5 Weekly Risers: Standouts on the Move

Julia Adams — 2027 — 1st Alliance Volleyball — PPV 111

Julia Adams continues to build a strong profile both on and off the court. The 2027 athlete from 1st Alliance Volleyball was named to the 2025 AVCA Phenom List, a recognition that highlights players with promising potential at the national level. At the high school level, Adams serves as a Team Captain and earned All-Conference honors, reflecting her impact as both a contributor and a leader for her program. She has also been recognized for her work in the classroom, earning IVCA All-Academic honors, and received All-Area recognition from the Herald News. With a PPV of 111, Adams continues to gain recognition through a combination of leadership, performance, and academic achievement as she progresses through the 2027 class. 

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Catherine Bensler — 2029 — Mississippi Velocity Volleyball Club — PPV 114

Catherine Bensler continues to build a well-rounded résumé through both competition and exposure opportunities. The 2029 athlete from Mississippi Velocity has earned recognition at the school level as the 2025 JV Assist Leader and recipient of the Raider Award and Raider Heart Award, reflecting both performance and leadership within her program. She was also named to the 2025 AVCA Phenom 2029 Watchlist. Her teams have seen strong results in competition as well, including 2025 MAIS JV State Champions and 2025 MAIS Division I Varsity State Runner-Up finishes. On the club and tournament side, Bensler has been part of teams earning a USAV Bid to Nationals (2023), 3rd place at Big South (2024), and 3rd place at MEQ (2025). She also earned Funvintaional MVP honors in 2024, along with program awards such as the Spirit Award. Bensler has actively pursued development and recruiting exposure, attending or scheduling camps with Stanford, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Sunshine High Academic, among others. She also recently recorded an approach touch of 108 and block touch of 100, showing continued physical development. As she continues adding events and camps to her schedule, Bensler’s profile is steadily expanding within the 2029 class.

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Stella Smith — 2029 — Legacy — PPV 190

Stella Smith continues to build an impressive résumé in the 2029 class. Competing with Legacy, she was part of the 2025 AAU National Championship team and also earned 2025 AAU All-American honors, highlighting her ability to contribute in high-level national competition. At the high school level, Smith has already earned several recognitions, including Freshman Player of the Week, All-Conference (OAA Red), All-District, and All-Region honors. Those early accolades reflect both her production and impact against strong competition. She has also received a UA Next Camp Invite and added select camps with Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Florida State, continuing to expand her exposure with major collegiate programs. With a PPV of 190, Smith stands out as a player gaining attention through national success, early high school recognition, and growing recruiting exposure.

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Anela Wailani — 2027 — Libero — Revolution Volleyball Academy — PPV 200

Anela Wailani has announced her verbal commitment to Army West Point, a major milestone that reflects both her volleyball ability and the discipline required to compete at a service academy. The 2027 libero from Revolution Volleyball Academy has built a strong reputation as a dependable back-row defender while maintaining impressive academic standing. At Pinnacle High School, Wailani has earned significant recognition, including Varsity MVP (2025), Defensive Player of the Year (2024), and MVP (2023). She was also named All-District Player of the Year (2025) and All-District Team (2024), along with 1st Team All-Region (AIA 6A Desert Valley) in 2024. Additional honors include Westwood TOC All-Tournament Team (2024) and recognition on the Best of the West Point – Class of 2027 list. Her academic achievements are just as notable. Wailani has been named to the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and the Sports360AZ All-Academic Girls Volleyball Team (6A), highlighting her commitment in the classroom as well as on the court. With a PPV of 200, Wailani’s commitment to Army West Point represents the next step for a player whose defensive consistency, leadership, and academic dedication have helped her earn the opportunity to compete at the Division I level while preparing for a future of service.

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Liv Wender — 2028 — Setter — Legacy — PPV 191

Liv Wender continues to show strong leadership at the setter position for Legacy. At the Sunshine Classic, she helped guide her team to a 3rd place finish out of 48 teams, earning a bid to Nationals in the process — a strong showing in a competitive field. Wender has also earned recognition through inclusion on the JVA Watchlist for the Class of 2028 and the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watchlist, highlighting her presence among notable players in her class. At the high school level, she ranks in the Top 10 All-Time for Single-Season Aces, showcasing her ability to create pressure from the service line. She has gained additional development experience through camps at Rice, Northern Iowa, South Carolina, and Indiana, opportunities that have helped her continue refining her game and gaining exposure to college programs. With a PPV of 191, Wender profiles as a setter capable of managing an offense while contributing in key moments during high-level competition.