The New Wave of the Big XII: Frosh Who Could Make An Impact for Each Team

With only 29 days until the first serve of the 2025 season, let’s take a look at some fresh(man) faces that will be hitting the court in this series, “The New Wave!” 

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Although we haven’t seen these athletes take center stage yet, the impact that they can make is astronomical! Take 2023 when Olivia Babcock and Harper Murray led their teams to Final Four appearances, and this past year with Izzy Starck helping her team to its first national championship in 10 years! Experience in the college game is obviously a huge benefit, but sometimes raw talent is just too hard to deny!

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In this article, we will dive into the Big 12’s newest difference-makers!

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Arizona State - #4, Ella Lewis, Outside/Libero, Final PPV 160

Houston Skyline alum Lewis brings a fiery arm to a scrappy squad that is set to continue rising!

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Kansas - #25, Logan Bell, Outside, Final PPV 253

A Gatorade Player of the Year and USA U19 stud, Bell followed Coach Ulmer to Lawrence and will look to make her mark early!

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Utah - #16, Devyn Wiest, Outside, Final PPV 210

Another U19 athlete, Wiest, contributed to Team USA’s second place finish at the World Championships and will hope to leapfrog the Utes back to the top of the table!

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Baylor - #2, Bailey Warren, Outside, Final PPV 226

Daughter of two-time Super Bowl Champion Ty Warren, success is in the bloodline, and Baylor will manifest a similar destiny!

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TCU - #12, Samara Coleman, Outside, Final PPV 215

After decommitting from Pitt, this feisty competitor will look to fill the shoes of superstar Melanie Parra and the production lost with her graduation!

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BYU - #25, Suli Davis, Outside, Final PPV 284

The UA All-American match MVP in January, Davis continued her success at the U19 World Championships and will without a doubt be a go-to option for the Cougs come next month!

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Arizona - #2, Renee Jones, Right Side, Final PPV 174

An ACVA Phenom, Jones towers above her competition, standing tall at 6 feet 5, and will look to translate her frame into her game at the collegiate level!

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Kansas State - #1, Caleigh Ponn, Libero/DS, Final PPV 219

Acknowledged as the best volleyball player in the state of Virginia this past season, Ponn’s talents are sure to make K-State fans excited for the future!

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Houston - #3, Aubrey Sears, Outside, Final PPV 212

Sears is an extremely crafty pin who knows when to lob a ball to the back corner or hammer it home; Head Coach David Rehr will look to utilize that skill in Big 12 play!

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Colorado - #1, Olivia Grenadier, Middle, Final PPV 210

Leading her team to an AAU Championship in 2023 and attending USA NTDP three times, this versatile attacker has all the tools to be a force for the next four years!

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Texas Tech - #12, Kalli Jioshvili Ravva, Outside 

Hailing from France, Ravva is a member of the France U20 National Team and is a three-time champion - twice on the beach, once indoors! If her accolades are any indication, Texas Tech has got a star on their hands!

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Cincinnati - #6, Fallyn Blotzer, Outside, Final PPV 225

Regarded as the cream of the crop when it comes to Class of 2025 volleyball players in California, Blotzer is a name that many already know, but by this fall, I am sure many more will recognize!

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Iowa State - #9, Mesaiya Bettis, Outside, Final PPV 228

Posting 42 kills in a single match last year, it can be understood that Bettis is a terminator! With her whip of an arm swing, she will look to power the Cyclones past tough competition this season!

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UCF - #2, Sarah Mendoza, Libero/DS, Final PPV 105

A former TAV athlete, Mendoza regularly played against some of the nation’s best and more than held her own! Her scrappy style of play is sure to translate, and the Knights will be grateful for it!

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West Virginia - #2, Anna Barr, Right Side, Final PPV 147

Last but not least, this thunderous right side knows how to put the ball down! Watching her play, it is surprising that she didn’t garner even more attention, and West Virginia got a steal with this one!

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