Dream Team: The Underclass Group Everyone Will Debate

Setters

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Josalyn Samuels | 2028 | Setter | Kairos Volleyball | PPV 289

Josalyn Samuels is the kind of setter you don’t overthink when assembling a group like this. There’s a clear sense of control when she’s running a team, not because she dominates every touch, but because the offense tends to stay balanced and organized when she is in rhythm. That reliability is a big part of why she fits into this Dream Team build. What stands out watching her is the composure in how she handles pressure. She doesn’t get sped up easily, and even when rallies break down or tempo shifts, she maintains a consistent decision-making process. That steadiness allows hitters around her to stay in better rhythm, which becomes a defining trait in how she impacts matches. From a résumé standpoint, Samuels has consistently produced at a high level. She is a multi-time state champion, holds program records in career, season, and single-match assists, and has earned repeated all-state and all-conference recognition. Those accomplishments reflect sustained responsibility as a primary setter and indicate a player who has long been trusted to direct an offense at a high volume and level of expectation. On the national stage, she has also accumulated significant experience through USA Volleyball development pathways and multiple NTDP-level environments. That exposure is reflected in her decision-making efficiency: she processes the game quickly, prioritizes clean execution, and rarely forces unnecessary plays when the offense is out of system. She earns this spot on the Dream Team because she provides something that is difficult to replicate: structure. In a lineup filled with high-end athleticism and offensive firepower, Samuels is the piece that keeps everything functioning cohesively, which is exactly why she anchors the setter position here.

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Carolyn Maria | 2029 | Setter | Metro Volleyball Club | PPV 244

Carolyn Maria feels like one of those setters you watch once and immediately understand why people are starting to talk about her. There’s a confidence in how she runs an offense that doesn’t feel forced for her age, she plays like someone who already expects to control the match, not just participate in it. What really stands out is how she shows up in big moments. She’s not just collecting awards in routine settings, she elevates in tournament environments where matches tighten and decisions matter more. Whether it’s running her team through a championship run or stepping into high-pressure matches, she tends to look more comfortable as the level rises, not less. Her résumé reflects that same pattern of impact. She’s already been part of a Sunshine Qualifier Championship team, earned MVP honors at the Capitol Hill Classic, and picked up Best Setter recognition in Open-level competition. On the high school side, she’s earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-WCAC honors, along with being named both Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Player: the kind of early recognition that usually comes with a clear leadership role on the floor. What separates her even further is how quickly she’s entered national conversations. Early NTDP exposure has already put her in environments where the pace and precision are noticeably higher, and she hasn’t looked out of place in those settings. That’s usually where setters either tighten up or start to show growth; and with her, it’s been the latter. She earns this spot in the Dream Team because she doesn’t feel like a “future” setter, she already plays with present-day control and presence, while still clearly having room to grow. In a lineup full of proven names, she’s the one who brings emerging command and long-term upside at the position.

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Outside Hitters

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Baylee Wilson | 2029 | Outside Hitter | WAVE Volleyball | PPV 275

Baylee Wilson is the type of outside hitter who earns attention because her game keeps expanding every time you see her. There’s a clear competitive edge to how she plays, but what stands out most is that she isn’t just trying to end every rally with power, she’s learning how to score in different ways and actually create separation against defenses. As her game has developed, there’s been a noticeable shift in how she attacks. She’s still capable of taking big swings, but she’s also starting to mix in smarter shot selection and ball placement, which makes her much harder to read. That progression, from purely aggressive to more controlled and intentional, is a big part of why she fits into this group. Her résumé already reflects success in high-level environments, including championship runs at major national events and MVP recognition at Red Rock Rave. She’s also earned selection and recognition in elite programming, including UA Next involvement and national-level visibility, along with being featured on our national list. What makes her stand out in this Dream Team build is the direction of her trajectory. She’s not a finished product, but she’s clearly moving toward becoming a more complete offensive player. That combination of production, growth, and competitiveness is why she belongs in this lineup.

