Alex Ayers, 6-1 OH, Marymount (Los Angeles, California) – The hitting star of Gene’s Team as an eighth grader, Ayers was as good as advertised as a high school freshman. She gave the Sailors a consistent and powerful terminating option on the left side, employing a fast arm swing and the ability to see the block to tally almost 500 kills on the year for the CIF Southern Section champs.

Michelle Bartsch, 6-3 MB, Collinsville (Illinois) – An all conference player and honorable mention all state, Bartsch led her team in kills and the area in blocks. A tremendous athlete and student, Bartsch helped her team advance to the super sectionals before losing to Belleville West.

Baylee Belflower, 5-8 OH, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) – Gym rat helped the team to a third place finish at state by excelling in all phases. She used her strong leaping ability to knock down 201 kills, second on the team; and her quickness and keen awareness for the game to be a force along the back row.

Suzy Boulavsky, 6-0 RS, Clear Brook (Friendswood, Texas) – A powerful terminator, Boulavsky would have been the kill leader on most teams in Texas. But Clear Brook had another fantastic finisher, 6-2 junior Jessie Boulavsky, Suzy’s sister.

Keelin Bourne, 6-3 MB, Millard North (Omaha, Nebraska) – Bourne played middle and set for her high school team out of necessity and was honorable mention all state in Class A, but this talented lefty’s natural home is on the right side, where she can use her size to intimidate attackers, terminate with her physical attacking skills and show off her nice hands as a second setter.

Kelsey Brandl, 6-4 MB, Lakeville (Minnesota) – Lakeville graduated both middles off of last year’s state finals team and relied heavily upon Brandl to fill the void in their return trip this year. Brandl showed off a strong block, averaging about five a match, while emerging as a key cog in the team’s quick tempo offense, finishing the year with approximately 200 kills.

Ali Burt, 6-2 MB, Marian (Omaha, Nebraska) – Great on the quick attack, Burt was a superb second option in the middle for Marian this year. She finished the season with more than 200 kills, including 13 in a state semifinal loss to Columbus, and was one of only two freshmen recognized as honorable mention all state in Class A.

Katie Camp, 6-4 MB, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, North Carolina) – One of two fantastic frosh for Cardinal Gibbons this year, Camp was an all conference and all state 3A pick after compiling 299 kills and 145 blocks on the year. A very competitive athlete who is eager to learn, Camp could turn into a monster in the future with her very long arms, lean, athletic build and propensity to add 1-2 inches more in height.

Kellie Catanach, 6-0 S, Plant (Tampa, Florida) – Second team all area pick played like she’s been around the game all her life, which she has, as the daughter of the University of Tampa’s head coach. Catanach, blessed with great hands and natural leadership skills, stepped in to set the Panthers from Day 1 and took the supposedly rebuilding team well beyond pre-season expectations.

Melissa Cochran, 5-2 Fr., McGehee (New Orleans, Louisiana) – Despite being a freshman, Cochran has twice been a major contributor to her team's run to its state title. She is fearless on the court and has an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. Observers often call her a “vacuum cleaner.” She just gets to everything.

Caitlin Cox, 5-2 Fr., Chrysler (New Castle, Indiana) – Nicknamed “Ice,” Cox was money in serve receive and could cool down any attack in a hurry with 264 digs, many of the Wow! variety. Cox, an Honorable Mention All-State pick, also provided a spark with her serve, twice setting the school record for aces in a match with nine. Her ability to control the match from the backcourt in a state that doesn't employ a libero was incredible. One coach commented that she was among the top six players in the state regardless of class.

Cristin Curl, 5-7 S, Tascosa (Amarillo, Texas) – A starter since the first match, Curl was an All-District performer after hoisting 914 assists and digging up 280 balls. Her biggest attributes are her fierce, competitive nature, great jumping ability, tremendous work ethic and natural leadership qualities.

Brianne Flach, 5-7 OH, Indian Creek (Shabbona, Illinois) – Flach led the team in aces, digs, kills and passing. She was her team's MVP, made the Little Ten All-Conference Team (unanimous pick) and The Beacon News All Area Volleyball Team Honorable Mention. Flach does a great job on defense and she knows where to hit to score.

Amanda Francis, 5-9 OH, Fairlawn (Sidney, Ohio) – Honorable mention all state in Div. IV, the only freshman recognized in any class, Francis, who also excels on the hardwood, was a standout everywhere on the floor for Fairlawn: at the net, delivering bombs or blocks; and on defense; chasing down everything in sight.

