Weekly Risers: 10 Athletes Making Noise This Week

Kierslyn Cattau | 2030 OH | VCNebraska 14 Elite | PPV: 139

Kierslyn Cattau continues to establish herself as one of the rising outside hitters in the 2030 class. The VCNebraska standout has put together a strong spring campaign, highlighted by helping her team earn a USAV Open bid while also landing on the 2026 All-Tournament Team at the GPR Bid Tournament. She followed that up with a ninth-place finish in Open at Northern Lights, one of the strongest national events on the calendar for younger age groups. What stands out most about Cattau is the explosiveness she already brings to the outside at such a young age. She plays with a high level of energy and athleticism while continuing to show the ability to impact matches against strong Open-level competition. Her physical upside and ability to terminate make her one of the more exciting young OH prospects continuing to rise in the 2030 class. Cattau is also set to attend Select Camps at both Creighton and University of Nebraska, another strong indicator of the attention she is already generating early in her development. With a PPV of 139 and continued success this club season, she continues trending upward nationally.

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Bahar Graham | 2030 MB | Tribe 14 VKTRY Cardinal | PPV: 136

Bahar Graham has continued to emerge as one of the more productive middle blockers in the 2030 class this club season. Playing a key role for a Tribe squad that has gone 51-7 while double qualifying for USAV Nationals, Graham has consistently impacted matches with her efficiency and steady presence at the net. Her season production reflects that consistency, totaling 103 kills while hitting .342, along with 53 digs and 23 aces while maintaining a 91% service percentage. The +105 +/- further highlights the overall impact she has had throughout the season on both sides of the ball. What continues to stand out about Graham is her ability to contribute beyond the traditional expectations of the middle blocker position. She brings reliability offensively while also showing strong all-around involvement and composure for a young MB competing at a high level. Graham has also added a Select Camp with Wake Forest University to her growing list of opportunities, another sign that college programs are beginning to take notice of her development and long-term upside.

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Abbie Powell | 2028 MB | Munciana | PPV: 217

Abbie Powell continues to separate herself as one of the premier middle blockers in the 2028 class. The Munciana standout and Montpelier High School product is coming off a strong high school season that earned her 2025 Indiana 1A First Team All-State honors, and she has carried that momentum directly into a clear offseason push in both physical development and national exposure. It’s clear Powell has been putting real emphasis on her growth developmentally this season, with measurable gains that reflect it. Her approach touch has climbed from 115 to 120, and she’s added a 109 block touch, both indicators of improved explosiveness, timing, and overall presence at the net. For a middle blocker, those jumps matter, and they show a player actively expanding her ceiling rather than staying static. Powell’s impact continues to translate beyond testing as well. Her summer schedule includes Select Camps at Ohio State, Western Kentucky, South Carolina, and Auburn, reflecting the level of programs beginning to engage with her development. With a PPV of 217, steady high school production, and visible physical progress, Powell is trending as one of the more complete and steadily rising middle blockers in the 2028 class.

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Jayden Fitzgerald | 2026 OH | TAV | Georgia State commit 

Jayden Fitzgerald continues to stand out as a steady and versatile outside hitter for TAV, bringing a strong combination of consistency, competitiveness, and multi-dimensional impact to her game. The Georgia State verbal commit has built a well-rounded résumé over multiple seasons, showing she can contribute in a variety of roles while maintaining a high level of reliability in pressure situations. Her track record speaks to sustained excellence. Fitzgerald earned Utility Player of the Year in 2023, along with being a two-time First Team All-District selection and a two-time Academic All-District honoree. She has also been recognized twice as an AVCA Phenom, reinforcing her presence as a long-term standout who has consistently performed at a high level both on the court and in the classroom. What continues to stand out with Fitzgerald is her ability to impact the game in different ways while staying steady in key moments. She’s effective from the pin, confident in transition, and brings reliability across rotations that translates well to the next level. She is set to continue her career at Georgia State, where her skill set and experience give her a strong foundation entering the collegiate level. 

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Morgan Nesloney | 2028 LIB | TAV Houston | PPV: 219

Morgan Nesloney continues to establish herself as one of the more consistent defensive presences in the 2028 class, bringing both production and leadership to the libero role for TAV Houston. Her ability to anchor a backcourt has been reflected through a strong list of accolades, including 2026 Defensive MVP and Varsity MVP honors at The John Cooper School, along with being named an ALL SPC Honoree in the Southwest Preparatory Conference. Nesloney’s impact is defined by her reliability and competitiveness on the defensive end, consistently setting the tone in serve receive and extending rallies with disciplined floor coverage. She has shown a steady upward trajectory as she continues to grow into a high-level libero prospect capable of handling increased responsibility against top competition. Her upcoming camp schedule further reflects the level of attention she is beginning to draw nationally. She has accepted invitations and will be attending camps at Rice, UNC, Florida, and Pittsburgh, with additional opportunities still being considered. With a PPV of 219 and a growing list of high-level experiences, Nesloney continues to trend upward as a dependable back-row leader in the 2028 class.

