Battle of the Regions: Lonestar vs Cali/Isles

2028 CLASS

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Setter Battle

Taimane Ainu'u | Ka Ulukoa | Cali/Isles   VS    Sydney Whisenton | Alamo | Lonestar

The Hawaiian phenom has made a strong case to be considered the top setter in the 2028 class, and it’s hard to argue against it. Taimane Ainu’u is the type of setter who can completely change the direction of a program with her ability to control tempo, elevate hitters, and lead an offense at a high level. While her college destination is still unknown, there is little doubt that major programs are heavily involved in her recruitment. She is a true diamond-level setter and one of the most impactful players in the country regardless of position.

Whisenton is one of those players who is just really fun to watch every time she’s on the court. She’s put up phenomenal stats and consistently finds ways to impact matches from the setter position. While she is undersized compared to traditional setters at the next level, she makes up for it with production, energy, and competitiveness. She projects as a key piece for whichever program ultimately lands her because of how much she elevates the players around her. 

Thoughts: This is a strong contrast in setter profiles. Ainu’u stands out as a true program-changing setter with elite control and high-end ceiling that separates her in this matchup. Whisenton is still a very talented and productive setter who competes well and will absolutely be part of next-level conversations based on her ability alone. However, when stacked directly, Cali/Isles holds the clear edge at the position in terms of overall impact and projection.

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Outside Battle

Janiah Burrage | Forza 1 | Cali/Isles    VS    Maya Ogbogu | TAV | Lonestar

Burrage is firmly in the upper tier of conversation when it comes to the 2028 outside hitters. She brings elite physical upside with a 10’8” approach touch and consistently shows the kind of athleticism that separates her from most at the position. There are still areas of her game continuing to develop, but the tools are already at a very high level and translate into real impact at the net. She’s no doubt one of the names that will only continue to rise as this class takes shape nationally.

There’s not much to say about Maya Ogbogu that hasn’t already been said at this point. She is that player that many in the 2028 class already circle as a true household name, and her game backs up every bit of the attention she receives. At this point, the bigger storyline with her isn’t what kind of player she is, but where she will ultimately land once recruiting opens up and the June 15th conversations begin. She is firmly one of the most highly anticipated names in the class, and like many, we're excited to see where she ends up. 

Thoughts: We’d argue this one is closer than some might think at first glance. Both are high-impact outsides, ultimately Maya gets the edge because of how complete her overall game is right now and her ability to produce in all phases. Janiah’s ceiling is obviously huge and the physical tools are real, but the passing side is where there’s a bit more separation at this point. Still, depending on where each player ends up and how their games continue to grow, this is a matchup that could look even closer down the line. For now, this one goes to The Lonestar. 

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Libero Battle

Audrianna Granatelli | Sports Academy | Cali/Isles    VS   Bella Osborn | Madfrog | Lonestar

Granatelli has one of the cleaner platforms in the 2028 class, especially when it comes to controlling pace and directing first contact. She clearly stands out in Cali/Isles as one of the more reliable and consistent liberos in the region. She’s steady in serve receive and does a strong job staying composed through long rallies. Her motor stays high, and she consistently keeps her team in system with playable balls even under pressure.

Osborn is a true libero in every sense of the position. She plays with real intensity and keeps her platform disciplined and away from her body, which allows her to handle pace cleanly in serve receive. Despite not having the height of some of the longer athletes in the class, she covers a ton of ground and does it efficiently, without wasted movement. She moves efficiently and doesn’t waste steps, which separates her from even some of the top-rated liberos who still get caught ‘doing too much’ at times. She’s one of our favorites in the entire 2028 class because of how consistently she impacts the game defensively.

Thoughts: This is a strong back-row matchup with two very composed liberos who impact the game in different ways. Granatelli stands out for Cali/Isles with one of the cleaner platforms in the 2028 class and a steady, controlled presence in serve receive. Osborn counters for Lonestar with elite efficiency and court coverage, consistently staying composed without overextending. Both are very reliable defenders, but Lonestar gets the edge here due to Osborn’s consistency in covering space and long term projection as a top prospect in the class.

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Opposite Battle

Megan Hodges | Tstreet | Cali/Isles    VS   Sarah Floyd | TAV | Lonestar

We just watched Megan Hodges again at NTDP, and she was a clear standout in the gym. She continues to establish herself as one of the top players in the 2028 class with her combination of size, skill, and versatility. At 6’5”, she’s extremely efficient whether she’s playing on the right side or sliding into the middle, and she doesn’t waste much offensively once she’s in system. Hodges is not only our top-ranked OPP in the 2028 class, but also one of our highest-rated overall players in the entire group.