Ashley Frazier, 6-2 MB, Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) – The second middle opposite Ellen Herman, Frazier’s offense is a little behind her defense at this stage, but her defense is first rate. A superb athlete, Frazier made a huge impact at the net, getting her hands on almost everything and altering those shots she could not get.

Janelle Gabrielson, 6-0 S/MB, Menomonee Falls (Wisconsin) – The youngest of four girls, Gabrielson is most like her father, a college football coach, and brings a gridiron toughness to the court. A very hard worker, intense and mature on the court, Gabrielson displayed her athleticism and versatility setting back row and hit out of the middle front row. A great blocker and very aggressive hitter, Gabrielson was an honorable mention all state pick.

Hope Leatigaga, 5-8 S/OH, Denbigh Baptist Christian (Newport News, Virginia) – All state in the Virginia Independent League and a natural leader despite her tender years, Leatigaga led her 27-2 team in kills and aces and was second in digs and assists. She was easily the best frosh in the state among independent/private schools.

Amanda Gil, 6-5 MB, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California) -- After splitting time as a middle early in the year, Gil gained a full-time position after the Santa Barbara tournament and was a huge reason the Monarchs were able to beat Mater Dei in the Div. II state title match. This season she played in 85 games with 154 kills for a .400 hitting percentage. She also had 21 solo and 100 assisted blocks and her 6-5 frame intimidated opponents into changing their system of attack. Gil was recently named Central Coast Section Freshman of the Year.

Christine Hartmann, 5-10 OH, Rosary (Aurora, Illinois) – Terrific leaper was second on nationally ranked team in kills and was an all-area pick in three local papers. The sister of setter Rachel Hartmann (signed with Minnesota), Christine Hartmann is a club level setter, which is the high school position she may ultimately find herself playing.

Jordan Haverly, 6-1 OH, Keith Country Day (Rockford, Illinois) – This small school star has big time talent. MVP of the SWISS Conference, the first time ever for a freshman, Haverly had 282 kills, 43 ace serves, 35 blocks and 147 digs for a 15-6 team that had five freshmen among its 10 players. She was the one player teams had to game plan against when playing Keith, a testament to her ability.

Leslie Haywood, 5-8 S, Mercy Academy (Louisville, Kentucky) – Ran a 5-1 for the Jaguars and excelled in the quick offense for the state runners up. She has good hands, a strong knowledge of the game and averaged 13 assists and 1.4 blocks per game on the season.

Caitlin Higgins, 5-11 OH, Tascosa (Amarillo, Texas) – A powerful terminator, Higgins needed only a short time to entrench herself in the starting lineup. She finished second on the team in kills with 265 and added 192 digs, 30 blocks and 17 aces for the season. Higgins was named the newcomer of the year for district 2-5A.

Susie Isphording, 5-9 OH, Huron (Ohio) – Over the next few years, Huron may be known as Sara Sage’s team, but the 6-4 frosh was injured most of the high school season and is not eligible for this list. Isphording, however, played the entire year and did an exceptional job in the front row, in the back row and behind the service line. The former standout swimmer earned first team all SBC honors in the process for the Tigers, who were district champs.

Ellen Jantsch, 5-9 OH, St. Teresa’s (Kansas City, Missouri) – Became top scoring option when senior Eli Medina went down with a torn ACL and did a superb job all around, averaging three kills and four digs a game for one of Kansas City’s best teams.

Kara Johnson, 5-9 S, Columbus East (Columbus, Indiana) – Took over for graduated setter Caitlin Watts and played like a veteran from the start, earning first team honors in the Hoosier Hills Conference.

Katie Kabbes, 6-3 OH, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, North Carolina) – A long, fluid athlete who consistently takes a quality swing, finished the year with 326 kills, and would have had even more had she not lost her star setter mid-year to a torn ACL. Kabbes, who was all-conference and all-state, had 20 kills in state final, where her team lost to Charlotte Latin.

Michelle Kocher, 5-8 S, St. Francis (Wheaton, Illinois) – Only the third time in 30 years that a setter has started as a freshman at St. Francis, Kocher allowed All-American Kiley Fister to swing as well as set. Kocher, who totaled more than 300 assists on the year, has been called the best defensive setter in school history by legendary coach Peg Kopec.

Erin Little, 6-0 MB, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills, New York) – A member of the USA Volleyball A2 camp last summer, Little made a successful transition to high school, where her biggest contributions were net defense. Possessed with great blocking instincts, Little had six blocks in Games 4 and 5 to help Burnt Hills come from down two sets to one to win a state title in New York’s Class A.