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Ellery Ames | 2029 MB | Sanford Sports Academy–Fargo | PPV: 139

Ellery Ames is quickly emerging as a name to know in the 2029 class, bringing rare physical upside to the middle blocker position at an early stage in her development. As a freshman, she’s already showing elite-level measurables with a reported approach touch reaching 10’1”, a marker that immediately separates her from many peers nationally in her age group. Beyond the numbers, Ames continues to build valuable experience against strong competition through consistent exposure in high-level environments with Sanford Sports Academy–Fargo. That early foundation is helping accelerate her development as she adjusts to the speed, timing, and physicality required at the next level. She’s also gaining significant exposure through tons of camp experience at a wide range of Division I programs, further reflecting the attention she is starting to draw early in her high school career. That level of early engagement speaks to both her physical tools and long-term potential as she continues to refine her game. With her combination of size, early explosiveness, and expanding experience, Ames is a developing middle blocker whose trajectory will be one to closely follow throughout the 2029 cycle.

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Roxy Rigo | 2029 S | Mintonette | PPV: 211

Roxy Rigo continues to establish herself as one of the more dynamic young setters in the 2029 class, with steady upward movement backed by both national-level exposure and measurable athletic gains. She earned selection to NTDP Spring 2026 and UA Next Spring 2026, placing her among a select group of athletes gaining early national recognition. Rigo’s development has also been reflected physically, with her approach touch increasing from 113 to 117 and her block touch improving from 109 to 112. Those gains highlight her continued emphasis on explosiveness and timing at the net, key traits for a setter looking to expand her impact beyond just distribution. Her game continues to mature through consistent high-level training and competition with Mintonette, where she’s gaining valuable experience in fast-paced systems and elite environments. That foundation is translating into increased confidence and command as she develops her overall floor leadership. This summer also brings a strong camp schedule, with planned stops at programs including Michigan, Arizona, Kentucky, Auburn, Michigan State, Southern Methodist, and Virginia, reflecting the growing attention she is beginning to draw nationally. With a PPV of 211 and continued physical and technical progression, Rigo remains one of the more promising setters emerging in the 2029 class.

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Carsen Steinkamp | 2028 LIB | LiveWire Volleyball | PPV: 120

Carsen Steinkamp continues to make her mark as a steady defensive presence in the 2028 class, highlighted by a standout performance at the national level. She earned selection to the GJNC 15 USA All-Tournament Team, a strong indicator of her ability to elevate her play on one of the biggest stages of the club season. Competing with LiveWire Volleyball, Steinkamp has shown the kind of consistency and competitiveness that translates well to the libero position, especially in high-pressure matches where serve receive and back-row defense become critical. Her recognition at GJNC reflects both her ball control and her ability to impact matches against top-tier national competition. With continued exposure in elite environments, Steinkamp is building a solid foundation as a reliable defensive specialist in the 2028 class, with momentum continuing to grow as she gains more high-level experience.

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Sofia Meister | 2029 S | Nebraska Elite | PPV: 133

Sofia Meister continues to build momentum as a developing setter in the 2029 class, earning selection to the USAV All Star Championships (Great Plains 19U Red) for summer 2026, a strong indicator of her rising profile at the regional and national level. Meister’s game continues to develop through consistent exposure in competitive environments with Nebraska Elite, where she is gaining valuable reps running offense against strong club competition. That experience is helping her grow into a more confident and controlled presence in the setter role. Her upcoming camp schedule also reflects increasing interest, with planned attendance at the University of Nebraska Omaha Prospect Camp, the University of South Dakota Coyote Experience Camp, and an invite to the University of Michigan “Michigan Way” camp. With a PPV of 133 and continued opportunities to train in high-level settings, Meister is trending upward as a setter to watch in the 2029 class.

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Logan Keenan | 2028 LIB | Austin Skyline | PPV: 137

Logan Keenan continues to emerge as a steady defensive presence in the 2028 class, earning recognition through the JVA 2028 Watchlist while competing with Austin Skyline 16 Royal. Her game is defined by consistency in the back row, where she provides reliable serve receive and controlled floor defense against strong club competition. Keenan’s development has also been supported by consistent exposure in high-level environments, helping her gain experience against top regional and national talent. That foundation has played a key role in her continued progression as a libero prospect. She also brings a stacked camp schedule this summer, with multiple opportunities to train in Division I environments, further expanding her exposure and development pathway as she continues to grow her game. With her watchlist recognition, steady club role, and increasing exposure, Keenan is trending as a player to monitor in the 2028 defensive class.

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