Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

Ranking the Area’s Top 30 Volleyball Players: 30-21

July 23, 2026
, 1:00 pm
, Features

We take a look at the area's top 30 volleyball players, beginning with numbers 30-21.

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.

30. Brooklyn Burdette, Junior, Trimble

2025 statistics: 257 kills, 54 aces, 8 blocks, 281 digs, 28 assists

Burdette followed a strong freshman campaign with a breakout sophomore season. Her 257 kills was a team-high and when the Tomcats needed a point, they certainly looked her way. She set career-highs in virtually every statistical category in 2025. You can expect big things in 2026.

29. Ryanne Moore, Senior, Piketon

2025 statistics: 263 kills, 22 aces, 74 blocks, 80 digs, 8 assists

Moore is severely underrated and that’s putting it lightly. The senior will be tasked with leading the ‘Streak yet again this season — a responsibility she’s embraced quite well over the past few years. She’ll enter the fall with career totals of 672 kills and 171 blocks, looking to play add-on.

Trimble’s Brooklyn Burdette tallied 257 kills and 281 digs as a junior.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

28. Sophia Phillips, Sophomore, Notre Dame

2025 statistics: 245 kills, 64 aces, 18 blocks, 241 digs, 14 assists

In her first year of varsity action, Phillips impressed every step of the way. Her 245 kills, 64 aces and 241 digs aided the Titans to a 21-5 finish last fall, including a district championship and a 10-0 mark in SOC I play. She also had a promising .278 hit percentage. Her trajectory is up.

27. Laikyn Hall, Senior, Wheelersburg

2025 statistics: 107 kills, 2 aces, 67 blocks, 35 digs, 8 assists

It was easy to mill Hall’s contribution amongst a sea of talent at Wheelersburg last season. This fall, that won’t be the case. She’ll undoubtedly be one of the Pirates’ main threats. Her 67 blocks were a team-high and prove her ability to play well above the net. She’s set for a special year.

26. Taryn Gillott, Junior, Waverly

2025 statistics: 90 kills, 15 aces, 26 blocks, 226 digs, 470 assists

With the ability to do a bit of everything, Gillott continued to progress last season. The Tigers trusted her to run the offense and she did just that, tallying a team-high 470 assists while adding 226 digs to the defensive end. She enters 2026 with career totals of 911 assists and 500 digs.

25. Elin Shaw, Junior, Clay

2025 statistics: 302 kills, 62 aces, 20 blocks, 145 digs, 14 assists

Shaw saw a dramatic ascension in her statistics last year and she played in just two more sets than the year prior. Her 302 kills and .248 hit percentage led the team, as did her 38.6 kill percentage. She enters her junior year with a goal of leading Clay back to a league title.

24. Kortney Sowers, Senior, Adena

2025 statistics: 2 kills, 35 aces, 0 blocks, 224 digs, 461 assists

Adena’s program history speaks for itself, but it wouldn’t be so illustrious without players like Sowers. The senior has provided stability for her teammates throughout her career with career totals of 95 aces, 387 digs and 908 assists. Needless to say, she’s got a big year ahead.

23. Brayleigh Pistole, Junior, West

2025 statistics: 52 kills, 26 aces, 25 blocks, 344 digs, 530 assists

West could absolutely have a say in who wins the SOC III this year and talent like Pistole’s is exactly why. The Senators, now with plenty of experience under their belts, are poised for a big year. Pistole, their setter, will set the tone while looking to keep them in the league title race.

Gallia Academy’s Aspen Barnes had 230 kills and 156 digs as a freshman.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

22. Aspen Barnes, Sophomore, Gallia Academy

2025 statistics: 230 kills, 33 aces, 3 blocks, 156 digs, 7 assists

While an injury sidelined Barnes for a good while last fall, she was an all-out terror to play against in the 57 sets she was a part of. As a freshman, her four kills per set was a team-high as she paved her own path at the varsity level. She’ll look to continue progressing in 2026.

21. Tylee Davis, Senior, Hillsboro

2025 statistics: 278 kills, 33 aces, 6 blocks, 338 digs, 29 assists

There’s not a lot that Davis doesn’t do well. She’s a dangerous hitter with the ability to take over a match, and she’s relentless on the defensive end. Her 338 digs were a team-high, and her 278 kills ranked second. If you’re playing Hillsboro, your game plan better center around her.