Weekly Risers: 13 Players we Need to Talk About

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Ella Rowe — Class of 2027 | Club: Valley Volleyball Academy | Position: Middle Blocker

Ella Rowe is trending up as one of the more intriguing underclassmen prospects in the Central Section, with her development showing up across both team success and individual recognition. Rowe’s growth has been reflected in her increasing impact during high-pressure matches and postseason play.

She helped lead her team to the 2025 CIF Central Section Division III Championship and a CMAC League title, earning First Team All-CMAC honors. Her performances throughout the season showcased improved consistency and confidence, particularly as the stakes rose late in the year.

At the club level, Rowe competes with Valley Volleyball Academy, where her continued development earned her an invitation to the UA NEXT Series, placing her among a select group of nationally recognized prospects in the Class of 2027. As a weekly riser, Rowe's momentum is driven by winning impact, expanding exposure, and a game that continues to trend upward.

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Sophia Newland — Libero | Class of 2027 | Lake Catholic High School (Ohio)

Championship experience and measurable development are pushing Sophia Newland into the weekly riser conversation. The Class of 2027 libero played a role in Lake Catholic’s Ohio state championship, gaining valuable reps in high-stakes moments where serve receive and defensive discipline matter most.

Newland remains uncommitted, but her recent growth suggests her recruitment window is opening. Since her last evaluations, she has grown an inch, added seven inches to her three-step jump, and posted a 10-point increase in her PrepVolleyball rating, indicators of both physical development and improved on-court effectiveness.

As her athleticism continues to rise and her defensive game sharpens, Newland is positioning herself as a libero prospect trending in the right direction with momentum heading into the next evaluation cycle.

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Sydney Guerrier — Setter / Opposite | Class of 2026 | Tribe

Accolades followed Sydney Guerrier throughout the 2025 season, and they’re now translating into national recognition and recruiting momentum. A versatile setter/opposite, Guerrier earned AVCA High School All-America Second Team honors, adding to an already impressive résumé.

Her postseason recognition extended beyond one list. Guerrier was named AVCA All-Region and selected to the AVCA Best & Brightest Third Team, highlighting both her athletic performance and academic strength. At the state level, she landed on the Broward County Athletic Association All-Star Team and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Team, reinforcing her impact within one of the most competitive volleyball regions in the country.

Off the court, Guerrier’s trajectory is just as strong. She received early decision acceptance to American University along with the annual Dean’s Scholarship for academic excellence, a reflection of the balance she brings between high-level volleyball and academics. With positional flexibility and sustained recognition at multiple levels, Guerrier continues to trend upward as a weekly riser.

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Carolyn Maria — Setter | Class of 2029 | Metro

Some athletes announce themselves early. Carolyn Maria has done exactly that, surging into the Elite Red level and establishing herself as one of the fastest-rising setters in the Class of 2029.

Her freshman season was stacked with high-level recognition. Maria earned First Team All-State, AVCA First Team All-Region, and First Team All-WCAC honors, while also being named to the MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team. On the national stage, she was selected as AVCA Breakout Player of the Year for Virginia, a rare distinction for an underclassman.

At Bishop O’Connell High School, Maria’s impact was immediate. She was named Rookie of the Year and received the Most Outstanding Player award, underscoring her ability to control matches from day one. Her trajectory continues upward with a USA Volleyball NTDP Winter Training invitation, placing her among the top emerging prospects nationally.With accolades spanning state, regional, and national levels, Maria’s rise is already well underway.

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Channing Minton — Libero | Class of 2028 | KC Power

Defense-first players don’t always grab headlines early, but Channing Minton is forcing the conversation. The Missouri libero prospect continues to rise through a combination of competitive success and leadership beyond the stat sheet.

Minton helped earn a USA Volleyball Junior Bronze Medal in the National Division, a result that reflects consistency and composure against top-tier competition. As a libero, her ability to stabilize serve receive and extend rallies has been a key factor in high-level match play.

Off the court, Minton’s influence stands out as well. She is a member of the LOVB Club Athlete Council, signaling trust, leadership, and engagement within the broader volleyball community. As the Class of 2028 cycle develops, Minton is positioning herself as a defender whose impact goes beyond one skill and continues to trend upward.

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Gracie Malchow — Setter | Class of 2030 | Kairos

The trajectory is starting early for Gracie Malchow, and evaluators are already taking notice. The Class of 2030 setter earned a UA NEXT invitation ahead of her upcoming 14s season with Kairos, a significant marker for a player this young.

Receiving a UA NEXT invite at this stage signals advanced court awareness, decision-making, and leadership potential at the setting position. As Malchow prepares to step into a higher level of competition this season, the attention reflects both current skill and long-term upside.

With her 14s campaign still ahead, Malchow enters the season as a young setter on the rise, firmly on the radar well before most players in her class.

