The 2024 high school volleyball season is complete with state champions crowned across the country.
Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas) is the MaxPreps National Champion and senior outside hitter
Macaria Spears of No. 3
Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) is the MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
The postseason honors continue today with the unveiling of the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team and National Coach of the Year honors.
The 6-foot-1 setter already has two state titles under her belt after helping the Tigers to banners in 2023 and this season's undefeated crown.
"She's not your typical freshman," Harrisburg coach Ronette Costain said. "You would've thought she was a senior watching her on the court.
"I've never had to call a play for that kid, she sees what the blockers are doing on the other side. It's all very innate."
Samuels is already approaching 2,000 career assists after posting 1,000 in her eighth-grade season and adding 870 in 2024 as Harrisburg ended the year on a 78-game win streak.
Costain said Samuels grew up watching her sister Morissen playing and fell in love with the game.
"She's amazing to sit back and watch," Costain said. "But I find myself thinking 'How do I keep challenging this kid?'"
A quiet player on the court, Samuels has started to emerge as a more vocal leader.
"When we have film sessions, she's comfortable speaking up," Costain said. "I've told her 'You have to the be the voice on the court.' The other players don't look at her as a freshman."
The RedHawks were 17-9 at one point in the season, having battled to a third-place finish in the Durango Fall Classic Silver Division before then dropping three straight back in the Midwest without MaxPreps All-American
Bella Bullington.
But Marist righted the ship and ran off 15 straight wins, losing only one set, on the way to a Class 4A title with a
19-25, 25-16, 25-19 win over Benet Academy (Lisle). The RedHawks finished 32-9 with a No. 9 ranking in the MaxPreps Top 25.
It was the third title for Marist and Vidovic since his 2016 hiring with the others coming in 2017 and 2018. Vidovic has also led the boys team to two state titles.
A recent inductee in the school's hall of fame, Vidovic was inducted into the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
Read on for a complete look at this year's MaxPreps Freshman All-Americans.
6-0 | Opposite hitter
Led the team with 273 kills (3.3 per set), 252 serve receptions and 191 digs as the Raiders finished as the Division 1 runner-up.
5-9 | Outside hitter
Second on the team with 391 kills (2.9 per set) while adding 557 serve receptions and 333 digs.
6-0 | Setter
Ran the offense for the Falcons with 845 assists (10.1 per set) while adding a team-high 50 assists as they went 20-4 and reached the third round of the Class 4A postseason.
5-7 | Setter
The Knights went 39-6 and won the Division I Class AAA title as she posted 565 assists, 196 digs and 51 aces.
5-11 | Outside hitter
Team's leading hitter with 466 kills as Hebron went 35-7 and reached the Class 6A Division 1 Regional semifinal.
6-1 | Outside hitter
Posted 226 kills, 258 serve receptions and 100 digs as the Thunder went 32-7 and won the Class 5A consolation title.
6-0 | Opposite hitter
Led the Eagles with 506 kills while adding 365 serve receptions, 193 digs and 57 blocks.
5-8 | Outside hitter
Tallied a team-high 440 kills as the Falcons went 41-4 and reached the Class 5A Division 2 final.
5-11 | Setter
The Bulldogs went 21-8 and reached the Class 6A semifinals as she posted 552 assists and 160 kills.
5-7 | Libero
The defensive stalwart had 669 serve receptions and 459 digs as the Mustangs went 45-8.
5-7 | Outside hitter/Defensive specialist
Tigers went 33-3 and reached the Class 4A final. Ritchie led Yorktown with 697 serve receptions and 62 aces, was second with 439 digs and added 185 kills.
NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Quarterback on the court tallied 870 assists as the Tigers went 31-0 and finished No. 16 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
6-0 | Outside hitter
Posted 379 kills (2.8 per set) while adding 490 serve receptions and 274 digs.
6-1 | Outside hitter
Dropped 505 kills (4.5 per set) for the Eagles and they went 29-6-1. She added 409 serve receptions, 337 digs and 49 blocks.
5-8 | Outside hitter
Third on unbeaten, state championship team with 337 kills.
