At about the halfway point of the 2025 college volleyball season, let’s take a look at my list of the top 12 freshmen to keep your eye on this season.
For the record, I started with a list of 15-plus names and almost all were worthy. This was one of the most difficult lists I’ve made with so much new talent.
1. Cari Spears, Texas
Let’s start with Cari Spears — no questions asked. Far and beyond the front-runner for National Freshman of the Year and the only rookie on the AVCA National Player of the Year watch list. She has so much power and shot selection on the right side and can literally take over a match as a freshmen. The most impressive part is she is hitting over .320 after Week 7.
Cari Spears makes it look easy🤘
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball)
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: AVCA Player of the Year award
2. Erika Sayer, Stanford
Next I have Erika Sayer at Stanford. She's one of the most impressive freshman this season in the middle, and is so good off the slide. Sayer is averaging over three points per set, over a block per set and is hitting over .400...are you kidding?
3. Lindsey Mangelson, Mississippi State
Lindsey Mangelson at Mississippi State is putting up numbers that'll make you take a double take. Over five points per set after Week 7 is pretty incredible for a freshmen. Not to mention, she is hitting close to .300 on the outside and is just great all the way around with over two digs per set.
4. Suli Davis, BYU
Suli Davis at BYU was a highly touted recruit living up to the hype. The 2025 PrepVolleyball Player of the Year is now putting up over four kills per set while hitting close to .300 as well.
SULI👏 DAVIS👏
— BYU Women’s Volleyball (@BYUwvolleyball)
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5. Kalyssa Blackshear, Louisville
Kalyssa Blackshear at Louisville makes the list after winning a starting spot for the Cardinals. She's been so impressive and efficient while hitting over .300 after Week 7 with over three points per set a disciplined blocker as well.
LOUISVILLE AND WHO ELSE? Check out Michella Chester's Week 7 Power Rankings
6. Spencer Etzler, Stanford
Spencer Etzler is the new starting libero for Stanford, filling some big shoes. She's already one of the best in the country and it's not just her defense with over 3.8 digs per set but her passing is incredible passing around 62% in system after Week 7 — which for reference anything 60 or above is REALLY impressive.
7. Morgan Madison, Baylor
Another fantastic passer and freshman libero to make the list is Baylor’s Morgan Madison. She too is passing over 60% in system, just incredible for a freshman and keeps so much off the floor.
8. Teodora Kričkovic, Indiana
I’ve got two freshmen at Indiana to make the list — Teodora Kričkovic and Jaden Jager.
Kričkovic has over 10.7 assists per set, is hitting over .300 herself and is strong defensively. She is leading this Indiana offense to what could be its best season ever.
TWO REMAIN: The biggest tests that undefeated Nebraska and Texas have left
9. Jaidyn Jager, Indiana
Jager is a big part of Indiana's success with close to four points per set, logging 20 kills in a standout performance against Southeast Missouri State. For mostly freshmen to bring the Hoosier team to new heights is impressive and the future is bright.
10. Kassie O'Brien, Kentucky
Kassie O'Brien at Kentucky coming in with some more huge shoes to fill with two prolific Wildcat setters before her. She has come into some big time ranked matchups and has been the difference maker, amassing 30 or more assists since early September. She's a strong setter with great IQ.
All yours, Kassie.
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB)
3-2, Kentucky | Set 1
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11. Lily Hayes, Florida
Lily Hayes at Florida makes the list. Her passing really stood out to me the most when evaluating these freshman liberos. Hayes boasts a 57% good passing percentage, with over 3.5 digs per set.
SAVED BY HAYES 🤯
— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB)
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12. Reese Messer, Southern California
And finally, Reese Messer at Southern California is another freshman setter to make the list. Messer holds over 10 assists per set and over two digs per set for the Trojans.
Honorable Mention
I mentioned that the list started at over 25 names so I want to rattle off some more players you need to watch.
Stella Swenson is a redshirt freshman at Minnesota but set to have a terrific career. Kristen Simon at Wisconsin, and Malayah Long at Michigan State deserve recognition. Eliana Urzua at UCLA has been so impressive for the Bruins. Jovana Zelenovic at Kansas and Logan Parks at Stanford are names you will hear A LOT of in years to come. Alanah Clemente at Oregon, Abigail Mullen at Southern California and Abby Vander Wal at Texas have to be named. Then we have Virginia Adriano who's technically a freshman and Teraya Sigler at Nebraska. There's also Dagmar Mourits at Pitt, McKenna Garr at Minnesota and so many more.
