Here are 42 Ocala-area volleyball players you should watch in 2023
Marion County has long produced collegiate volleyball players. Just last year, 11 players from around the county signed to play at colleges around the country.
There's no shortage of talent coming in the 2023 season. Mississippi State commit McKenna Yates of Trinity Catholic headlines a talented group of players in Ocala preparing for another year of playoff runs.
To prepare you for the high flying action, we've complied a list of the top players entering the season. Here are 43 players you should be watching in 2023.
Beach VB stars rock the hardcourt too: Sophia Ochoa and Rylee Palmateer win Beach Volleyball players of the year
2023 grads represent special class: Meet the Ocala Star-Banner 2022 All-County Volleyball team
Knights big three sign NLIs: Vanguard volleyball stars Ehmann, Kerley, Reed sign letters of intent to play at next level
Vanguard
Lillian Hart, JR, Middle Blocker
Hart was the only underclassmen to join her senior varsity teammates on the 2022 all county team.
Sarah Beville, JR, Opposite Hitter
Kaylee Ramirez, SO, Defensive specialist
Ronya Hamed, SR, Middle Blocker
Nadyeshka Yace, SR, Libero
Trinity Catholic
McKenna Yates, SR, Libero
Rose Gravel, SR, Middle Blocker
Hope Willis, JR, Middle Blocker
Willis returns to the hardwood as the 2023 girls track athlete of the year. She tallied 21 kills and 40 blocks in 42 sets last season.
Avery Campise, SR, Outside Hitter
Can Ocala powerhouses make another run?: St. John Lutheran, Trinity Catholic, Vanguard in region finals
Dunnellon
Nia Heppner, JR, Middle Blocker
Heppner led the county with 73 blocks. She had a career high 12 blocks against Eastside.
Emma Gerace, SR, Setter
Samantha Bernstein, JR, Libero
Forest
Kailyn Howard, Sr, Outside Hitter
Allison Hamm, SO, Outside Hitter
Hamm played with Team Florida at USA Volleyball's junior national tournament.
Ava Keuntjes, SR, Setter
Keuntjes committed to Division II program Valdosta State over the summer.
Belleview
Kahleah Lancaster, JR, Middle hitter
Kyndall Seek, SO, Outside hitter
Dakota Krajewski, SR, Setter
Natilee Collins, SR, Libero
Collins committed two Division II program Webber International University for Indoor and Beach Volleyball to further her academic and athletic career.
Lake Weir
Skye Strickland, SR
Khiara Weaver, SR
Meadowbrook
Angel Ross, JR, Outside Hitter
The second team all county selection racked up 286 kills, 142 service points, 213 digs and 246 receptions as a sophomore.
Angely Antonio, JR, Defensive Specialist
West Port
Kendall Smith, SR, Outside Hitter
Ayana Blocker, SR, Libero
Taylor Demankowski, SR, Outside Hitter
Janieliz Rivera, SO, Outside Hitter
Rivera is a new weapon for the Wolf Pack. She missed the eligibility deadline to play last year but practiced with the team in 2022.
Ocala Christian
Briana Ray, SR
Brook Daunhauer, SO
Charlotte Culver, SR
North Marion
Cathryn Rivera, SR, Libero
Rivera represented the Colts on the all county team as an honorable mention.
Jadain Montoya, JR, Outside Hitter
Keanti Henderson, SR, Middle Hitter
Redeemer Christian
Madelyn Powers, SO, Middle Hitter
Ashley Moss, SR, Outside Hitter
Aliyah Lalmansingh, SR, Setter
St. John Lutheran
Isabel Freeman, SR, Right Side
Rylee Palmateer, JR, Outside Hitter
Sophie Ochoa, JR, Outside Hitter
Ochoa and Palmateer played varsity as eight graders. Both are in the running to break school records in kills before they graduate in 2025.
Ashley Downs, JR, Setter
Giselle Baluyot, SR, Middle Blocker
Arisa Ford, SR, Middle Hitter
Saints stack schedule, prepare for run: St. John Lutheran's reach regional final
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 42 Ocala-area volleyball players to watch in 2023
