Top 12 college volleyball impact freshmen in 2023 — so far

Here is the breakdown of Michella Chester’s top 12 freshmen — in no particular order — who are making waves in the 2023 season. 

Nebraska: Harper Murray, OH | Andi Jackson MB | Bergen Reilly, S 

Nothing says freshmen impact like a trio of first years in the starting lineup of the No. 2 team in the country. The Huskers’ thrilling success this season can largely be attributed to these three standouts. There’s Harper Murray on the outside, with 184 kills on .293 hitting. In the middle, Andi Jackson presents an offensive threat, hitting a whopping .404 this season and connecting well with setter, and fellow freshman, Bergen Reilly. Reilly has 541 assists on a Huskers team hitting .293.

Pitt: Olivia Babcock, RS | Torrey Stafford, OH

A freshman duo headlines No. 8 Pitt’s continued stance in the top 10. Olivia Babcock and Torrey Stafford have five ACC honors between them and have helped their squad to a .305 hitting percentage on the season. Babcock’s killer jump serve has reaped 19 aces this season and her 189 kills lead the team. Stafford won the OH position and is a threat at 177 kills,

Tor gets her 10th kill, and Clemson calls a timeout! Time to finish it out.

Pitt – 21
Clemson – 17 pic.twitter.com/YBARV23Nes

— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) October 8, 2023
 

Chloe Chicoine | Purdue OH

Another week leading the league. @ChicoineChloe is the Big Ten Freshman of the Week! 🏅

☝️ Led all Big Ten, ACC and Pac-12 players with 5.83 points per set AND 1.00 ace per set
⚡️ Averaged a .349 attack % and 4.67 kills per set pic.twitter.com/8hf1GvDRAY

— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) October 9, 2023

Chicoine has been turning heads over at Purdue as the Boilermakers produce yet another standout freshman. The outside hitter’s stats are impressive with 257 kills on .266 hitting and 22 aces. Coach Dave Shondell said she was unlike any high school player he had ever seen. Against one of the best defenses in the country, the standout hit almost .360 with 18 kills and 7 digs in the five-set loss to Nebraska. 

Kennedy Martin  —  Florida OH

It’s no coincidence that the year Martin showed up, Florida surged into the top 10. Winning the AVCA National Player of the Week award in the first week of the season, Kennedy is the only freshman on this list to have claimed the honor this season. The 6-foot-6 player averages 4.7 points per…