Player's Poll: Top 24 Players of 2024

The 2024 MLQ season was one of transition. Many veteran stars hung up the cleats, making way for a new generation of top talent to take the reins. The Austin Outlaws and Boston Forge both failed to make the league championship, opening the door for the Chicago Prowl and the New York Titans to compete for their first-ever Benepe Cup, which was eventually won by the Titans in a 2-0 sweep, while the San Antonio Soldados and the Detroit Innovators recorded their best-ever regular season finishes.

While the 2024 MLQ Championship gave us a definitive ranking of how our teams stacked up, we wanted a better idea of how our star players did. And there was no better way to figure that out than to ask them ourselves! Every player from the 2024 MLQ season was given the opportunity to fill out a ballot. These ballots were then tabulated, leaving us with a list of the best 24 players in the league, according to their peers. A special thanks to Darren Bell for circulating the survey and totaling up the results.

We will be releasing the list in three pieces, eight players at a time. Without further ado, here are players No. 24 to No. 17 of the 2024 MLQ season.

24. Bailee Fields, Austin Outlaws

Position: Beater/Chaser
Age: 28
2024 Stats: 11 Games, 7 Goals, 8 Chaser Stops, 1 Beater Stop, 1.39 Average Dodgeballs

“Bailee always brings intensity and a competitive spirit any time she steps on the field. Whether she’s playing beater at the highest level, or chasing (like this past MLQ season), she always finds a way to impact winning for her team. She’s fast, experienced, and wants to win more than anyone else on the field.” - Jackson Johnson, Head Coach, 2024 Austin Outlaws

23. Nojus Ausra, Chicago Prowl

Position: Beater/Seeker
Age: 24
2024 Stats: 15 Games, 20 Beater Stops, +36 Plus/Minus, 1.48 Average Dodgeballs, 4 Catches 

“Nojus's field awareness on offense and defense led us to a higher level of beater-chaser synergy, allowing us to build more complex plays than ever before. Plus, their catches have gotten us out of many tight situations—huge for a team that has historically struggled in the seeking game.” - Kennedy Murphy, Head Coach, 2024 Chicago Prowl

22. Ryan Davis, Charlotte Aviators
Position: Seeker/Chaser
Age: 27
2024 Stats: 9 Games, 11 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Chaser Stops, 2 Catches

“Ryan's meticulous approach to the seeker position and willingness to consistently workshop new approaches to [Flag Runner-on-Pitch] is something I have not seen in my many years around the sport - it is no surprise to me that they are as successful as they are. As a coach, it is also nice to go into most games with a 30-point handicap.” - Kody LaBauve, Head Coach, 2024 Charlotte Aviators

21. Peter Lawrence, Boston Forge

Position: Chaser
Age: 26
2024 Stats: 13 Games, 29 goals, 15 assists, 14 Chaser Stops

“Peter is a dominant two-way player. They controlled our offense with commanding drives and created an iron wall for the Forge defensively.” - Harry Greenhouse, Head Coach, 2024 Boston Forge

20. Milena Sousa, San Antonio Soldados

Position: Beater/Chaser

Age: 22
2024 Stats: 16 Games, 14 Beater Stops, +29 Plus/Minus, 1.46 Average Dodgeballs

“Milena is the definition of adaptable. Given any situation she will find a way to fit the play style and keep her high level abilities in that transition. She communicates constantly and has truly been a huge voice for the Soldados. Her communication ensures not only her success but the entirety of the team.” - David Avila, Co-Head Coach, 2024 San Antonio Soldados

19. Kieran Collier, Boston Forge

Position: Beater
Age: 30
2024 Stats: 16 Games, 16 Beater Stops, +47 Plus/Minus, 1.71 Average Dodgeballs

“Kieran is a true stabilizer: shutting down every elite beater in their path. It’s exciting to watch them fly around the field making key, consistent beats and forcing endless turnovers.” - Harry Greenhouse, Head Coach, 2024 Boston Forge

18. Tate Kay, New York Titans

Position: Beater

Age: 26
2024 Stats: 15 Games, 8 Beater Stops, +31 Plus/Minus, 1.56 Average Dodgeballs

“Tate is an excellent and driven coach, teammate, and player. His constant pursuit of greatness infuses into those around him.” - Tessa Mullins, Assistant Coach, 2024 New York Titans

17. Ryan Mehio, Kansas City Stampede

Position: Keeper/Chaser
Age: 22
2024 Stats: 18 Games, 56 goals, 27 assists, 31 Chaser Stops

“Ryan Mehio is a player that every coach wants on their team. He is not only an offensive powerhouse, but also one of the most dependable athletes I have ever had the pleasure of being on a team with. He goes out of his way on and off the field to see his teammates succeed as well as pushing them to do their best. I knew if we needed a goal and Mehio was on the field, he would make it happen, either by scoring himself or with a well positioned pass to a teammate. Exemplified by him leading the league, with Jon Jackson, in assists at MLQ Championship. During the 2024 KC season, Ryan was a huge part of our success and I suspect he will continue to do so on any team he is a part of.” - Lauren Curry, Assistant Coach, 2024 Kansas City Stampede