Sarah Floyd is a powerhouse lefty who continues to stand out every time she steps on the court for TAV. She brings real physicality to the pin and plays with the kind of pace and aggressiveness that immediately puts pressure on defenses. Whether she’s on the right side or outside, she has the ability to terminate consistently and change momentum quickly. Floyd continues to look like one of the more dangerous offensive weapons coming out of the Lonestar region.

Thoughts: This is another really close matchup between two players who both looked excellent at NTDP. Hodges and Floyd were both playing high-level volleyball and consistently stood out among a loaded group of talent. Floyd brings major power and physicality to the Lonestar side, while Hodges impacts the game with her versatility and efficiency at multiple front-row positions. Depending on the day, this one could absolutely swing either direction, but we’re giving the slight edge here to Cali/Isles behind Megan Hodges.

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Middle Battle

Sasha Slaughter | Absolute | Cali/Isles  VS  Gracie White | Dallas Skyline | Lonestar

Slaughter has continued to rise in conversations around the middle blocker position in the 2028 class. She’s steadily built momentum over the last year and has clearly started catching the attention of more college programs along the way. Between strong performances and consistent camp attendance, her name continues to show up more and more in recruiting discussions. She’s developing into one of the more intriguing middle prospects coming out of the Cali/Isles region.

White is a player whose upside really stands out when you watch her compete. She gets off the floor quickly, attacks with a fast arm, and already shows the kind of physical tools that translate well at the next level. Her work ethic has never really been a question, and you can see it in the way she continues developing as both an attacker and blocker. She’s coming off a really strong season and continues to look like one of the more promising middles in the Lonestar region.

Thoughts: This matchup feels like upside versus momentum in a lot of ways. Slaughter has continued building real recruiting attention within Cali/Isles and looks like a middle whose stock is continuing to rise, especially with the amount of exposure she’s getting through camps and events. White counters with really intriguing physical upside, quickness off the floor, and a strong overall trajectory after a great season with Dallas Skyline. This one is close, but we’re giving the slight edge to Lonestar here with Gracie White.

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2029 Quick Breakdowns

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Setters 

Brooke Proctor (Cali/Isles) vs Alexa Koonsen (Lonestar)

Proctor continues to stand out as a true game-changer on the court with the ability to impact matches both as a setter and offensive threat. She plays with confidence, delivers hittable balls consistently, and gives Cali/Isles a really dynamic presence at the position. Koonsen brings a very similar versatility to the Lonestar side and is another fun young setter/right-side who impacts the game in multiple ways. This one feels extremely even overall, and we’re calling it too close to pick right now.

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Outsides 

Baylee Wilson (Cali/Isles) vs Peyton Smith (Lonestar)

Wilson continues to impress with how advanced her offensive decision-making already looks at a young age. Instead of just swinging hard every touch, she’s learning how to place the ball, use the block, and score in different ways, which really stands out for a 2029 prospect. Smith counters with elite athleticism, a fast arm, and the kind of terminal attack that immediately jumps out when watching her compete. This is another matchup we really can’t call right now, both players are young prospects with very high upside and the potential to become major national names as they continue developing.

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Liberos

Cadence Talaga (Cali/Isles) vs Brynli Burgess (Lonestar)

Talaga is a strong communicator on the back row who brings natural leadership qualities that stand out in her role. She reads the ball well, stays composed in serve receive, and shows a high level of court IQ for her age. Burgess, meanwhile, is already generating real recruiting buzz out of Dallas Skyline and backs it up with consistent, high-level production. This is a matchup between two young liberos with different levels of current polish, and while Burgess may have a slight edge right now due to how advanced her game is, it says more about her development curve than any real gap in Talaga’s overall potential.

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Opposites

Isabella Brown (Cali/Isles) vs Soleil Rhodes (Lonestar)

Brown is a quick, efficient right side who does a good job of ending points early when she gets a clean look. She’s also shown noticeable growth defensively this season, continuing to round out her game as she develops. On the other hand, Rhodes brings an explosive profile for Lonestar, using her strength and athleticism to consistently stand out as one of the more physically dominant pin players in the 2028 class. This matchup leans toward Rhodes right now due to her sheer impact and power, but both players continue to trend upward in their overall development.

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Middles 

Yemaya Chappell (Cali/Isles) vs Hayley Hobbs (Lonestar)

Chappell is a 6’3” NTDP standout who continues to stack high-level opportunities and select camp experiences, showing why she’s firmly on the national radar in the 2028 class. She brings a strong, athletic presence in the middle with good timing and a developing all-around game. Hobbs matches that profile for Lonestar at 6’3” as well, playing with a well-rounded, intelligent approach that fits the Skyline Juniors system. This is a very even matchup between two athletic, high-IQ middles, with neither side clearly separating at this stage.