(Senior Player of the Year Finalists)

(Junior Player of the Year Finalists)

Like our Sophomore Player of the Year Finalists list, the vballrecruiter.com Freshman Player of the Year Finalists selections was dramatically narrowed down from our Player of the Year Candidates. That list featured nearly 50 players who first started off in the running. However, there are just nine finalists below. That’s because the criteria for winning the award is steep and ultimately not many qualified.

To be a finalist a player didn’t necessarily have to lead their team in a statistical category, but the contributions had to make a significant impact and be undeniable. Another determining factor was overall team success. Given the number of freshmen listed as candidates, to be chosen as a finalist their respective team needed to win a state championship or the equivalent of given some programs can be independent. It’s a tough standard, one that eliminated plenty of talented candidates who had tremendous seasons for their respective schools.

We’ll select the eventual Freshman Player of the Year winner from the list of finalists below, listed in alphabetical order.

Carson Caraway OH Jackson Academy MS: The Raiders would not have claimed their fifth consecutive MAIS Division 1 state championship without the performance of Caraway this fall. The 6-2, 4-star freshman paced the offense with 481 kills, averaging 3.6 per set. She also led the team in aces with 115 while finishing third in digs (291) and fourth in blocks (35). She sent down 19 kills in the state finals against Madison-Ridgeland Academy. She had a season-high 24 kills in a four-set victory over Lamar in mid-September. It was one of two times she had 20 kills or more.

Emma Kingston MB Mater Dei CA: Kingston – a 6-4, 3-star recruit – is a rare finalist who didn’t contribute heavily on the offensive side. She finished fifth in kills with 113, but she did hit an impressive .384. However, she was a force at the net with her blocking and a game-changer for the national champions because of it. Her 125 stuffs led the team by more than 40 blocks. She averaged 1.1 per set and turned in her biggest performances down the stretch. It included a season-high eight kills and season-best nine blocks in Mater Dei’s state semifinal victory over Cathedral Catholic. She also had seven blocks in her team’s sectional final triumph against Mira Costa, as well as seven blocks in the state quarterfinals against Huntington Beach and the state final against Archbishop Mitty.

Gentry Barker OH Lovejoy TX: Barker was featured as our Player of the Week this week. She’s in the running as a Player of the Year finalist after helping Lovejoy to the Texas 5A state championship. The 4-star outside racked up a team-leading 424 kills, averaging 3.3 per set. She also tied for second in digs with 365 and was second in aces with 44. She registered 17 kills in the state championship against Liberty Hill, one of three times she reached that mark. It was two kills shy of her season-best 19 in a mid-September victory over Plano West.

Kate Kalczynski OH Mercy MI: Kalczynski was another freshman who played an integral role in her team winning a state title as Mercy brought home the top honor in the Michigan Division 1 playoffs. She posted a team-leading 310 kills. She averaged 3.8 per set. She also finished first in aces (44) and second in digs (161). She put away a season-best 20 kills in a four-set victory against Marian in early October.

Lina Wang OH McIntosh GA: The Chiefs claiming the Georgia 5A state title and Wang’s impact has her in the running for the Player of the Year honors. Wang led the roster with 316 kills. She averaged 2.8 per set while also ending second in aces (66) and digs (326). She had three outings of 20 kills or more, including a season-high 21 in a five-set victory over Newnan in late September.

Lydia Chinchar RS Carrollwood Day FL: Chinchar – a 6-1, 4-star recruit – was a wrecking ball as the Patriots earned the Florida 3A state championship. She powered the offense with 573 kills, nearly 250 more than the next leader. She averaged a whopping 6.3 kills per set while hitting a remarkable .428. On top of that, she was second in digs (266) and blocks (67) and third in aces (37). If that wasn’t enough, she had her best match with a season-high 37 kills in the state championship match against Westminster Christian. It was one of two times she had at least 31 kills. She also had nine additional matches with at least 20 kills or more.

Olivia Henry OH Fieldston NY: Henry was a difference-maker as the Eagles captured the NYSAIS state championship for the ninth time in program history. It was part of a perfect 25-0 season. The 6-4, 5-star recruit took this season by storm. Her length and athleticism overwhelmed opponents and placed her as one of our Player of the Year finalists.

Peyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley IL: With Heatherly running the attack, Mother McAuley finished on top of the Illinois 4A state playoffs. The 3-star recruit is certainly worthy of being a finalist. She totaled 737 assists, averaging 7.8 per set. She was also third in digs (208) and aces (26). She had five matches with at least 30 assists. It featured three outings with 32 assists, including in the state final in a three-set victory over Benet Academy.

Sophia Dostic S Plant FL: Dostic – a 3-star recruit – was another setter who played a key role in guiding the attack as the Panthers captured the Florida 7A state championship. She tallied 629 assists, averaging 9.0 per set. Her best match was a season-high 53 assists in a five-set victory over Trinity Catholic in early September. She also had 37 dimes in the state championship against Winter Park. It was one of five times she surpassed 30 assists, as well as going over 40 twice.