The race for Miss Volleyball 2025 could be as close as it’s been in years. The seniors eligible for that award are lined up to play for the Gophers and in other power conference programs.

Defending volleyball state champions are bringing back key contributors. The best club teams are all producing Division I recruits.

The volleyball talent pool in Minnesota is deep, too deep to list every star. Here are 16 players to watch during the coming high school season. We call them the 2025 Minnesota Star Tribune Dream Team.

Kaelyn Bjorklund

Lakeville South, right side/setter, junior

A six-rotation player, the 6-1 Bjorklund has the deadliest serve in the state, producing a school-record 79 service aces last year. College: Clemson

Lauren Bunge

East Ridge, middle blocker, junior

The 6-1 Bunge helped the Raptors reach the Class 4A state semifinals and helped Northern Lights win a USA juniors title this summer. College: Texas Tech

Sidney Burley

Prior Lake, defensive specialist/libero, senior

Considered one of the top liberos in the 2026 class nationally, Burley makes the Lakers a strong contender for their first state trip since 2017. College: Kentucky

Romi Chlebecek

Lakeville South, outside hitter, senior

What she lacks in size, the 5-11 Chlebecek makes up for with a powerful swing, leading the defending 4A champion Cougars with 363 kills last season. College: Denver

Rayna Christianson

Lakeville North, setter/right-side hitter, senior

The Panthers lost coach Jackie Richter, but her replacement, longtime Champlin Park coach John Yunker, inherits Christianson, the state’s top playmaker and candidate to win Miss Volleyball. College: Creighton

Ellery DeBoer

Willmar, setter, junior

The 5-11 DeBoer’s passing prowess gave her the ability to play up in age level in AAU play for Minnesota Select and orchestrate the offense for the state’s best U-17 club team. College: Michigan State

Reese Drake

Marshall, outside hitter, senior

A springy 5-8, she made 505 kills last season, the most among players who are back in 2025, and was named MVP of the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association all-star series this summer. College: Southwest Minnesota State

Harper Goldsmith

Chatfield, setter, senior

The 5-8 Goldsmith had 921 assists last season, the most in the state among returning players, and she put Chatfield’s offense in position to nearly upset Class 2A champion Hawley in the state semifinals. College: Augustana

Elena Hoecke

Centennial, middle blocker, senior

An intimidating force at the net, the 6-3 Hoecke took her defensive skills to another level this summer, competing in the U-21 World Championships for Team USA. College: Minnesota

Mesa Jameson

Park of Cottage Grove, sophomore

The Wolfpack suffered huge losses to graduation, but the 6-3 Jameson is a five-star talent who was an AAU All-American for Northern Lights this summer. College: undecided

Izzy Keaveny

Mayer Lutheran, setter, senior

Playing with her twin sister, Keaveny led the Crusaders to the Class 1A championship and surpassed 2,000 career assists. College: St. Cloud State

Madi Kraft

Eagan, defensive specialist/libero, senior

The Wildcats have an opportunity to make a jump in the South Suburban behind Kraft’s leadership and defensive presence. College: Minnesota

Hayden Reeder

Anoka, outside hitter, senior

The Tornadoes could make a third straight trip to state this season behind Reeder, who made 412 kills last season and has the ability to rotate to multiple positions. College: Arizona

Elle Utecht

Lakeville South, outside hitter, junior

One of only eight non-seniors on the 22-player Class 4A all-tournament team last season, Utecht had 17 kills in the state title match against Champlin Park. College: Lipscomb

Kacie Schulte

Maple Grove, outside hitter, junior

Recorded 300 kills last season, but the 5-11 AAU All-American could take on an even bigger leadership role for a talent-laden Crimson crew this year. College: Arizona State

Kaelyn Wittwer

Delano, defensive specialist/libero, senior

Hard to find a defender more relentless than the 5-5 Wittwer, who kept the Tigers in long rallies with her quickness and fearlessness going after every ball. College: undecided