SA’s top 30 young gun volleyballers of 2023 ranked
SA volleyball is packed with star young talent so we’ve ranked the top young guns of 2023. From emerging players to Australia representatives here are our top players aged 21 and under in the state.
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SA volleyball has had another big year in 2023, with a number of star players dominating for their clubs, the state and representing Australia on the international stage.
There is no shortage of young SA talent in the sport, with a number of up and coming young guns announcing themselves as superstars of the future.
With the help of Volleyball SA, we’ve ranked the top 30 SA volleyball young guns of 2023.
From local stars to players who have already represented the country, here are our rankings from no. 30 to 1.
30. AIDAN KELLY
(USC LION)
Age: 19
An important part of the SA U19 side at nationals this year, Kelly remains a young star for USC Lion and the state.
Kelly is a fast and skilled player who sets up attacks, has strong defensive ability and often keeps points alive for his teams.
Was voted the most improved men’s player at the 2023 Volleyball SA awards.
29. TOBY ERIKSSON
(Austral Phoenix)
Age: 16
One of the most skilled young players at Austral Phoenix, Eriksson is one of the fast-rising stars of SA volleyball and will be an important player for his club and SA’s senior sides moving forward.
Eriksson represented SA’s U17 boys team in the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships, the only Austral Phoenix player in the side.
28. TIEGAN BENNETT
(USC Lion)
Age: 14
A gifted all-round player for USC and SA, Bennett can produce a high level of volleyball in both beach and indoor variations.
Representing SA at U15s level in the nationals for both beach and indoor volleyball and also dominating for USC Lion throughout the club season, Bennett has emerged as one of SA’s top young talents.
27. COOPER STRACHAN
(USC Lion)
Age: 16
A key part of SA’s U17 men’s side in the Australian Youth Championships, Strachan has developed his game in 2023 for both USC Lion and the state.
A tall, skilled and athletic player who has performed on the national stage, Strachan often plays important roles for his teams and can either set up or block attacks.
26. AVA GABORIT
(USC Lion)
Age: 14
At age 14, SA volleyball fans should be excited about what Gaborit can bring to the table.
The Australian Youth Volleyball Championships MVP for the SA U15 Girls, Gaborit’s ability to take over a game makes her one of the most promising young players in the state.
She was also named in the Australian U16s girl’s side for the Asian Volleyball Confederation championships.
25. JORGIA LLOYDE
(Norwood Bears)
Age: 17
A regular in SA’s national championships teams, Lloyde played an important role for the U18 women’s side in the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships.
A versatile player who has great touch, Lloyde should be one to watch in coming seasons for her club and the state.
24. ZAC YORKSTON
(Norwood Bears)
Age: 18
An up and coming beach volleyball star who has represented SA multiple times.
Yorkston is an assured player with the ability to take control of a game in multiple ways and boasts consistent defensive skills.
23. ASHTYON KAY
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
One of the four competitors who represented SA in the U18 men’s level of the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships.
A skilled server who remains an offensive weapon for his club and the state, Kay should be an important asset in SA volleyball for years to come.
22. TOM MACLEOD
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
MacLeod has been one of USC Lion’s most promising players in recent years and has taken his beach volleyball performance to another level throughout 2023.
The 17-year-old was one of the four players who represented the SA U18 men’s team at the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships, impressing with his athleticism.
21. ELLA BOURKE
(USC Lion)
Age: 16
A star beach volleyballer who can also perform at a high level indoor, Bourke showed major improvement in season 2023.
Bourke was a standout in her partnership with Zephyr Brus in the SA Beach Volleyball Series, taking out the U19 women’s championship.
20. COOPER BEVAN
(Mt Lofty)
Age: 16
A captain of South Australia in season 2023, Bevan announced himself as an exciting up and coming talent in the sport.
Bevan showed strong leadership qualities in club, state and national competitions during the year.
His performances at the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships were so impressive that he won Volleyball SA MVP for the U17 boys.
19. BEN ADAMS
(USC Lion)
Age: 16
Adams is another player who has come through the USC Lion program and will be one to watch in coming seasons.
Playing alongside some of the state’s top U17 boys, Adams impressed at the Australian Youth Championships.
A versatile and athletic player, he will be one to keep an eye on next season.
18. COHEN TAYLOR
(USC Lion)
Age: 16
Another Australian Youth Championships volleyballer, Taylor has been a key piece for both USC Lion and South Australia.
Taylor played a number of roles for his club throughout the year and was a consistent contributor for SA’s U17s at the national championships.
17. LUKE HUDDLESTON
(Norwood Bears)
Age: 17
One of the fastest-rising volleyballer talents in the state, Huddleston had an exceptional 2023.
Huddleston most recently represented SA in the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships, choosing to play at the U18 level instead of U17 to extend and further his skills.
The youngest member of his side, he played as the setter and helped the team to a bronze medal at the championships.
16. KAIJA O’NEILL
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
Another USC Lion star, O’Neill has seen great improvement on the court for SA and her club this year.
A talented volleyballer who can play at her best in the beach or indoor variations, O’Neill played in the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships and in multiple beach tournaments for the state throughout the season.
