During the 2016 season, we saw freshmen make a massive impact on its outcome. That impact begins, of course, with Stanford's four freshman starters but also includes BYU libero Mary Lake, Washington middle Kara Bajema, outside hitters Molly Haggerty of Wisconsin, Alexis Hart of Minnesota, and Leah Edmond of Kentucky, just to name a few.

Who will be 2017's most impactful freshmen? We're betting on these five rock stars.

5. Paige Hammons, Florida

The OH2 spot, opposite Carli Snyder, was a point of weakness for the 2016 Gators -- enter top-ranked recruit Paige Hammons from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. Hammons will be ready to terminate at the next level and will leave Florida head coach Mary Wise to worry about who will fill the hole left by All-American opposite Alex Holston's graduation.

4. Ashley Shook, Texas

Texas is poised to be one of the best teams in the country next year. Perhaps the only question mark is how the Longhorns will handle transitioning to a new setter. One of the top setters in her high school class, Ashley Shook seems the most likely candidate for the job. She'll be dishing the ball out to some of the most explosive hitters in the country, and it will be up to her to make sure they reach their potential.

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3. Stephanie Samedy, Minnesota

Gatorade Player of the Year candidate Stephanie Samedy recently earned the Team East MVP award at the Under Armour All-America match. The opposite hitter will have to immediately help Minnesota replace graduated hitters Paige and Hannah Tapp, and Samedy seems more than ready to do so.

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2. Sydney Hilley, Wisconsin

If it weren't for incoming freshman Sydney Hilley, Wisconsin might be absolutely bereft at setter after the graduation of four-year starter Lauren Carlini. Hilley is the top-ranked setter in her class and should be ready to quarterback the Badgers offense come fall. Signing a top setter gave Wisconsin's program a boost four years ago--could Hilley be Carlini 2.0?

1. Lexi Sun, Texas

Texas is known for hard-hitting pin hitters, and it seems like every time the Longhorns graduate one of their starters, they simply reload with a new hammer. For the 2017 season, that newcomer will be Lexi Sun of Encinitas, California. Sun led the USA U18 team to a silver medal in 2015, and this fall she carried her team to the CIF Open Division State Championship semifinals.