Freshmen are playing important roles for several top IE teams

“She’s a freshman! She’s a freshman!”

That is a chant usually heard during girls a volleyball match whenever a ninth grader comes through with a big kill, block or ace.

And that chorus of words is being heard more than ever inside Inland high school gymnasiums this season, as several of the area’s top teams have freshmen playing prominent roles on the court. Youth is being served and the future looks very bright for these programs.

Here is a list of 20 freshman volleyball players making significant impacts for their teams this season.

RYAH BROCK, ROOSEVELT, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Averaging 3.7 kills and 2.1 digs per set for the Mustangs.

SAALIYAH BROWN, SUMMIT, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Averaging four kills per set with a team-high 55 blocks.

MYA CAPISTRANO, ROOSEVELT, SETTER >> Elite libero on the club circuit averages about six assists per set.

MACKENZIE DUGUID, RANCHO CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Ranks second on the team in kills and aces.

ZOEY EVANS, GREAT OAK, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Has been a factor at the net in first year with Wolfpack.

LAUREN FURNALD, ETIWANDA, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Averaging a teamhigh 2.9 kills per set for the Eagles.

LAUREN GREEN, WOODCREST CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Already showing great instincts as an attacker. ELLA JOHNSON, CHAPARRAL, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Quickly became one of the team’s top offensive players.

BAYLEE JONES, VISTA MURRIETA, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Has shown promise whenever she is on the court.

KIERSTEN MOORE, VISTA MURRIETA, SETTER >> The next in the long line of phenomenal Bronco setters.

LONDYN NEAL, CENTENNIAL, SETTER >> Ranks high among all Inland setters at nine assists per set.

BROOKLYN PIERCE, LINFIELD CHRISTIAN, SETTER >> Floor general is averaging 7.4 assists per set.

EVELYN POOL, WOODCREST CHRISTIAN, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Stands over 6-foot and is a presence at net.

JORDAN RALL, ROOSEVELT. MIDDLE BLOCKER >> A strong net defender who leads the Mustangs in blocks.

DINE REECE, SUMMIT, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Team’s top perimeter attacker is averaging two kills per set.

SANDIE SOUZA, HILLCREST, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Top-rated beach player gets the job done indoors, too.

SOPHIA SWOGGER, CITRUS VALLEY, DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST >> Back-row whiz averages 3.6 digs per set.

ASIA UDO-EMA, CENTENNIAL, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Leads all Inland freshman with 294 kills (4.6 per set).

MYLI VICTOR, UPLAND, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Has become the go-to attacker, averaging 4.3 kills per set.

JORDYN WILSON, ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Racks up kills taking sets from sister Morgan.

PHOTO BY MILKA SOKO, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Roosevelt’s Ryah Brock hits the ball against Murrieta Valley’s Mya Keller and Izabella Nichalos in a nonleague match earlier this season.

TERRY PIERSON — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arrowhead Christian’s Jordyn Wilson, left, hits past Ontario Christian blockers during an Ambassador League match last month.