See who made the Top 35 Pueblo-area volleyball players list
The 2023-24 fall sports season is finally upon us and what better way to kick off the new season than to highlight and showcase the top players to watch in each sport?
Each year the Chieftain gets together with local coaches to comprise a list of the top players to watch for the upcoming season.
Here is a list of the top 35 players to watch for this upcoming volleyball season, plus a few extras.
(Note: all information provided on this list was given by the head coaches of each program.)
More: A look at the 2023 volleyball schedules for Pueblo-area high schools
Class 2A
Dolores Huerta Prep
Tayzha Gutierrez, senior
Zairiah Cruz, senior
Alicia Figueroa, senior
Charli Firman, senior
Sylviana Trujillo, senior
Viola Ortiz, freshman
The following is a quote from head coach Katie Scandozza of the Scorpions.
“Tayzha has a killer jump serve and a mean hit. We have every expectation that she will be at the top of our statistics in her senior year. She is a great all-around player but can really shine as a setter as well. Zairiah is a huge motivational leader on our team with a positive attitude and a great volleyball IQ. She gives our team just the sprinkle of spice every team needs as an all-around player. Her younger teammates often look to her for guidance, and she is always more than willing to step up to help them when they are struggling to nail a skill. Alicia is a great all-around player. She has an amazing serve that will keep opposing teams on their toes. Alicia is a team player and will do what she needs to help her team be successful. Charli is returning to Scorpion Volleyball for her senior year as an all-around player. She has already proved to be an amazing leader off the court, and she is transferring those skills onto the court as well. With a great serve and passing game, she will help lead DH to victory this season. We are excited to see Sylvi return to Scorpion Volleyball for her senior year. She brings positive vibes to our teams as an all-around player and is always ready for what comes at her and is always uplifting others with her goofy smile and high energy. She always tries to find new ways to improve and help others on and off the court. Viola is a first-year Scorpion Volleyball player. We're looking forward to seeing how she plays on the court and how she will undoubtedly help improve our team. She has already shown her commitment to our team by being at practice every day and stepping up as a leader on our court.”
Swallows Charter Academy
Faith Derudder, senior
Brooklyn Kleven, junior
Reaghan Renteria, junior
Emma Storm, sophomore
Kira Ohrdorf, junior
The following is a quote from head coach Jamii Vinson.
“I have a lot of freshmen on my varsity team this year, but it's looking very promising. They came in strong and ready to work. Brooklyn and Faith are our varsity captains and our word this year is 'unity.' We have a JV, Varsity, and C team and our goal is to unify all three of those groups so that we can bring our school together as a whole and just grow our program. If not for my assistant Tausha Naumann, I would not be able to accomplish this task. She has been such a great asset to us this year. The five names I have given you are the ones I believe will help this team. It is all about working together and encouraging each other to be our best. All five of these girls will help build the team up both in their skill levels as well as their attitudes.”
Rye High School
Jaklyn Newitt, senior
Jordan Holgerson-Rahl, senior
Desiree Ruiz, junior
The following is a quote from head coach Michele Roy.
“Newitt is a senior setter. She is a natural leader with great energy and volleyball knowledge. She has worked hard in the offseason to better her skills and I look forward to seeing her lead the team on the court. Holgerson-Rahl is a senior outside hitter, who is coming back from a season-ending injury and surgery in the offseason. She has a strong arm and does a great job at reading and picking apart a defense. I look forward to seeing her pick up where she left off last season and be key to our offense. Ruiz is our junior libero and is another one who has worked hard in the offseason to hone her skills. We added another defensive player to the team and the two really pushed each other to get better. Ruiz does well when challenged and I see her elevating her game this season because of this.”
Class 4A/5A
Pueblo County
Aubre Baker, senior
Weynishet Farnworth, junior
Eden Johnson, freshman
The following is a quote from head coach Vanessa Clementi.
“Leading the way for the Hornets this season will be the team captain and senior setter Aubre Baker. Along with her strong leadership abilities, Aubre’s volleyball IQ is impressive. She is one of the smartest and most consistent all-around players on the court at all times. Junior outside hitter Weynishet Farnworth will be a huge presence on the Hornets team again this season. Weynishet’s court sense is what makes her a lethal weapon for us. Her powerful offensive presence and tenacious defensive skills make her the full package. Freshman middle blocker Eden Johnson will be a fun one to watch this season. Eden is a high-flying, big-energy type of player. She plays beyond her years and will be a big offensive threat this season for us. She also knows she doesn’t have to do anything alone. She is in good company with seniors Emily Crites, Eloise Bargewell, Kyla Ruzich and junior Bianca Tapia who are all previous seasons' All-Conference Players. Juniors Haylee Huset and Olivia Corsentino will also help round out the Hornets Team this season.”
