Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

Ranking the Area’s Top 30 Volleyball Players: 30-21

July 20, 2024
, 3:41 pm
, Features

We take a look at the area's top 30 volleyball players, beginning with numbers 30-21.

Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

If you remember last season — and how could you forget — the area’s volleyball scene provided plenty of drama and an abundance of success as usual.

Between the SVC, SOC, FAC, SHAC, OVC and MSL-Buckeye, the six conferences within SOSA’s coverage reach, three different programs earned district titles.

But en route to those postseason finishes, there were plenty of individual performances to rave about, multiple records broken and tons of matches that won’t soon be forgotten.

As for this season, we expect much more of the same. But before it happens, for the fifth straight year, we’ve decided to compile a list of the coverage area’s top 30 players. It was an absolute bear to do so, but we think we’ve got a list of 30 athletes who are the absolute best at their craft.

Remember, this list only includes players from within SOSA’s coverage area and it isn’t an end all, be all. We encourage discussion, and giving our athletes the recognition they deserve is always our mission.

30. Sidney Johnson, Junior, Waverly

2023 statistics: 250 kills, 29 aces, 0 blocks, 348 digs, 66 assists

While the Tigers grew up, as a group, last season, Johnson was a diamond in the rough. The sophomore led the team’s defense with 348 digs and added 250 kills to her totals. Waverly’s entire roster will be a year older and that much better this fall — a scary thought for Johnson.

29. Rylee Toadvine, Senior, Athens

2023 statistics: 215 kills, 35 aces, 15 blocks, 332 digs, 11 assists

Athens returns the majority of its production from a year ago. Toadvine is inarguably one of the standouts of that group. She led the defense with 332 digs, making just 11 errors and averaging 14.4 per match. That shouldn’t change in 2024 as she takes on a larger leadership role.

Huntington’s Leah McCloskey helped the Huntsmen win 14 matches and reach a district final last season.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

28. Leah McCloskey, Senior, Huntington

2023 statistics: 28 kills, 39 aces, 6 blocks, 222 digs, 474 assists

Underrated. Severely. That’s the book on McCloskey, who helped Huntington have yet another successful season— one that ended with 14 victories and a district final appearance. The Huntsmen should be dangerous again. McCloskey will undoubtedly be leading the charge.

27. Lindsee Williams, Senior, Minford

2023 statistics: 333 kills, 0 aces, 55 blocks, 37 digs, 16 assists

There may not be a middle hitter in the area that’s feared more than Williams. At 6-foot-4, she has no problem finding holes in the defense. She proved that time and time again last fall, totaling a team-high 333 kills. As 2024 begins, she’ll boast of 747 career kills … and counting.

26. Maci Bradford, Senior, West

2023 statistics: 28 kills, 36 aces, 34 blocks, 306 digs, 638 assists

Quite literally a jack of all trades, Bradford was essential to the Senators’ 16-win season in 2023. She was as efficient as any setter in the area — in 2,312 ball-handling attempts, she made just nine errors. She’ll be an unquestioned leader on this year’s team, and rightfully so.

25. Lyndsey Schaefer Sophomore, Notre Dame

2023 statistics: 19 kills, 38 aces, 7 blocks, 128 digs, 704 assists

Notre Dame doesn’t rebuild. It reloads. The proof is in the pudding, and Schaefer proves that point. She dazzled spectators as a freshman before finishing the season with 704 assists — alongside 38 aces and 128 digs — for a team that again went undefeated in league play.

24. Aubrey Clark, Senior, Westfall

2023 statistics: 272 kills, 40 aces, 42 blocks, 75 digs, 9 assists

For two years, Clark flew under most radars. But in 2023, the junior took her game to the next level, totaling a team-high 272 kills. Her 40 aces and 42 blocks also helped the Mustangs piece together a 15-9 finish. All signs now point to an even bigger senior year for Clark. Bet on it.

23. Evelyn Hamman, Sophomore, Chillicothe

2023 statistics: 250 kills, 59 aces, 53 blocks, 92 digs, 3 assists

As a freshman, Hamman looked like an experienced veteran all season. She spearheaded a resurgence of Chillicothe’s program, helping the Cavaliers finish 8-2 in conference play. With a promising future ahead of her, expect to read her name often. She’s the real deal.

Chillicothe’s Evelyn Hamman posted 48 kills, 34 aces, 38 blocks, 231 digs and 752 assists as a freshman last fall.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

22. Hannah Rhoads, Junior, Logan Elm

2023 statistics: 48 kills, 34 aces, 38 blocks, 231 digs, 752 assists

In the midst of one of the area’s toughest schedules, Rhoads was as good as it gets in 2023. The sophomore showed poise in the biggest moments, helping the Braves win 16 matches. She enters her junior season with 1,102 assists and 404 digs. Those numbers will continue to rise.

21. Grace Woodward, Junior, Wheelersburg

2023 statistics: 272 kills, 50 aces, 8 blocks, 217 digs, 33 assists

Two years ago, Woodward showed glimpses of how good she could be. Last year, she put her talent on full display. While blossoming into one of Wheelersburg’s top options, she helped her teammates finish 21-3 and reach a district final. Fans shouldn’t expect anything less this fall.