3" | MB Liberty | 2023 State MO – MB – Mavs KC/Liberty
Aiona made the move from Mavs 816 to Mavs KC in 2022. She also made the move from Park Hill to Liberty in 2022. The first move proved to be pivotal in her growth as she had the opportunity to play with one of the top teams in the country. Her move to Liberty playing with the likes of Ashley Mullen Ashley Mullen 5'10" | S Liberty | 2023 State #9 Nation MO and Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO may also be huge in her final high school season. At 6’3″, Aiona is a true middle who has improved her footwork and court vision. She had a big spring that should lead into an all-state fall.
18. Grace O’Reilly Grace O’Reilly 6'0" | RS Springfield Catholic | 2023 State MO – RS – 417/Springfield Catholic
417 Juniors had a strong spring and O’Reilly was a major reason for her elevated play. She moved up a handful of slots behind her scoring and blocking on the right side. You can see her confidence grow over the course of the year and look for her to have a big fall as she tries to lead Springfield Catholic to the promise.
20. Tess McConnell Tess McConnell 6'0" | MB Oakville | 2023 State MO – MB – Rockwood Thunder /Oakville
McConnell is a player who has made big jumps in her play the last couple of seasons. She’s an improved blocker and her lateral movement is an area that has caught our attention. Offensively, she has displayed the ability to score from many different spots along the net. She was a valuable asset to Rockwood this spring and look for her to be among the top middles in the state this fall.
32. Kira Cherry Kira Cherry 5'11" | OH Oak Park | 2023 State MO – OH – Pohaku/Oak Park
Pohaku benefited from adding Cherry to their roster in 2022. She is an athletic outside who improved in her passing and shot selection this spring. No longer does she try to power through on every swing but utilizes the roll and tip to find the floor. Like McConnell, her blocking jumps out as something she got better at over the course of the last year.
41. Sanoma Hunter Sanoma Hunter 6'0" | MB Van Horn | 2023 State MO – MB – Club North/Van Horn
One of the biggest jumps in these rankings came in the form of Hunter. The 6’1″ middle saw her recruitment pick up this last year due to her play for Club North. We said a couple of years ago she was raw and new to the competitive side of volleyball. Her growth over the last two seasons due to playing a competitive club schedule has helped her skill level increase.