Jennifer Lopez, 5-9 MB, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (Glyndon, Minnesota) – Lopez made be a high school freshman, but she plays well beyond her years. Some of that has to do with the fact that she’s been on the varsity at D-G-F for three years, but mostly, it’s because she’s been raised in the gym by her volleyball coach mom and has had to keep up with her star sister, Kelli. “She learned skills properly at an early age,” said mom, Jean Lopez, who has coached at D-G-F for 21 years. “She understands the game well, how to read defenses, blocking and timing and has confidence.” A club setter, Lopez emerged as a terminator for D-G-F with 342 kills as her team finished second in the state in Class AA. Named to the AA all-tourney team, Lopez also was all conference in the Heart of Lakes Conference.

Markie Malone, 5-10 S, Durango (Las Vegas, Nevada) -- The top freshman in Southern Nevada has been called further along than as a frosh than former Durango great Amy Schlauder.

Ashley Marshall, 5-8 OH, Hillcrest (Simpsonville, South Carolina) – Steady starter on a young, talented team gave the team solid ball control on the left and contributed with her all-around play. A starter as an eighth grader as well, Marshall has good court awareness and all the shots. She had more than 460 kills on the year, good enough to be named to the all region team.

Sarah McAtee, 6-0 MB, Nevada Union (Grass Valley, California) – Smooth athlete emerged as second option to all-world OH Ali Daley and helped Miners reach the state Div. I finals for a second consecutive year. McAtee will be the primary option next year and should blossom into a big time star.

Claire McElheny, 6-3 MB, Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis, Indiana) – Mature talent had 246 kills while hitting .509 for a talented young team. McElheny also had 79 blocks and was being heralded by some as the best frosh in the Indianapolis area.

Sami Miller, 5-10 MB, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, California) – Strong athlete was a blocking machine for the Eagles, who needed her size and net game to reach the state Div. V finals.

Kelly Murphy, 5-11 S/RS, Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, Illinois) – Lefty exhibited tremendous composure all season long and became team’s go-to attacker late in the season. Second on the team in service points, kills and blocks for kills, Murphy will be a key cog as JCA surges back to the upper echelon of Chicago volleyball in 2005.

Tarah Murrey, 6-2 OH, St. Mary’s (Berkeley, California) – A superb athlete, Murrey finally got to put her skills to use in a varsity uniform after wowing us by playing up in club the last several years. Physically mature, Murrey led her team to a 30-11 mark while setting team standards in kills and digs and was in the top three in blocks and serving. A first team all league pick, the future is very bright for this Bay Area Bomber.

Alyssa Naylor, 6-0 RS, Scripps Ranch (San Diego, California) – Got the chance to start because of injuries to a veteran team and shined, especially on the right, where she showed off superb block timing. Naylor, a second team all-CIF San Diego Section selection, is a very mature player who along with Amy Webster will provide a solid foundation for the Falcons’ future.

Tiffany Nilges, 5-9 MB, Tripoli (Iowa) – First team all conference and all state (1A) for a state championship team, Nilges is a solid and consistent performer who sees the floor very well. She was the team’s second leading hitter with 258 kills and also was second on the team in digs with 323. “She has a wealth of potential was definitely a reason why we were state champs,” said coach Teresa Kehe.

Mary Beth O'Brien, 6-0 OH, Xavier (Appleton, Wisconsin) – The go-to player on a team that reached the sectional finals, O’Brien had 329 kills to lead the team and was among team leaders in blocks, digs and aces. She was 1st team all conference, 2nd team all area, and honorable mention all state.

Alli O'Connor, 5-11 OH, Mercy Academy (Louisville, Kentucky) – Still growing, O’Connor started on the left for the Jags and was second on the team in kills, averaging 8.2 per match. Also a threat to send a ball back at opposing attackers, O’Connor has a very fast arm swing and should continue her rapid development.

Bridget O'Hara, 5-11 OH, Presentation (San Jose, California) – A starter from the beginning of the season, O’Hara hits harder than most 18-year-olds, but also possesses a strong all-around game. The honorable mention all-league pick in the brutal WCAL was third on the team in kills with 204 and second in aces with 31, but also led the defensive-minded Panthers in digs with 340, averaging 3.58 per game.

