The Class of 2023 Senior Aces awards are finally here, and today we reveal the first part of our selections the top 100 student-athletes of the Class of 2023, the defenders.

As a reminder, this award considers a wholistic approach to multiple aspects of a candidate’s high school resume, with elements such as state titles, All-American selections, USAV Program participation, and club achievements, just to name a few items being among considered criteria. We've also included some players that opted to graduate semester early to join the respective collegiate programs, but still qualified for the list.

Compiling the list has been challenging to say the least for us, however, the hardest thing about determining the top 100 was that only 100 players could be on it. Over the years, this list has gone through many changes, but one thing remains true. Not everyone can be a Senior Ace. Many of our favorite players and many parents' favorite players, will not make the Senior Aces. However, please understand that the list was generated with no personal agenda or motivation other than to create the most accurate Senior Aces group possible. It holds no baring on one's personal worth.

Even if your name does not appear eventually among the Senior Aces, it does not mean that you are not recognized as a talented and valuable player. Please understand that the only thing this says about you is that there are many more than 100 amazing players in your class. Our wish is that every player continuing to play the game has a happy and productive college career.

Without further ado, we present the defenders of the Class of 2023 Senior Aces.