Many of the Dallas area’s top teams have gotten veteran-level production this season from underclassmen.
From a trio of young standouts at third-ranked Hebron to a sophomore setter at No.1 Trophy Club Byron Nelson, rising stars are making an impact across the metroplex.
Here are 10 underclassmen that have stood out this Texas high school volleyball season.
Madison Jones
School: McKinney
Position: Defensive Specialist
Class: Sophomore
Jones has been solid on the defensive end for McKinney, posting 358 digs in 99 sets in her first year on the varsity squad. She will try to help McKinney (18-19, 4-6 District 6-6A) make up ground in a difficult district as the Lions attempt to make a playoff push.
Samantha Woulfe
School: Richardson Pearce
Class: Sophomore
Position: Setter
Woulfe has been stellar setting up the Mustangs’ front court in her first year as a varsity player. She has 536 assists in 88 sets for Richardson Pearce (21-9, 61- District 7-6A), which is currently in second place in its district.
Sophee Peterson
School: TC Byron Nelson
Position: Setter
Class: Sophomore
Peterson has directed the show this season for The Dallas Morning News’ top-ranked 6A team that’s on a 23-match win streak. She’s averaging an area-best 12.6 assists per set and ranks third with 859 total assists.
Kamryn Mullican
School: Hebron
Position: Setter
Class: Sophomore
Mullican ranks seventh best in the area with 703 total assists. She has been a key contributor for the third-ranked 6A team looking to win its first state championship since a three-peat from 2015-2017.
Taylor Johnson
School: Hebron
Class: Freshman
Position: Outside Hitter
Johnson has been a superstar freshman for Hebron (27-6, 8-0 District 5-6A) this season, hitting well beyond her years. She ranks thirteenth in the area in kills with 349 in the first 93 sets of her varsity career.
Marley Rogers
School: Hebron
Class: Sophomore
Position: Middle Hitter
Rogers has given her teammate Johnson plenty of support at the net this season. She has 62 blocks in 78 sets for the District 5-6A leading Hawks.
Kaylie Davis
School: Frisco Independence
Class: Sophomore
Position: Outside Hitter
Davis’ development in short succession in her debut varsity season has been a bright spot for Frisco Independence (15-13, 1-7 District 4-5AII). She’a among the area leaders in kills with 318 in 84 sets as she looks to help the Knights get it going in district play.
Maya Ogbogu
School: Allen
Class: Freshman
Position: Outside Hitter
Ogbogu is another talented area freshman, leading Allen (22-12, 7-4 District 6-6A) in kills with 346. The Eagles are in third place in 6-6A and are a serious contender for their first district championship since 2016.
Mackenzie Ratcliff
School: Richardson
Class: Sophomore
Position: Middle Blocker
Ratcliff has been an offensive force for Richardson (13-16, 5-2 District 7-6A) in her second year on the varsity team, posting 317 kills in 80 sets. She’s a big reason why the Eagles are currently third in their district.
Gentry Barker
School: Lovejoy
Class: Sophomore
Position: Outside Hitter
Ten-time state champion Lovejoy (27-7, 8-0 District 4-5AII) has had plenty of underclassman standouts in the program’s 17-year history, and Barker is the latest one. She has 340 kills in 102 sets for the favorites to win District 4-5AII.
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