Dana Powell, 5-10 OH/MB, Cascia Hall (Tulsa, Oklahoma) – Also a standout soccer player, Powell is a high flying powerhouse who stepped into the starting lineup at Cascia Hall and helped the Bulldogs to yet another state title in Class 4A.

Chelsea Ringel, 6-0 OH, Martin (Arlington, Texas) – Only the second freshman ever to start for Joni McCoy in her 23 years as a coach, Ringel, the younger sister of UCLA standout Brittany Ringel, demonstrated a strong all-around game. She powered her way to 130 kills and 41 aces for a team that had four other serious offensive threats, but was even more impressive on defense, where she used her tremendous athletic ability to record almost 200 digs. Named LoneStarVolleyball.com’s 2004 Newcomer of the Year.

Megan Roark, 5-5 S, Mountain View (Loveland, Colorado) – Our pick for National Freshman of the Year, Roark did more than you could hope for from a freshman setter replacing a graduated star for a state title team. In a state loaded with terrific setters, she had more assists than anyone, 1108, as Mountain View repeated its state title in Class 4A. Here’s what coach Lindsey Stinson had to say: “She is small in stature, but her determination and desire make up for those extra inches. She has been our setter from day one, and she ran the offense all on her own. She is a great decision maker and she has tremendous court sense. When we needed a big play she was the one to get it done. As a lefty, she has a great swing, and she did not have a hitting error all year. She was never intimidated and she was a leader all year long. She continued to improve every day. She is the type of kid that would do whatever I asked of her.”

Stevi Robinson, 5-8 OH, Stockdale (Bakersfield, California) – Stockdale had 10 seniors on the roster, but Robinson still found room to be a starter. Very athletic with quick leaping ability, Robinson had almost 200 kills on the season, to go along with 80 aces from an outstanding jump serve, but her biggest impact was ball control, where she passed a dug like someone much, much older.

Serinna Russo, 5-10 OH, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, California) – Took a second-year program all the way to the second round of the CIF playoffs. A high energy player with good ball control, you notice Russo because of how explosive she is and the heat she puts on the ball. First team all league and first team all area, Russo has few peers at the net.

Evan Sanders, 6-0 OH, Centaurus (Lafayette, Colorado) -- Second team all state pick in 4A led her high school team in every hitting category and averaged 16 kills per match.

Natalie Sandman, 6-1 MB, Menlo School (Atherton, California) – Will probably add 2-3 more inches before she’s through growing, but she’s very, very good even if she doesn’t grow a millimeter more. She averaged 10 kills and five blocks a match this year.

Lauren Sears, 6-1 MB, Paul VI (Fairfax, Virginia) – A key reason Paul VI won the VIS Div. I state title, Sears was an all conference, all state and all state tournament pick after averaging three kills and one block during the regular season and four kills and one block during the postseason. Some are hailing Sears as the best freshman in the DC area in the past five years because of her aggression, solid footwork and desire to take a big swing each and every time.

Sammie Selsky, 5-10 S, Marymount (Los Angeles, California) – Physical lefty had a stellar freshman campaign, setting a 5-1 like a veteran, adding timely dumps, a huge right side block and giving Marymount a dose of leadership from the position. “She’s the glue,” said Marymount coach Cari Klein. “She plays like a 25-year-old out there.”

Megan Shifflet, 5-6 OH, Langley (Virginia) – The only freshman in her region voted to the All-District team, Shifflett was a key component in the team’s 21-1 season, finishing second in digs and third in kills and aces. Shifflet is very quick and agile in the back row, shows strong composure under pressure and can leap with the best of them.

Betsy Smith, 6-2 RS, Wesleyan (Atlanta, Georgia) – According to coach Ted Russell, Wesleyan would not have won the state AA/A title without Smith, whose imposing right side block neutralized most of the state’s top outside hitters. The state’s top frosh also contributed 209 kills on a team where five players had more than 200 kills. The bad news (for opponents) is that she’s still growing, which means three more years of headaches facing this blocking beast across the net.

Megan Smyser, 5-11 OH, Abraham Lincoln (Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The team struggled but Smyser didn’t, leading the way with 278 kills, 370 digs, 56 aces and was the team’s primary passer in serve receive. Despite the team’s poor record, Smyser attracted enough attention to be named to the Missouri River Conference All Conference team and a spot on the Daily Nonpareil All City team.

