HS volleyball: Players to watch for 2023 season
The area high school volleyball season is set to swing into action soon.
The list of prolific players in the prep ranks is headlined this fall by the "Twin Towers" of Claire Payne and Sophia Barber from the Red Slam of NorthWood.
Juniors Payne and Barber helped lead NorthWood to a Class 3A semistate berth a season ago.
Girls golf: Penn makes an early season statement at the NorthWood Invitational
Following is a quick look at 10 players to keep an eye on this fall on the court.
Claire Payne, NorthWood junior
The middle hitter pounded down a team-high 342 kills her sophomore season. Payne, also a basketball standout, added a team best 98 blocks in 2022.
Sophia Barber, NorthWood junior
The outsider hitter put up big numbers all over the stat sheet as a sophomore. Barber totaled 336 kills to go with 316 digs and 63 aces for her team.
Alena Naddaf, New Prairie senior
Naddaf was a defensive gem as the Cougars won another Class 3A sectional title in 2022. She had 389 digs to go with 42 aces.
Marley Annis, Saint Joseph senior
The senior outside hitter/defensive specialist was a force at the net with 201 kills a season ago. Annis has committed verbally to play collegiately at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania
Ella Watford, Mishawaka senior
The talented libero was an All-NLC selection in 2022. She helped lead her team to a third place finish in the conference.
Karis Bennett, NorthWood senior
Bennett pounded down 250 kills as an outside hitter in 2022. She also had 41 aces.
Emery Porter, NorthWood senior
Porter returns for her third season as the setter for the Red Slam. She had 1,060 assists and 335 digs a season ago.
Chloe Deckard, New Prairie junior
Deckard produced 157 kills her sophomore season.
Ava Decker, Elkhart senior
Decker had 131 kills to help the Lions win the NIC title a year ago. The middle hitter also had 48 blocks.
Shannon Rudge, Penn junior
Rudge led her team with 191 kills as a sophomore. The outside hitter also totaled 181 digs in 2022.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Ten of the top area high school volleyball players