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Janiah Burrage | 2028 | Outside Hitter | Forza 1 Volleyball | PPV 278

Janiah Burrage is one of the clearest “upside picks” in this entire Dream Team build, and she earns her spot because her ceiling is simply different. When she’s at her best, the physical tools jump off the court immediately; there’s explosiveness in her approach that you don’t coach into players, and it changes how defenses have to set up against her. What makes her stand out in this group is that she already plays like a high-impact athlete, even while parts of her game are still developing. The passing side is an area she continues to refine, but the tradeoff is that she brings a level of raw athletic ability that very few players in the class can match. When she gets into rhythm, she can take over stretches of play in a way that shifts momentum quickly. Her national experience reflects that same trajectory. Multiple USA NTDP U15 and U16 selections show she’s already been identified early as a high-upside prospect within USA Volleyball’s development pipeline. That type of repeated inclusion isn’t about where she is right now: it’s about where evaluators believe she can ultimately go. Burrage earns her place in this Dream Team because she represents the long-term investment side of roster building. She’s not the finished product, but she’s the type of athlete you bet on because of the physical ceiling, growth potential, and ability to impact the game in ways that can’t be taught.

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Middle Blockers

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Jordyn Blair | 2028 | Middle Blocker | Circle City Volleyball | PPV 244

Jordyn Blair is the type of middle blocker who earns her spot in this Dream Team because of what she projects into, not just what she is right now. There’s a clear physical presence to her game: length, reach, and timing that already give her the tools to impact at the net when she’s engaged and in rhythm. What stands out most is that evaluators see real upside in her frame and mobility. She has the kind of physical profile that naturally fits the middle position at higher levels, and that alone keeps her in conversations with top prospects in a deep class of players at the position. The consistency piece is still something she’s building toward, but the raw tools are what make her such a strong long-term bet. Her national exposure reflects that same upside conversation. Multiple NTDP selections, including U17 and Triple Crown NTDP involvement, along with UA Next High School Camp recognition, show she’s already been identified within elite development spaces. Those environments tend to prioritize projection, and Blair continues to show up in those discussions. She earns this spot because she represents ceiling at the middle blocker position. In a Dream Team built around both production and upside, Blair is the type of player you include because the physical foundation is already there, and the next step is turning that into consistent high-level impact.

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Amari Frazier | 2028 | Middle Blocker | AZ Storm | PPV 253

Amari Frazier is the type of player who earns her spot in this Dream Team because when she’s confident, she completely changes the tone of a match. There’s an athletic energy to her game that shows up most when she’s playing freely: she moves with purpose, plays above the net, and brings a level of competitiveness that raises the entire floor around her. What stands out most about Frazier is how much her impact is tied to confidence and rhythm. When she’s locked in, she plays like someone who wants the ball in every situation, not just finishing plays but actively looking to take control of them. That version of her is what separates her from a lot of players in this group: it’s not just ability, it’s presence. Her résumé reflects both production and high-level experience. She has multiple NTDP cycles under her belt, earned 6A All-Conference First Team honors in Arizona, and helped lead her team to a 2025 state championship. That mix of development exposure and winning experience has kept her consistently in national evaluation conversations, with continued involvement in USA Volleyball programming and elite-level camps. Frazier earns this selection because of her ceiling as a true impact athlete in the middle. When she’s at her best, she doesn’t look like a role player, she looks like someone who can swing momentum of a match through energy, athleticism, and aggression at the net. She’s a momentum-changing presence when she’s locked in and playing confidently.

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Opposites 

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Faith Gandy | 2028 | Opposite / Right Side | TAV Houston | PPV 248

Faith Gandy feels like one of the more underrated selections in this Dream Team build, but that’s part of what makes her such an interesting fit. She may not always be the first name brought up in conversations around the position, but the more she’s been seen in high-level competition, the more difficult she’s become to overlook. What stands out about Gandy is how naturally she fits the right-side role. She brings physicality and offensive presence, but also plays with a level of confidence that allows her to impact matches without needing a huge volume of swings. In a deep class of opposites, she’s continued to separate herself by steadily producing against strong competition rather than relying on projection alone. Her recent play during the Tour of Texas helped push her further into recruiting conversations, with evaluators, beginning to view her as a player capable of climbing recruiting boards as the process develops. That momentum has also translated into increased exposure opportunities, including select camp invitations from programs such as TCU, Rice, Alabama, and UTEP. Gandy earns her spot in this lineup because she brings balance to the position. She’s productive, still developing, and plays with the kind of edge that suggests there may be another jump coming in her game. In a Dream Team built around both established names and emerging momentum, she feels like one of the smartest value picks in the group.