Kasey Sorensen, 5-10 S, James Madison Memorial (Madison, Wisconsin) – The standout freshman in the Big 8 Conference, Sorensen emerged as a team leader after her sister Kelly was sidelined by injury. A good blocker on the right side and fine defender, Sorensen is a seasoned setter who can set all three options along the net as well as get the ball to the hot back row attacker and is a good scoring option herself, whether it’s on the dump or using her strong serve.

Stephanie Starnes, 6-0 MB, San Angelo Central (San Angelo, Texas) – The Standard Times All West Texas Newcomer of the Year and District 3-5A Newcomer of the Year, Starnes was the principal reason her team improved from 9-26 in 2003 to 26-14 this season. She gave Central a dominant force in the middle that allowed its outside hitters to hit at will. She finished the year with almost 300 kills and led the team in blocks with 135.

Ali Verway, 6-1 OH, Immanuel (Reedley, California) – Her high school team had a tremendous year and Verway played a big part in that. She has a big arm swing and the ability to terminate at will. It’s no wonder she was an all-league pick this year.

Colleen Ward, 6-2 OH, Naperville North (Naperville, Illinois) – Ward had a remarkable freshman campaign. On a Husky team thought to be rebuilding, she had 305 kills and helped Naperville North to a 34-6 overall record and a high national ranking. Ward, who will be highly recruited, was an All Conference pick and also made several local newspaper all-area teams. She was a second team choice by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Amy Webster, 6-1 MB, Scripps Ranch (San Diego, California) – Second team all-CIF San Diego Section pick was one of many terminating options on a senior laden team. Very athletic with a great vertical and quick snap that generates tremendous power, Webster should shine on the outside next year.

Elizabeth Wildermuth, 5-9 S, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, California) – Called upon to set a veteran team, Wildermuth was exceptional, using her quickness and hustle to better every ball. She brought a strong work ethic and positive attitude to the floor for practice and play and was recognized as a second team All CIF Southern Section performer.

Special Mention:

Jessica Dhoore, 5-0 DS, LaPorte (Indiana) – Provided a huge back row spark for a young team, accumulating 219 digs and passing effectively in serve receive.

Katherine Gorman, 5-6 DS, Menlo School (Atherton, California) -- Digs and passes like a senior and has the tough gal mentality you love to see from your back row leader.

Lauren Hall 5-0 DS, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Kentucky) – High energy player gave Sacred Heart a reliable, sometimes spectacular, player along the back row.

Kyle Lamet, 6-0 MB, Carondelet (Concord, California) – On a team with attacking stars Caitlin Lawson and Sydney Blancarte, Lamet still managed to stand out, using power and finesse to total more than 100 kills with a 46 percent kill ratio, tops on the team. Lamet, who is quick and very agile for her size, also was second to Blancarte on the team in blocks.

Jessica Lea, 5-7 S/RS, Crook County (Prineville, Oregon) – Solid freshman campaign included hitting for a high percentage, putting up a nice block, serving tough and consistently all season long and setting two rotations for one of the state’s best teams.

Emily Lechleiter, 5-8 OH, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Kentucky) – Strong ball control player had more than 100 kills in her initial varsity season, but will play a much larger role next year with the graduation of the Valkyries’ senior stars.

Elizabeth Machurick, 5-8 OH, Xavier (Appleton, Wisconsin) – A consistent all-around player, Machurick finished in the top three on her team in kills, digs and aces.

Katie Moore, 5-7 OH, Nathan Hale (West Allis, Wisconsin) – The standout freshman on a team that had a bunch of freshmen on varsity, Moore had a fine all around season for West Allis Hale.

Keala Peterson, 6-0 MB, Analy (Sebastopol, California) – Played all the way around for a 27-5 team, earning all league honors for her efforts.

Noelle Peterson, 5-10 RS, East (Brookfield, Wisconsin) – Good ball control player and smart hitter was asked to be the go-to player on her team and responded well, leading them in most offensive categories.

Helen Theisen, 5-7 OH, Osbourn Park (Manassas, Virginia) – Heady attacker was the only freshman in Northern Virginia to start on varsity and she was a supreme contributor, pounding 372 kills, for a team that finished in the state’s top eight in the largest class.

Samantha Trawitzke, 5-9 S, Burlington (Wisconsin) – One of three freshman starters on a strong team, Trawitzke was asked to do the most and responded admirably, demonstrating a maturity beyond her years.

Maddie Vain, 5-11 RS, Villa Duchesne (St. Louis, Missouri) – An all conference selection, Vain, who is left handed, energized the team at the net, finishing second on the team in kills and first in hitting percentage. She also led the team aces and was second in total blocks.