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Cincinnati’s top hitters in 2024
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Cincinnati’s top hitters in 2024

With just over a week until the 2024 high school volleyball season begins, The Enquirer is once again listing the top players by position in the Greater Cincinnati area.

The reveal began on Monday with the best defensive specialists and liberos, on Tuesday with the top 10 setters and on Wednesday with the best blockers. The final list includes the best attackers in the city.

They are the final step in navigating the defense and scoring a point for your team. They may have a predetermined shot on their head, but can be adjusted in an instant to produce a high-speed shot that comes up the court, a low-speed cut shot, or a side shot off the block.

Remember to vote for the best player in the poll at the bottom of the story. Voting will end at 4:00 pm (US Eastern Time) on Monday, August 12.

Allie Barrick, CHCA

After having the second-most kills in the Miami Valley Conference last year (377) and adding 208 digs, 33 aces and 30 blocks, she was named to the MVC first team and the Division II All-Ohio third team.

The Lipscomb commit has already surpassed 1,000 career kills thanks to her ability to adapt in an instant while in the air. She can find the open field with a direct shot or a slow touch and can draw a team out of an opponent’s block.

Callie Combs, Seton

The North Carolina State commit is one of the top players in the Girls Greater Catholic League. She finished her sophomore year with 209 kills and was among the league’s top five in digs (359) and aces (47), while also recording 20 blocks and 11 assists.

Combs was selected to the All-GGCL First Team and appeared on the All-Southwest District Third Team in 2023.

Grace Crider, Anderson

She’s the top returning hitter in Cincinnati’s Eastern Conference after recording 356 kills as a junior. The Kings won the 2023 league title by three games; Crider will play a big role in keeping Anderson in what’s sure to be a tight race for the 2024 crown. The Raptors are seeking their first league title since 2014.

As a junior, Crider was named to the ECC First Team and the All-Southwest District Second Team thanks to 183 digs, 53 aces and 16 assists. She has 703 career kills and should reach her 1,000th this fall.

Katie Gielas, Ursuline

She is on pace to eclipse 1,000 career kills during her senior season. She is a pure hitter and her powerful arm led her to lead the GGCL with 384 kills as a junior. She also had 51 digs and 34 blocks.

Gielas was a valuable member of a senior-laden team that won the 2022 state title and hopes to lead the Lions back to the top in her senior year. She is committed to play at Florida Gulf Coast.

Luci Heid, Badin

Heid is one of two top-tier players Badin’s opponents won’t want to see on the other side of the net. As a junior, she led the Greater Catholic League-Coed with 424 kills and added 196 digs, 59 aces, 46 blocks and 17 assists. The Northern Kentucky commit was named to the GCL-C, district and D II all-state first teams.

Natalie Knigga, Lawrenceburg

The veteran is a true rotation-six player, as she led the Tigers with 510 assists, 362 kills and 60 aces while also contributing 359 digs and 23 blocks. She was named the Eastern Indiana Conference Most Valuable Player.

Knigga is truly versatile at the net, capable of hitting a variety of shots in any given situation. She also has the lateral quickness to get up and block when needed. Her ability on every rotation makes her a nightmare for opposing teams.

Milyn Minor, Scott

The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association voted her the 2023 10th Region Player of the Year, no small feat for a sophomore. She is part of a family of athletes; her brother Mitchel currently plays basketball at Northern Kentucky University, where their father, Shannon, is in the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Minor led the Eagles with 474 kills and already has 1,025 for her career. She also had 358 digs, 45 aces and 41 blocks as Scott won its first District 37 championship since 2020. The Eagles advanced to the 10th Region championship for the fourth time in five years, but all the pieces are there for them to advance to the state tournament this year for the first time since 2020.

Caroline Moore and Mercy McAuley

Moore is one of the top returning hitters in the GGCL. The Oakland University commit and GGCL honorable mention had 229 kills, 65 digs, 50 blocks and 26 aces as a junior.

In 2023, she played six matches in which she scored double-digit kills, including a career-high 18 in a five-set win over Seton. Her final performance of the season culminated in a moment many players dream of: scoring the final point to win Mercy McAuley’s first state championship.

Day in North Kendall, Summit Country

She is listed as a middle blocker, but led the MVC with 402 kills as a sophomore, more than double her total of 197 as a freshman. Northern also had 105 digs, 17 blocks and 12 aces for the Silver Knights and was named to the All-MVC First Team. With 599 career kills, she has a chance to get her 1,000th kill this season.

When you Google Northern’s name, one surprising result is a TikTok calling her one of the best players in the country in the class of 2026. She is worthy of that recognition as she has already attended camps at Duke, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Stanford and Wisconsin.

Ava Tilden, Notre Dame Academy

The Xavier commit led her team with 355 kills and was one of four players with at least 200 digs. The Pandas may have the most intimidating offense in all of Kentucky this year.

Tilden has one of the most powerful arms in Greater Cincinnati, but has the finesse to direct her offense to all areas of the court. After totaling 153 digs, 37 aces and 22 blocks, she was named to the 2023 All-36th District Tournament Team, the All-Ninth Region Tournament Team and the All-State Tournament Team.

On the radar

Addy BianchiniMason; Kendall BosseRoss; Molly CreechSaint Ursula; Mariah GainesRoger Bacon; Ella HeidenNew Richmond; Jenna’s KitchensSimon Kenton; Ava McIntyreKings; Morgan MeiringFenwick; Charlotte PattonConner; Cara RichterMount Notre Dame; Savannah StaceyMcNicholas; Ella SundermanWilliamsburg; Olivia WeisemanMonroe

Voting: Who is the best hitter in Greater Cincinnati?

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