The Next Wave: Player Profiles ‘30 and ‘31, Week 13

While we don’t rank the Class of 2031 due to their early stage of development, there is no shortage of standout talent from these young athletes worth recognizing. We’re excited to highlight these prospects from the Classes of 2030 and 2031 and look forward to tracking their growth and sharing their journeys.  

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Class of 2030

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Ellie Leitch: Green level OH- VOLT 14-1 Open

Ellie Leitch continues to build her game as an outside hitter for VOLT 14-1 Open, bringing a strong foundation to the court. She attended the University of Minnesota volleyball camp and wrapped up her season competing at USAV Nationals in June.

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Gabriella Comey: Green level libero/DS- OTVA 15 National- Jenn

Gabriella Comey is a versatile libero/DS who continues to gain experience across both indoor and beach volleyball. A 2026 Prep Dig Showcase Top Performer, she has also attended camps at Florida, Vanderbilt, Brown, Dartmouth, and other programs.

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Rachel Lazar: Green level libero/DS- OTVA 14-1 Jody

Rachel Lazar is a developing libero/DS who has put in plenty of work outside of her club season to continue improving her game. She helped OTVA 14-1 Jody finish second in its division at AAU Nationals in January.

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Harper Keeney: Green level libero/DS- Austin Skyline 15 Black-1 Jose

After earning Top Performer honors at the 2026 Prep Dig Showcase, Harper Keeney has continued to make strides as a libero/DS. She also attended UA Next Camp and made the varsity roster at Legacy Ranch High School, giving her early experience at the high school level.

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Lailen Kennedy: Green level MB- Ku’ikahi Wahine 15s

At 5’10, Lailen Kennedy brings a promising skill set to the middle blocker position and continues to develop her game. She helped her 14U team earn a third-place finish in the 16U division at the 2026 Shave Ice Cup, competing up an age division.

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Paisley Snyder: Green level libero/DS- Synergy Force 15-1 National

Paisley Snyder has been heavily involved in beach volleyball, where she has continued to sharpen her skills and compete at a high level. She has earned multiple bids to Cal Cup throughout the beach season, adding another dimension to her development as an athlete.

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Rowan Winton: Blue level libero/DS- Premier Nebraska 14 Black

Rowan Winton made an impact for her team with a strong serving presence and steady play in the back row. She helped her team finish third in its division at nationals, capping off a successful season.

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Dayah Tomlinson: Blue level OH- Skyline 15 Black- Corey 

A varsity player at Oakridge High School, Dayah Tomlinson has already gained high-level experience within the sport. She was also named a 2026 Prep Dig Showcase Top Performer and continues to put in significant work outside of her club season to develop her game.

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Class of 2031

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Adalyn Kaup: OPP/RS- South Central 13 Black

At 6’0, Adalyn Kaup brings an intriguing presence to the OPP/RS position and has already competed on national stages. She placed third at the USA All Stars event in both 2025 and 2026 before helping her team finish fifth at USAV Nationals in 2026.

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Emerson Keeney: setter- Austin Skyline 14 Black-1 Kinlee

Emerson Keeney brings an infectious energy to the court and consistently helps keep her team engaged. She was named a 2026 Prep Dig Showcase Top Performer, highlighting a strong season and continued development.

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McKenzie Swenson: libero/DS- VOLT 

McKenzie Swenson continues to develop her game with a strong work ethic and experience in high-level competition. She attended Minnesota State’s volleyball camp and capped off her 2026 season at USAV Nationals.

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Hads Matthies: OH- AVC Nebraska 14 Blue 

Hads Matthies has shown a strong physical presence at the net and continues to make strides in her development. She attended the Creighton volleyball camp and closed out the season competing at nationals.

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Quincey Payne: OH- Club Sol 13 Teal

Quincey Payne put together a strong season with her team, earning a first-place finish at the Utah Golden Spike Grand Prix and taking second at the Champions Challenge Grand Prix. She also gets some experience on the beach, adding another avenue for continued development.

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Aniyah Karim: setter- A5 West 13-1 Aerion 

Aniyah Karim brings high energy to the court and has continued to build her game through work outside of practices and games. She is also part of Atlanta Performance Volleyball’s Gold Medal program, adding another strong component to her development.

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Caroline Spaulding: OH- Excel 14 Red 

Caroline Spaulding has gained beneficial exposure through several college camps, attending sessions at Baylor, TCU, and SMU. A Prep Dig Showcase Top Performer, she also competes in beach volleyball, giving her another opportunity to develop her all-around game.

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