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Gillian Pfeiffer — Middle Blocker / Opposite | Class of 2028 | STLHP

Gillian Pfeiffer continues to rise on the national radar as she rounds out another season of high-level competition and elite developmental opportunities. The Class of 2028 standout is earning attention not just for her production but for her involvement with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) Winter Training Series, marking her as a prospect with growing recognition beyond her local region. 

Pfeiffer has been a consistent contributor for STLHP’s 15 Royal, a club team that competes at a high level and has gained national ranking attention. Her ability to swing the ball with aggression and anchor the block shows readiness to handle increased roles in competitive environments.

In Missouri play, her blend of attacking versatility and defensive presence has made her one of the prep scene’s most watched players in her class, building a résumé that pairs club success with rising national exposure. As a weekly riser, Pfeiffer’s momentum reflects both continued development and expanding opportunity at the next levels of competition.

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Alex Serina — Setter | Class of 2029 | Advantage Volleyball Academy - PPV 174

Early camp buzz is building around Alex Serina as she continues to carve out a reputation as a setter to watch in the Class of 2029. Serina’s résumé this cycle already includes invitations to camps hosted by Pittsburgh, Penn State, Louisville, and Lehigh, signaling interest from high‑major programs and growing exposure on the evaluators’ radar.

While specific stat lines aren’t available yet, the breadth of her camp resume reflects a player who is earning looks through consistency, court awareness, and the ability to run an offense under pressure. Invitations from multiple Division I programs often point to strong feel for tempo, decision‑making, and connection with hitters — especially at a setting position where those traits matter most.

As the season progresses, Serina’s continued presence on high‑level camp lists and collegiate radars positions her as a riser whose profile is gaining momentum well before most of her class.

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Nailah Randle — Outside Hitter | Class of 2027 | Austin Performance

Nailah Randle continues to rise as one of the most impactful offensive players in her class. The Class of 2027 LSU commit capped the 2025 season with standout performances, earning District 28-6A Offensive Player of the Year honors while also making First Team All-District and Second Team Academic All-District, reflecting a balance of athletic and academic excellence.

Randle’s consistent scoring, court awareness, and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments helped lead her team through the district slate and positioned her as a go-to option for her program. Her momentum is further validated by her commitment to a high-major program, demonstrating that her combination of skill and competitive consistency has drawn attention at the next level.

As a weekly riser, Randle’s trajectory is defined by production, efficiency, and the potential to continue impacting matches for both club and school programs.

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Evie Ballengee — Middle Blocker | Class of 2026 | NC Academy

Evie Ballengee’s development is catching attention as she climbs into the upper echelons of her class. The Class of 2026 middle blocker made measurable gains, adding two inches to her three-step approach and bringing her TOP score into the 9s, now measuring 74 inches with a 9.4 TOP.

These physical improvements have translated directly to performance, with Ballengee showing increased explosiveness, reach, and consistency at the net. The progress is reflected in her PrepVolleyball rating jump, highlighting her as a player whose upward trajectory is backed by both skill development and measurable growth.

As a weekly riser, Ballengee combines raw athleticism with continued refinement in technique, making her one to watch in upcoming seasons.

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Sloane Rattay — Outside Hitter | Class of 2028 | OK Charge

Momentum is building around Sloan Rattay as she steps into broader recognition for her play this season. The Class of 2028 outside hitter has picked up a string of honors that speak to her consistency, versatility, and ability to impact matches from the pin.

Rattay’s résumé this year includes First Team All‑Conference, AVCA All‑Region honors, and AVCA All‑American Honorable Mention, reflecting acknowledgment at both regional and national levels. Making any AVCA list in high school volleyball typically requires a combination of statistical production, leadership, and performance against competitive schedules — markers that Rattay has hit repeatedly. 

Her UA NEXT Camp invitation adds another layer of exposure, placing her among promising prospects gaining early looks from college programs and evaluators. As the season progresses, Rattay’s continued recognition positions her as a riser whose blend of performance and visibility is trending upward in the Class of 2028.

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Kiya Boggan — Middle Blocker | Class of 2027 | Paramount

Kiya Boggan is trending upward as an unsigned prospect making noticeable gains on the court. The Class of 2027 middle blocker increased her approach touch by 2 inches, now reaching 122 inches, signaling both improved explosiveness and growing physical tools for her position.

Boggan’s development points to a player whose vertical and timing are improving, giving her added impact at the net both offensively and defensively. These measurable gains, combined with her ongoing refinement, position her as a player to watch as she continues to generate exposure and opportunities at the next level.

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Madison Garcia — Libero / Setter | Class of 2029 | Tribe- PPV 145 

Madison Garcia is starting her season with a bang, quickly earning recognition as a rising talent in the Class of 2029. Her opening-week performance helped her bump her PrepVolleyball rating to Orange Level, signaling early impact and promise.

Garcia’s versatility as a libero and setter allows her to influence play both defensively and as a floor leader, and her strong showing in the season opener has already put her on the radar for evaluators tracking underclass talent. As a weekly riser, she’s a player whose early-season momentum sets the stage for continued growth and exposure.