Top 25 Long Island girls volleyball players for 2017

Here is a look at 25 girls volleyball players to watch this year (players are listed in alphabetical order):

Daniella Balsano, Connetquot, L/DS, Senior: One of Long Island’s best defensive specialists, Balsano said she is verbally committed to Quinnipiac.

Julia Beckmann, Garden City, OH, Senior: With such a powerful swing, the Harvard commit is a nightmare for defenses. She’s a big weapon on a team hoping to improve.

Erika Benson, Kings Park, MH/MB, Senior: She racked up 103 kills and 1.9 kills per set last season, and both marks could increase this season.

Allie Brady, Smithtown East, OH, Senior: Coming off an ACL injury, she has the potential to be one of Suffolk’s top talents. Her big swing is expected to play a large part into the team’s strategy.

Mia Cergol, Glenn, S, Junior: Emerged as one of Long Island’s best young setters.

Mackenzie Cole, Connetquot, OH/L, Senior: Elite player, a member of the U.S. Youth National Training Team, said she has verbally committed to Duke.

Elizabeth Della Rocca, St. John the Baptist, S, Senior: Her distribution will help keep the offense flowing.

Kathleen Doherty, Massapequa, OH, Senior: Her presence on the outside will be a key factor in Chiefs’ quest for their 18th straight county championship.

Cierra Dolan, Sachem East, MB, Senior: The Flaming Arrows are a team with big aspirations, and Dolan’s experience with the GEVA High Performance Team that won a gold medal this summer makes her a leader.

Madison Gale, Kellenberg, S, Senior: She played right-side hitter last year but will move to setter.

Kemi Green, Baldwin, MB, Senior: Coach Luis Sepulveda said Green can touch 10 feet on her vertical leap and that she’s become a complete player.

Haley Holmes, Kings Park, S, Senior: Opposing coaches have raved about her, putting her in the discussion as one of Suffolk’s top setters. She’s athletic and has stellar court vision.

Molly Jandris, Sachem East, RS, Junior: Healthy now, she stands 6-2 after growing two inches in the offseason.

Nicole Karabaich, St. Anthony’s, OH, Senior: Coach Donna Newman said Karabaich will be relied upon to lead a Friars team hoping to unseat Kellenberg, back-to-back CHSAA champions.

Caroline LaMacchia, South Side, L, Junior: The ability to read the ball and then use her instincts to make the right play are just two reasons why she’s in the conversation as Nassau’s best libero.

Toni Lippolt, Massapequa, L, Senior: A smart passer who controls the ball well, Lippolt is expected to be the backbone of the defense.

Sarah Mangan, Sachem East, MB, Senior: A high jumper with an aggressive swing, Mangan has agreed to play at LIU Post after finishing her senior year.

Nicole Migliozzi, Connetquot, S/RS, Senior: Long Island’s top setter combines great ball placement with the knowledge of when to dump the ball over the net. She’ll attend Quinnipiac.

Olga Muka, Holy Trinity, S, Senior: Muka’s contributions should help the Titans’ title hopes.

Meagan Murphy, Kings Park, L, Senior: A fearless libero, she is willing to dive across the floor to save points for a team hoping to get back to the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year.

Cassandra Patsos, Connetquot, MB/OH, Senior: An Iona commit, Patsos is equally dangerous on the block as she is on the outside.

Grace Rosenberg, Long Beach, S/RS, Junior: She is one of the best juniors on Long Island. She’s a versatile lefty who sets and hits well.

Sam Schroeder, Mineola, OH, Senior: A starter since her freshman year, Schroeder is a sparkplug who brings energy as the co-captain of the Mustangs, who are new this year to Nassau A.

Mackenzie Taylor, Connetquot, OH/L, Senior: The Providence College commit is a libero by trade but plays outside hitter for a deep team. She’s excellent at both positions.

Lauren Wilke, Bayport-Blue Point, S/RS, Senior: Versitle go-to player on team looking to successfully defend its county title.