Who are the top 10 outside hitters in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky volleyball?
From state champions to All-American and Olympians, the Greater Cincinnati area has a long and proud history of women's volleyball.
Coaches like Janet Jaeger at Mount Notre Dame and Maureen Kaiser at St. Henry District High School have made an impact on countless athletes through the years.
With this history in mind and the season quickly approaching, The Enquirer has compiled lists for top players in each position on the court.
In the coming weeks, the five-part series will include defensive specialists and liberos, setters, outside hitters, opposite hitters and middle blockers.
Greater Cincinnati volleyball:These are the top setters this season
Sydney Barrett, Kings
In an impressive sophomore campaign, Barrett led the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 387 kills and was third in the conference with 63 aces. She placed second on her own team with 201 digs behind teammate Elise Marchal. Barrett was named to the All-ECC first team.
Ohio's best:Top 22 high school volleyball players in the state
Ally Cordes, Wyoming
Cordes has 1,168 kills in her career and racked up a league-leading 450 last season for the Cowboys while hitting at a 41.5% rate. She had 201 digs, 46 blocks and 44 aces as Wyoming advanced to the Division II regional semifinal.
Cordes was named the Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year and Division II All-Ohio first-team member. She is committed to playing at Samford University in Alabama.
Libby Evanshine, East Clinton
As a junior for the Astros, Evanshine led the Southern Buckeye Conference in kills with 328 and had the second-most digs (156) and aces (62) for East Clinton. While earning playing time as a setter, she also accrued 203 assists. Evanshire was named to the All-SBAAC National Division first team.
More:Greater Cincinnati high school football games to watch in Week 1
Maia Long, Dixie Heights
The outside hitter led the Colonels with 349 kills and also posted 31 blocks, 150 digs and 22 aces as the Colonels went 12-14. She has committed to Jacksonville State, a Division I school in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Ninah Miranda, Lebanon
The Eastern Cincinnati Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a junior, Miranda led the league in digs with 376 and was fourth in kills with 329. She also contributed to the Warriors' success with 40 aces and 22 blocks. Miranda is committed to playing for Lipscomb University in Tennessee.
Sydney Nolan, Notre Dame Academy
The senior hitter led the Pandas with 427 kills and 85 blocks as the Pandas went 30-9, losing to St. Henry in the Ninth Region final. Nolan was named first-team all-state by the state coaches association and is ranked fourth in the state among seniors by Prep Dig.
She has committed to North Carolina.
More:Ohio's best: Top 22 high school volleyball players
Kelsey Niesen, Roger Bacon
Just like her older sister Cammy, Kelsey Niesen is developing into a star for the Spartans. She led the Miami Valley Conference with 354 kills as a sophomore and was fifth in the league with 296 digs. Both Niesen sisters were named to the All-MVC Scarlet Division first team.
Ashley Walker, Sycamore
Walker led the Greater Miami Conference with 312 kills at a hitting percentage of 30.1. She dug 186 attacks and served up 42 aces on her way to being named to the conference's first team.
Mya White, Lebanon
As a sophomore, White was in the top five in the ECC in several categories including aces (73, first), kills (333, third) and digs (291, fifth). She was named to the all-conference first team.
More:VIDEO: Enquirer breaks down opening week of Cincinnati high school football
Faith Young, Harrison
Young is the top returning attacker in the Southwest Ohio Conference, having put away 354 kills last year at a 24.7% rate. A first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore, she also added 208 digs, 39 aces and 30 blocks for the Wildcats.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati high school volleyball: Top outside hitters in area
