New Player Profiles: Rising Talent Across the Classes

Caira Taisi | Middle Blocker – Vegas Aces | Class of 2028 – PPV Level: 138

Taisi brings a blend of size and competitive experience that stands out in the 2028 middle blocker group. Playing with Vegas Aces, she has gained valuable court time and competitive reps within a strong club environment. On the high school front, she represents Bishop Gorman, a powerhouse in Nevada volleyball, where the program consistently competes at the top of its league and state standings. Her recent exposure included a Rutgers camp and an invite to UA NEXT, which speaks to the interest she’s generating on the recruiting circuit. With her physical frame and growing technical foundation, Taisi presents a balanced middle profile with room to build toward higher-level roles as she continues to grow into her tools.

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Shiloh Braddick | A5 | Class of 2029 | OPP/RS | PPV Level: 243

Braddick is a dynamic opposite/right-side hitter in the 2029 class, already turning heads with her power and attacking presence. She’s gained early exposure at camps including Nebraska and SMU, showing coaches her ability to finish swings from either pin. Her athleticism, strength, and consistent contact point make her a formidable front-row threat, while her versatility allows her to contribute across rotations. With continued development, Braddick is positioned as one of the high-upside hitters to watch in her class.

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Eden Knapp | OTVA | Class of 2028 | Middle Blocker | PPV Level: 195

Knapp is a physically advanced middle blocker in the 2028 class who has steadily built a strong foundation both at club and in high school play. Listed around 6’2”, she brings length and presence to the pin and has been gaining meaningful exposure through camps with Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas State, and Virginia, signaling interest across a variety of Power programs. Her measurable approach and block scores (9, 8.8, and 8 feet+) reflect a blend of length and athletic coordination at the net, giving her a solid base to own middle play as she continues to refine timing and attack rhythm. Knapp’s ability to contribute consistently in competitive settings positions her as a rising name in her class with plenty of runway for continued growth.

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Sofia Meister | Nebraska Elite | Class of 2029 | Setter | PPV Level: 123

Meister is a setter for Nebraska Elite in the 2029 class, bringing strong fundamentals and a developing feel for the position. She runs her team effectively and demonstrates consistency in her setting. Her exposure includes a UNO camp, and she has collected meaningful prep awards. With approach and block measurables in the 9- and high-8-foot range, her physical tools are beginning to align with her play. As she continues to gain experience, Meister’s work ethic and skill development position her as a setter to watch in the 2029 class.

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Kennedy Duson | KC Power | Class of 2028 | OPP/RS | PPV Level: 128

Duson is an Opposite/Right Side hitter for KC Power in the 2028 class, contributing offensively with a developing attack and strong rotation presence. She’s gaining valuable experience in a competitive club environment, getting reps against quality opposition that help her refine her timing and contact. Her approach and block measurables, 8.8, 7.3, and 8.4, reflect athleticism and range at the net, providing a solid foundation as she continues to grow her game. Duson’s consistency, physical tools, and work ethic make her a player to watch as she develops within the 2028 class.

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Maggie Nash | Club North | Class of 2029 | Libero | PPV Level: 172

Nash is a libero in the 2029 class gaining experience and exposure through her club play with Club North. She’s attended camps including Northwestern, Kansas State, UNO, and Alabama, giving her opportunities to work in front of college coaches and refine her defensive skills against a range of competition.Her physical profile sits at an average height for the position, and her PPV level reflects her current effectiveness and consistency in her role. As she continues to develop her ball control, court awareness, and serve‑receive precision, Nash’s experience at high‑level camps will serve as a strong platform for her continued growth as a back‑row defender.

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Lilly Powell | Infinity | Class of 2030 | Libero | PPV Level: TBD

Powell is a young libero in the 2030 class, developing her skills with Infinity. As she gains experience in practices and competition, she’s building a foundation in serve receive, court awareness, and defensive positioning that will support her growth in the back row.

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Isabella Gomez | Houston Jrs. | Class of 2028 | OH | PPV Level: 165

Gomez has made a strong impact for Houston Jrs. in the 2028 class, building on an impressive sophomore season at Katy ISD where she earned 19-6A First Team and Offensive MVP honors, finishing with 352 kills, 312 digs, and 53 aces.Her measurable improvements include a 6-inch gain on both approach and block touch, now standing at 71" with an impressive vertical. Gomez brings a polished swing and solid wrist control, allowing her to execute clean, controlled attacks from the outside. With her combination of size, athleticism, and growing skill set, Gomez is a versatile outside hitter who continues to rise in the 2028 class.

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Haleigh Bauer | VCNebraska | Class of 2028 | Outside Hitter | PPV Level: 152

Bauer is a proven outside hitter in the 2028 class who has already competed at a high national level with VCN 16 Elite, helping her team place 5th in 16 Open at USAV Nationals. Playing in one of the most competitive divisions in the country, she’s gained valuable experience against top-tier opposition and shown the ability to contribute in pressure moments.At the high school level, Bauer has put together an impressive list of accolades, including Nebraska All-State, Class A Hitter of the Year finalist, HAC All-Conference, and Academic All-State honors. Her combination of production and consistency has made her a reliable presence on the pin. Bauer has also expanded her exposure through camps at Kansas State, Missouri, North Dakota, and Minnesota, continuing to build her profile as a well-rounded outside with competitive experience and upward momentum in the 2028 class.

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Kaylee Ballard | Adidas Dynasty | Class of 2028 | Outside Hitter | PPV Level: 141

Ballard is an outside hitter in the 2028 class representing Adidas Dynasty, a strong club program based in Kansas City that competes regionally and nationally. She brings a balanced attacking profile with measurable athleticism that shows up in her approach and block touches, contributing offensively in rotations and serving as a reliable rotation option. Her camp experience includes stops at Wisconsin/Green Bay, Oklahoma, and USC, which have given her early collegiate exposure and opportunities to work with high-level coaching staffs. Those environments have helped her sharpen her approach mechanics and live competition instincts.As Ballard continues to gain competitive reps and fine-tune her attack and all-around game, she’s positioned as an emerging outside presence in the 2028 class worth watching as she develops.

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Addie Martin | AZ Storm | Class of 2029 | Setter | PPV Level: 198

Martin is a setter in the 2029 class competing with AZ Storm, gaining experience and polish in a strong Arizona club environment. She’s earned valuable exposure through two NTDP invites, which underscores her continued development and the interest she’s generating at national-level events.Her early collegiate camp experience includes time with Nebraska, Arizona State, UCLA, TCU, and USD, giving her reps in front of a wide range of coaching staffs and helping her refine release, tempo, and leadership in live settings.With a combination of technical setting skills, competitive reps, and continued exposure against high-level competition, Martin is building a profile that suggests strong upside as she continues her trajectory in the 2029 setter pool. 

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Ashley Sakonju | SG Elite | Class of 2028 | Libero | PPV Level: 161

Sakonju is a libero in the 2028 class who made a major impact during her high school season, earning 2025 Defensive Player of the Year honors and helping lead her team to a 5A State Championship. Her ability to anchor the back row and contribute consistently in high-pressure matches was a key part of that title run. She has gained collegiate exposure through camps at UCSB, Long Beach State, Michigan State, and Colorado, continuing to build experience in competitive training environments and in front of college coaching staffs. With a championship résumé, defensive recognition, and continued exposure at the collegiate level, Sakonju is establishing herself as a dependable and competitive libero in the 2028 class as she continues to develop her game.

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