15. OLIVIA ZAJER
(USC Lion)
Age: 19
Zajer’s skill and versatility has made her one of the fastest rising stars of the SA volleyball scene.
Also a representative of the Adelaide Storm, Zajer has been a consistent contributor for club and state over a number of years and will be one to watch throughout 2024.
14. JAY TROWBRIDGE
(Mt Lofty)
Age: 17
A competitor in this year’s Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships, Mt Lofty star Trowbridge put his name on the map throughout 2023.
A dominant player for his club as well, Trowbridge was named the State League Junior men’s Best and Fairest.
13. BROOKE LANGBEIN
(Mt Lofty)
Age: 17
Often a captain for SA, Langbein has emerged as one of the state’s top young volleyball talents.
A versatile asset who can impact a game in a number of ways, the Mt Lofty star has had success for both club and her state and was named the State League Junior Best and Fairest.
12. LANA HOLLWAY
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
A consistent member of SA women’s sides and the Adelaide Storm, star USC Lion young gun Hollway had a strong 2023 season.
Hollway is a strong mid-courter who provides excellent touch and can also play a blocking role if needed.
Was also a competitor for Australia in the U18 Asian Volleyball Confederation U18 women’s championships in 2022.
11. MILLON JONES
(USC Lion)
Age: 20
A member of SA’s junior state team this year and a competitor at men’s nationals, Jones has been a standout in SA volleyball.
Jones impressed during his appearances on the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour and was also a captain at USC Lion in 2023, producing quality minutes for the men’s and youth sides.
10. RORY HART
(Austral Phoenix)
Age: 20
Forming a strong partnerships with Millon Jones and Aidan Kelly on the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour, Hart proved he could perform at a high level on one of the sport’s biggest stages in the country.
A versatile player who is a consistent all-round threat, Hart is one of the top ranked young beach volleyballers in South Australia.
9. GEORGIE VANLOO
(USC Lion)
Age: 18
Vanloo has impressed for SA and USC Lion throughout 2023.
One of the top seeded juniors in the country, Vanloo can play a number of roles across the court for SA and her club.
Was one of the standouts on the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Tour.
8. CHELSEA DURBRIDGE
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
A consistent young gun for USC Lion and SA, Durbridge has continued her upward trajectory in the sport.
Durbridge remained a versatile and dangerous asset for her club in season 2023 and was also a key player for SA in the 2023 Australian Youth Volleyball Championships.
7. CHARLIE DISBURY
(Austral Phoenix)
Age: 18
An Austral Phoenix SAVL star who has also represented the Adelaide Storm, Disbury has been an emerging star in SA volleyball throughout the year.
Disbury plays as a middle and blocker, often providing an imposing defensive presence for his teams.
Will be one to watch on the national stage again next season.
6. HANNAH MCLEAN-WRIGHT
(Norwood Bears)
Age: 18
Ranked as the number one SA volleyball junior in 2022, McLean-Wright has continued her development with Norwood and SA in 2023.
A skilled and versatile player, McLean-Wright played an important role for Norwood’s women’s SAVL side and also represented SA throughout the season.
5. FINLEY BENNETT
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
A star attacker, Bennett has experienced a number of major successes in the past year.
An athletic and dangerous player for USC Lion, Bennett was named the 2023 SAVL men’s rising star and also led his club to the U19 championship.
Bennett has also represented SA in a number of tournaments and will be one to watch on the national and international stage in the near future.
4. CAMERON ZAJER
(USC Lion)
Age: 17
Zajer helped USC Lion to a silver finish in the League Women’s 2023 SAVL competition but this wasn’t all the rising star achieved.
A fluid athlete who is adaptable on the court, Zajer also secured a silver medal with Australia at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games and was a gold medallist at the U18 Girls Australian Youth Volleyball Championships and the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships.
Was also the winner of the Emerging Athlete of the Year at the 2023 SA Sports Awards and the Individual Secondary category of The Advertiser, Sunday Mail and Department for Education SA School Sports Awards.
3. LELANI BURNELL
(Henley Hawks)
Age: 18
A fast-rising prospect in SA volleyball, Henley’s Lelani Burnell has emerged as one of the state’s top young stars.
A cerebral player who plays above the net, Burnell was part of the Beach Pro Tour Futures in Geelong and Coolangatta and the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour in Geelong and the Gold Coast.
2. RUBY VANLOO
(Henley Hawks)
Age: 20
An SA Volleyball League premiership winner with the Henley Hawks for a second straight season, Vanloo has been one of the state’s best young players this year.
The 20-year-old is highly competitive and a fluid mover and high flyer on the court.
Vanloo competed in a number of tours throughout the year including the Beach Pro Tour Futures event in Geelong, the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour in Geelong and the Gold Coast Australia Beach Volleyball Tour.
1. D’ARTAGNAN POTTS
(Mt Lofty)
Age: 20
A dynamic athlete with high potential and a problem solver on the court, Potts has been a star in 2023.
The versatile 20-year-old Mt Lofty player competed in the U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships, the U21 Beach Volleyball Asian Championships and the 2023 Pacific Games.
He was also part of the Beach Pro Tour Futures tournaments and has represented SA in both indoor and beach throughout his career.
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