Pueblo West
Bradie Menegatti, junior
Jamie Suazzo, junior
Rylee Lambert, sophomore
Trynity Martin, junior
Alyssa Medieros, senior
Matti Chamberlain, senior
The following is a quote from head coach Casey King.
“Bradie returns as both a setter and pin hitter for us this year. She recovered from her ankle injury last season to have an amazing track season and is ready to have a great season. Her athletic ability and leadership will be huge for us this year. Jamie was a four-sport athlete last year and that amazing athletic flexibility allows us to use her in a variety of positions. She is a powerful hitter, and we expect her to be one of our top hitters and blockers this year. Rylee was our top hitter as a freshman last year and she has only gotten stronger and has worked hard on both her hitting and defense. She is expected to be a six-rotation player for us this year and a dangerous outside hitter. Trinity is a powerful hitter and blocker and has worked hard to be a dominant middle. Her strong work ethic and silent leadership will be a vital part of our success. Alyssa has put in a lot of time in the gym and weight room to become a powerful outside hitter. Her strong hitting and blocking will be an asset to our season this year. Matti is a three-year varsity athlete, and her versatility allows her to play anywhere in the front row. She is a natural leader and will be a huge part of our success.”
Pueblo Central
Kenna Pino, junior
Rose Martinez, junior
Alexa Carrillo, sophomore
Ashlynn Sáenz, freshman
The following is a quote from head coach Danny Saenz.
“Kenna is a force distributing the ball well, in addition to locking in that right side with some power offensively. Rose is our offensive threat and is no joke on the defensive side of the ball ensuring we keep the ball on their side (a blocking machine). Alexa gives us a strong attack on the outside. Teams will learn her number quite quickly and will surely adapt defensively. Ashlynn is the lone freshman on the team but as the youngest member of the varsity team, she is quickly finding a leadership role in the back row giving us an extra energetic boost defensively. Rounding out the complete varsity team is the following: junior Ysabel Lewis, senior Sage Alfonso, junior Amalie Reese, sophomore Natalie Alfonso, senior Lauren Martinez, senior Brook Cordova and senior Alyx Carillo.”
Pueblo Centennial
Savana Alcaraz, senior
Jade Anspach, senior
Kennedy Davis, senior
Ysanni Montoya, senior
The following is a quote from head coach Anthony Gonzalez.
“Alcaraz is a senior this year and will be our starting libero. She is a determined, focused leader who has really developed her communication and defensive agility. She has become very good at reading her opponents and picking up tips and roll shots. Anspach is another senior. She has our biggest block and is one of our strongest hitters this year. She will be playing middle, and I look forward to the energy she brings to the court. Davis is a senior this year and last year she was our most consistent hitter. This year she will be hitting outside and leading our team. She is a student of the game and always puts the team's needs above her own. She is the overall program captain this year. Jade and Savanna are co-captains. Montoya will also be returning to hit from the outside this year. She has an outstanding attitude coupled with incredible talent. She moves fast, hits like a hammer, and never stops picking her team up.”
Pueblo South
Charleigh Elizando, junior
Emma Torres, junior
Aiesha Martinez, sophomore
The following is a quote from head coach Paul Duran.
“Elizando is a returning varsity player. She was our leading blocker and top hitter. She is very determined to give her best on and off the court and is a role model and is very talented. Torres is another returning varsity player. She played middle last year, and she will be a force this year on the net as she is very knowledgeable of the game and brings a great mood and spirit to the other players. Martinez will be a libero to watch out for with her speed and game skills, she will be a force in the back row. She is very smart and covers well. She is very encouraging and helps with other players.”
More: 2022 All-South-Central League girl's volleyball teams announced
Pueblo East
Cheyanne Ortiz, sophomore
Nina Cowan, junior
The following is a quote from head coach Beth Mauro.
“Cheyenne has beautiful hands and is a natural leader that takes control on and off the court. She has the ability to think and react quickly. Her work ethic is top-notch, and she always pushes her mental and physical game to the limit. Nina is one of the most disciplined players out there. She is a selfless player, teammate, and a true defensive leader. Her relentless ability to get to every single ball is amazing, always giving 110%.”
Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter: @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: See who made the Top 35 Pueblo-area volleyball players list
