Top 5 girls high school volleyball players in the metro-east for 2024

With the 2024 high school girls volleyball season upon us, here’s a look at five players you should keep an eye on. We have them ranked alphabetically:

Avery Boehm, Mascoutah

The junior outside hitter led the Indians offense with 282 kills while averaging 3.32 kills per set. Boehm helped lead Mascoutah to the IHSA Class 3A Taylorville Super Sectional last fall as a sophomore. She’s fielding college scholarship offers, but remains undecided.

Adela Gagen, Belleville West

A senior setter, Gagen was the table-setter of the Maroons offense last season with an eye-popping, team-high 425 assists and a 5.12 assists per game average. Gagen also is solid on defense as she averaged 1.96 digs per game. She helped West advance to the IHSA Class 4A Pekin Sectional championship last fall.

Alyssa Koerkenmeier, Mater Dei

The 6-5 senior middle blocker came up big in big moments in the Knights’ Class 2A title run last year. She averaged 2.856 kills and 1.4 blocks as a junior. She’s also standout basketball player who will continue her playing career next year at Saint Louis University.

Gabby Orlet, Althoff

Althoff Catholic setter led the Crusaders with a whopping 670 assists and was strong on the defensive side of the court with 186 digs last year as a junior. Orlet also plays soccer was a key contributor to Althoff’s Class 3A championship team this spring. She was the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award in recognition of her battle with cancer.

Haili Pajares, Freeburg

The senior outside hitter was big on offense for the Midgets as she finished second on the club in kills with 198. Pajares also veraged 2.30 kills per set as a junior. Pajares was a key cog in last year’s Midgets squad that went 27-12 and advanced to the IHSA Class 3A Mascoutah Sectional championship.