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Molly McGovern | 2028 | Opposite / Right Side | Adidas Dynasty | PPV 237

Molly McGovern feels like one of those players you appreciate more the longer you watch her. She may not always get grouped into the loudest conversations at the position, but there’s a lot to like about the way her game translates to the right side, especially from a long-term projection standpoint. What stands out immediately is her physical presence. She has the size, reach, and arm strength that naturally fit the position, but it’s the way she uses those tools that makes her interesting. She plays with a strong blocking presence at the net and has the ability to terminate points cleanly when given opportunities in system. There’s a real “true right-side” feel to her game that’s becoming harder to find. Her résumé continues to build through national-level exposure as well, including multiple NTDP invitations across different cycles along with participation in the Under Armour Next platform. She also earned high school all-conference recognition while playing on the outside, showing versatility within her offensive development. McGovern earns this spot because she feels a bit undervalued compared to what she brings physically and positionally. In this Dream Team build, she gives the lineup size, terminal attacking ability, and a strong front-row presence on the pin: the type of player whose value becomes more obvious the deeper into a match you get.

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Liberos

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Bella Osborn | 2028 | Libero / DS | Madfrog Volleyball | PPV 240

Bella Osborn earns her spot in this Dream Team because she plays the libero position with a level of control and discipline that immediately stands out when you watch her. There’s an intensity to her game, but it never feels chaotic; everything she does looks intentional, efficient, and technically clean. What separates Osborn in this group is how polished her movement patterns already are. She covers a tremendous amount of floor without relying on panic reactions or unnecessary movement, and her platform control consistently keeps her in system. A lot of younger liberos rely heavily on athletic recovery plays, but Osborn’s game is built more around positioning, timing, and reading the play early, which makes her feel extremely reliable defensively. She also brings a competitive edge that shows up throughout matches. Even in high-pressure moments, she stays composed and doesn’t try to do too much outside of her role. That level of discipline is a major reason why she continues to be viewed as one of the top libero prospects in the class, even if she isn’t always discussed as loudly as others nationally. Osborn earns this selection because she gives this Dream Team something every elite lineup needs: consistency. In a roster full of dynamic offensive talent, she’s the player who keeps rallies alive, stabilizes first contact, and allows the rest of the lineup to operate aggressively around her. She feels undervalued at times nationally, but her overall impact is extremely difficult to ignore once you watch her closely.

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Ava Cooper | 2029 | Libero / DS | A5 Volleyball Club | PPV 231

Ava Cooper earns her spot in this Dream Team because she already carries herself like the leader of a defense. Even as one of the younger players in the lineup, there’s a noticeable command to the way she organizes the backcourt, communicates through rallies, and keeps her team composed in serve receive. What stands out most about Cooper is how steady her game feels. She reads plays early, moves with confidence, and consistently puts herself in strong defensive positions instead of relying on reaction plays late. Her platform control is another major strength, she keeps passes clean and controlled, which allows offenses to stay in rhythm and operate in system more consistently. Her résumé already reflects significant early recognition. Cooper earned First Team All-Conference and 5A All-Region honors as a freshman, while also being named Gaston County Player of the Year in 2024. She has additionally earned recognition through the AVCA Phenom Watchlist and NCVBCA Players Watchlist, reinforcing the attention she’s already receiving nationally and within her region. She’s also continued building exposure through early ACC and SEC camp involvement, which speaks to how quickly programs have started identifying her as a young defensive prospect worth tracking. That attention makes sense when watching her play, she brings a calm presence to the back row while still playing with confidence and urgency. Cooper earns this selection because she gives this Dream Team another layer of defensive leadership. In a lineup full of offensive talent and high-level athletes, she’s the type of libero who keeps everything connected through communication, ball control, and consistency from first contact onward.