Top 5 returning middles for the 2025 women's volleyball season

We have just five days until the start of the 2025 college volleyball season. To get us all ready for the first serve, I will be counting down the days with my top five returning players at every position. 

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I will kick things off with my top five returning middle blockers this season, and let me tell you — this was a hard one. 

1. Andi Jackson, Nebraska

I think Andi Jackson is arguably the best middle coming back this season and is one of my front-runners for National Player of the Year. Extremely offensive and dangerous off the slide, she's got the highest numbers offensively on the list with over 3.2 points per set, 2.62 kills per set - all while hitting .439 last season. That is so impressive. Over 1.1 blocks per set, too, and this year could be even better.

Absolutely, Ms. Jackson 🙂‍↕️ x

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB)

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2. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Texas A&M

Ifenna Cos-Okpalla is the only other player on this list to have over two kills per set last season. She did it while hitting .374, averaging over 1.45 blocks per set, and had a good block touch almost 52 percent of the time. 

3. Bre Kelley, Pitt

Listen to this stat, Kelley hit .497 last season for Pitt. That feels illegal. Quite literally off the charts, especially when averaging 1.88 kills per set. She is a fierce competitor as well and just a wall at the net with 1.5 blocks per set. I hope this year she will get set even more. I could see her being dominant in 2025. 

Breezy doing Breezy things 🤯

📺 BTN

— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB)

4. Cara Cresse, Louisville

Cara Cresse is another middle with ample experience to bring back this season. Cresse recorded six-plus blocks in 18 different matches. Her 1.5 blocks per set is tied with Bre Kelly and ranked 7th nationally last season. Not to mention, she hit over .320.

5. Carter Booth, Wisconsin

For the last player making the top five, I am going with Carter Booth at Wisconsin. I may have some pushback as Booth’s stats certainly took a little dip last season, but you have to take into consideration a first-year setter in that equation. The year before, we are talking unreal numbers and top five in the NCAA in most categories. I don't think there is any denying Booth's talent. She's got a dominating presence at the net and can be really offensive when in system. I think she is primed to have an unreal season for Wisconsin this year.

BANG! Badger block! 💥

📺: ESPN2

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB)

My other players in consideration or honorable mentions were Bekah Allick, Brooke Bultema and Jaela Auguste.

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