VNL 2025 Roster Predictions

Can national team season come any sooner?

With the pro club season in full swing, it’s only natural to look ahead at who might make an impact at the national team level. The USA women’s national team will face many questions in 2025, with new coaches, a new system, and a lot of new faces.

Erik Sullivan will take over the national team in his first head coaching role, and expectations will be high as the USA comes off another Olympic medal (silver) last summer. The 2025 VNL will be his first opportunity to showcase his team and system to fans and opponents. His first task will be curating the 30-player VNL wide roster—the group of players he is allowed to select from for the tournament. This selection will be crucial as he determines what he wants from his team and system in preparation for his first major tournament, the 2025 World Championship, which will take place in late August.

Each year, teams are allowed to name 30 players to the wide roster for the VNL. Teams have the flexibility to choose whoever they want and determine how many players they will include at each position. I will base this list on what the USA has traditionally done, which includes five setters, five opposites, eight outside hitters, eight middle blockers, and four liberos (though this can and likely will change).

(Note: only official retirements have been noted)

Setters

Key Retirements: Lauren Carlini

Key Returners: Jordyn Poulter, Micha Hancock

It was rare in the last quad to see new faces in the setter group (with just Ashley Evans), but the LA quad seems poised to break that trend. Poulter and Hancock will both return, but it seems likely that Sullivan will expand the group to include new talent.

Kami Miner and Rachel Fairbanks should be at the top of that list. Fairbanks has exceeded every expectation so far in LOVB, while Miner did an excellent job in the NORCECA tournament last fall, where she earned "Best Setter." Jenna Gray’s experience will likely earn her a spot on the wide roster.

Predictions: Jordyn Poulter, Micha Hancock, Jenna Gray, Kami Miner, Rachel Fairbanks

On the Radar: SKT, Jenna Ewert, Ashley Evans, Ella May Powell

Opposites

Key Retirements: Annie Drews-Schumacher

Key Returners: Jordan Thompson

If there’s one constant about the WNT, it’s that there are always questions about the opposite position. This will continue into 2025 with the retirement of Annie Drews, the starter in the last two Olympic finals. Drews and Thompson controlled the two opposite positions for most tournaments post-2019 (minus the 2022 WCH, when Thompson had a concussion).

There isn’t a clear-cut answer to replace Drews. I think Sullivan will give Madi Skinner as much experience as possible in that position. If I had it my way, I would explore moving Logan Eggleston back to opposite and prioritize giving her reps in the gym, along with Olivia Babcock and Kennedy Martin, who are the most natural opposites in the group.

Overseas, Stephanie Samedy, Taylor Bannister, and Morgahn Fingall are all having great seasons. Tessa Grubbs is probably the best LOVB opposite at the moment. Kendall Kipp has struggled with injury all season, while Taylor Mims has struggled to find consistency in Italy.

Prediction: Jordan Thompson, Madi Skinner, Stephanie Samedy, Taylor Bannister, Olivia Babcock

On the Radar: Tessa Grubbs, Skylar Fields, Kennedy Martin, Taylor Mims, Kendall Kipp, Reagan Rutherford

Outside Hitters

Key Retirements: Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson, Sarah Parsons

Key Returners: Kathryn Plummer, Avery Skinner, Khalia Lanier

The outside hitter group might experience the most seismic shift, with the ball control of Larson and Robinson departing. Kiraly found success with the “power” hitter duo of Plummer-Skinner at the Olympics, but there’s no doubt that the security provided by Larson and Robinson’s ball control will be missed. I imagine Sullivan will lean into that aspect—prioritizing firepower over ball control—since, well, Texas has never been known for its ball control. I expect Plummer and Skinner to be the main outside hitter duo this summer, barring any injuries. Avery is having a great club season with Chieri and looks primed to reach the next level. Lanier will provide a strong alternative (or even a starting option) after a successful season so far with Conegliano.

I do not expect Ali Frantti or Kara Bajema to return to the national team program. However, I could see Simone Lee, who is having a very good season in Italy, making a case. Elsewhere, I expect debuts from Sarah Franklin and Jess Mruzik. I anticipate Eggleston will continue as an outside hitter (even though I don’t think she’s ready to pass at the NT level). Beyond that, there are many questions. Sullivan could opt for some ball control players, such as Brooke Nuneviller or Jaali Winters, or go with younger options like Eva Hudson or Brooklyn DeLeye. Roni Jones-Perry has also been in and out of rosters, so she remains a possibility.

Prediction: Kathryn Plummer, Avery Skinner, Khalia Lanier, Logan Eggleston, Sarah Franklin, Jess Mruzik, Brooke Nuneviller, Roni Jones-Perry

On the Radar: Jaali Winters, Eva Hudson, Leah Edmond, Reagan Cooper, Simone Lee, Lindsey Ruddins

Middle Blockers

Key Retirements: n/a

Key Returners: Chiaka Ogbogu, Haleigh Washington, Dana Rettke

Barring any surprises, the middle group is set to have the least movement. Washington has hinted at a break, which might be expected after two Olympic cycles in the past four years. Ogbogu and Rettke are more than capable of leading the middle group themselves. Last year’s VNL group included Brionne Butler, Asjia O’Neal, Kayla Haneline, Anna Hall, and Serena Gray. I expect Butler and O’Neal to keep their places (even if O’Neal isn’t really playing in LOVB for whatever reason). I think there will be competition for the remaining three to four spots. Tia Jimerson and Amber Igiede have both been great in LOVB. Emily Thater is a player who intrigues me as well. Anna Dodson has had a brilliant pro debut in Italy. Annayka Legros is a high-scoring, dark horse option currently playing in the French league. In a perfect world, Andi Jackson and Sophie Fischer would also be involved.

Predictions: Chiaka Ogbogu, Dana Rettke, Brionne Butler, Asjia O’Neal, Tia Jimerson, Amber Igiede, Anna Hall, Haleigh Washington

On the Radar: Serena Gray, Andi Jackson, Annayka Legros, Emily Thater, Khori Louis

Liberos

Key Retirements: n/a

Key Returners: Justine Wong-Orantes

Erik Sullivan would enjoy nothing more than to secure a four-year LA2028 commitment from Wong-Orantes. One of the best liberos in Paris (and the best in Tokyo), Justine would provide much-needed stability to the NT’s currently thin passing line. Morgan Hentz should also return, perhaps eager to shed her deputy title. I imagine Zoe Fleck-Jarvis will be involved as well. I would expect Lexi Rodriguez to take the fourth and final spot on the wide roster. There may be a chance for Elena Scott to be involved, but it seems unlikely as long as she remains behind Kylie Murr in Indy.

Predictions: Justine Wong-Orantes, Morgan Hentz, Zoe Fleck, Lexi Rodriguez

On the Radar: Elena Scott