Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
If you remember last season — and how could you forget — the area’s volleyball scene provided plenty of drama and an abundance of success as usual.
Between the SVC, SOC, FAC, SHAC, OVC, MSL-Buckeye and TVC, the seven conferences within SOSA’s coverage reach, seven different programs earned district titles.
But en route to those postseason finishes, there were plenty of individual performances to rave about, multiple records broken and tons of matches that won’t soon be forgotten.
As for this season, we expect much more of the same. But before it happens, for the sixth straight year, we’ve decided to compile a list of the coverage area’s top 30 players. It was an absolute bear to do so, but we think we’ve got a list of 30 athletes who are the absolute best at their craft.
Remember, this list only includes players from within SOSA’s coverage area and it isn’t an end all, be all. We encourage discussion, and giving our athletes the recognition they deserve is always our mission.
10. Kylee Dunn, Junior, Southeastern
2025 statistics: 313 kills, 37 aces, 54 blocks, 51 digs, 6 assists
While the Panthers nailed down 15 wins last fall, Dunn made her presence known every single night. She compiled a career-high 313 kills while maintaining a .331 hitting percentage — putting her career total at 609 kills in just two seasons. She’s an absolute menace at the net.
9. Avary Claxon, Sophomore, South Webster
2025 statistics: 320 kills, 52 aces, 32 blocks, 320 digs, 13 assists
Like her sisters before her, Claxon stepped into the limelight as a freshman and looked like a well-seasoned veteran all year. While the Jeeps claimed yet another district title, Claxon led her team in kills and hit percentage. She also added 320 digs to the mix. She’s going to be special.
8. Braelyn Simpson, Junior, Eastern Meigs
2025 statistics: 326 kills, 30 aces, 7 blocks, 236 digs, 14 assists
There’s a lot of chatter about how good Eastern Meigs has the potential to be this season. Simpson is one of the main reasons why. She made a mockery of opposing defenses last fall, registering 326 kills and a .319 hit percentage. She has 649 career kills, on the hunt for 1,000.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
7. Kylie Yeazel, Senior, Miami Trace
2025 statistics: 62 kills, 52 aces, 8 blocks, 180 digs, 796 assists
Every year, we think there’s no way that Yeazel can get any better. And every year, she proves us wrong. The already-legendary setter set a career-high last fall with 796 assists — putting her career total at 2,282. It led her team to a share of an FAC title and their first-ever district crown.
6. Ally Thornsley, Senior, Circleville
2025 statistics: 102 kills, 34 aces, 30 blocks, 197 digs, 740 assists
Circleville can ask Thornsley to play at any position and she’ll do so at an elite level. While settling into a setter role last fall, she totaled 740 assists while collecting the 1,000th in her career. She also added 102 kills and 197 digs, proving her versatility. She’s simply magnificent.
5. Karlee Snavely, Junior, Zane Trace
2025 statistics: 365 kills, 46 aces, 49 blocks, 242 digs, 376 assists
It’s not a far stretch to say that Snavely is a frontrunner to be this year’s SVC POY. And we know how illustrious that honor is in a conference full of parity every year. With only two years under her belt, Snavely already has 558 kills, 478 digs and 836 assists. She’s a rare talent.
4. Kimmy Dalton, Senior, Adena
2025 statistics: 1 kill, 82 aces, 0 blocks, 505 digs, 16 assists
Just when it seems like a play is over, Dalton comes swooping in to make sure the ball stays alive. The two-time SVC Defensive Player of the Year lived up to her reputation once again last fall, totaling 505 digs — 18.7 per match. She’s now at 1,051 digs in her career, looking for more.
3. Alyssa Mullins, Senior, Wheelersburg
2025 statistics: 358 kills, 52 aces, 19 blocks, 264 digs, 9 assists
As Wheelersburg’s program, as a whole, has elevated to new heights, Mullins has powered that ride. The veteran hitter has proven her worth time and time again since she stepped into the varsity limelight. Her 358 kills and 264 digs puts her at 795 and 729, respectively, in her career.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
2. Evelyn Hamman, Senior, Chillicothe
2025 statistics: 436 kills, 39 aces, 59 blocks, 198 digs, 3 assists
There’s elite players and then there’s Hamman, who’s in a class of her own. Her 436 kills as a junior is the most on this list, and she added 39 aces and 198 digs to her resume for good measure. She walks into her senior year with 1,039 kills, already the program’s all-time leader.
1. Gracyn Clark, Senior, Gallia Academy
2025 statistics: 49 kills, 66 aces, 14 blocks, 214 digs, 924 assists
When the dust settles, Clark will end her career as the best setter to ever play at Gallia Academy, and as one of the best to ever play in the state of Ohio. Her 924 assists ranked ninth in the state last fall and gave her 2,371 during her illustrious career. The Blue Angels will be tough to beat all year long and it’s Clark who’s leading that charge, while chasing records.
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