Top 5 returning opposites for the 2025 volleyball season

Finishing the preseason countdown with the final list, here are my top five returning opposites. 

There were three on this list that I think are no-brainers, so let’s start with those.

1. Kennedy Martin, Penn State

Kennedy Martin, now at Penn State, is one of my front-runners for the National Player of the Year. Her game-by-game statistics from last year are hard to even believe, hitting .568 with 25 kills and seven blocks. In a stand-out performance, she recorded FIVE aces, 17 kills and six blocks against Texas A&M. Martin has been the definition of taking over a match - to put up 6.28 points per set while hitting .362 on the year is just crazy.

S4 | SET. FINISH.

Parks with the assist to K. Martin for the kill!

Gators 10 | Gamecocks 12 |

📺 (SECN+)

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB)

The 6'6 junior is such a smart and dynamic player, an incredible teammate and lethal attacker, leading the nation in points per set last season. Now that she is paired with Izzy Starck and the reigning national champs in the Nittany Lions, we may hear her name a lot further into the tournament this year. 

READ MORE ABOUT Izzy Stark and other top returning setters

2. Olivia Babcock, Pitt

A dent is in the actual floor. 😲

Olivia. Babcock.

S2|
Pitt - 15
USC - 11

— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB)

I have Pitt's Olivia Babcock next. She's the reigning National Player of the Year and for good reason. Babcock is another player who just dominates matches and her team knows she is getting the ball. She's a player that is just fun to watch, finishing third in the nation last year in service aces and when you watch her jump serve...you understand why. As a sophomore, she hit .323 last season, with 71 aces and over 1.1 blocks per set while leading her team again to the national semifinals.

3. Logan Lednicky, Texas A&M

Logan Lednicky bringing the BOOM

S1:👍2-1🐶 //

— Texas A&M Volleyball (@AggieVolleyball)

Logan Lednicky at Texas A&M is at my number three spot. Another opposite with over five points per set last season. She's the kind of player that rises to the occasion and strength of the opponent, recording three-straight 20+ kill matches in the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament last season. A disciplined blocker as well, and an efficient attacker, get ready to hear Lednicky’s name a lot next season. 

WHO'S ON TOP? 2025 AVCA preseason rankings

After these three, it gets a little tougher to narrow down.

4. Malaya Jones, SMU

MAMA, THERE GOES MALAYA JONES! 💥 x

— Colorado State Volleyball (@CSUVolleyball)

I am going with Malaya Jones now at SMU. She was a scoring machine at Colorado State, racking up 567 kills, which was the fifth most in the NCAA while hitting a career best .311. She will now play in a loaded ACC and bring her experience and leadership to a new group at SMU that can really make some noise. 

5. Noemie Glover, Arizona State

Noemie ➡ Cris ➡ Noemie

📺

— Oregon Volleyball (@OregonVB)

Rounding out the top five, I have Arizona State's newest addition in Noemie Glover. Her numbers are not nearly as flashy as the others on the list, but her ceiling is incredibly high and the talent is certainly there. Glover was a vital piece of Oregon’s offense last season and a strong blocker. She will likely get set even more now at ASU with a bigger role. I am pumped to see it. 

CATCH UP: Top 5 returning liberos

Honorable mention

Some others to keep your eye on: Reese Robbins at Louisville, Jordan Harvey at Stanford and more.

But the countdown is over, the 2025 college volleyball season starts tomorrow. Volleyball is so back. 

TUNE IN: AVCA First Serve live updates