Weekly Riser's: 4 Names to Watch Right Now

Dani Solomon — Outside Hitter — NC Academy — Class of 2029 — PPV 201

Dani Solomon continues to surge as one of the more productive young outsides in her class, backed by an eye-opening freshman campaign and measurable physical growth. Her 2025 season included 346 kills on a .498 efficiency across 695 attempts, along with 52 aces, 29 blocks, and 131 digs while playing primarily four rotations  a workload that reflects both trust and versatility early in her career. She also handled the ball consistently with 256 contacts and just six errors, showing composure and control beyond her age. The recent three-inch jump in approach touch adds another layer to her offensive ceiling, reinforcing her ability to score at a high clip from the pin. Solomon’s combination of production, expanding physical tools, and multi-phase impact makes her one of the more compelling young risers to monitor as the 2029 class continues to take shape.

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Vanessa Gridley —  Setter — AZ Sky — Class of 2028 — PPV 167

Vanessa Gridley continues to build momentum through increased exposure and steady physical development. She added a strong group of select camps to her résumé; including Washington State, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, Georgetown, Wyoming, and Virginia; placing her in front of a wide range of college staffs and competitive training environments. Her approach touch ticked up another inch, signaling continued athletic progression as she refines her game. That combination of growth and recruiting visibility positions Gridley as a player gaining traction, with more opportunities opening as she continues to develop within the AZ Sky system.

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Madlen Gloessner — Middle Blocker — NORCO Volleyball 17 Black — Class of 2028 — PPV 275

Madlen Gloessner’s recruiting momentum continues to accelerate, highlighted by an updated target list packed with major national programs: Texas A&M, Nebraska, Penn State, Stanford, Pitt, Texas, SMU, Louisville, Wisconsin, USC, North Carolina, and Creighton. The breadth and caliber of interest point to a prospect firmly on the radar at the highest levels of college volleyball. Operating with a PPV of 275, Gloessner profiles as a player whose performance and trajectory are already translating into significant recruiting traction. As communication and exposure continue to build, her stock remains firmly on the rise heading into the next evaluation windows.

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Maddy Conner — Opposite / RS — SpaceNeedle VBF Blitz 17-1 — Class of 2027 — PPV 209

Maddy Conner continues to trend upward as a right-side attacker, pairing production with measurable physical gains. Her approach touch improved from 120″ to 122″, a meaningful jump that strengthens her scoring ceiling and ability to play above the block. She earned 1st Team All-Metro Region honors during the high school season and will continue building exposure with an invite to UA Next (Los Angeles, May 22, 2026). The mix of recognition, physical progression, and high-level event participation reflects a player growing into a larger offensive role. With a PPV of 209, Conner is positioning herself as a right-side prospect whose development and visibility continue to move in the right direction.

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