Weekly Risers: Up-and-Coming Stars to Watch

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Eden Knapp — OTVA — Class of 2028 —  Middle Blocker - PPV 195

Eden Knapp has firmly established herself as one of the top prospects in her class, currently ranked #1 in Florida for 2028 by Prep Dig and selected as a Team Florida All-Star (HP). She pairs national recognition with strong physical tools, posting a 119″ approach touch and 110″ block touch, numbers that translate to real impact at the net.Her résumé is backed by exposure at high-level college camps, including Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Kansas State, and Tennessee, reflecting the attention she’s drawing from major programs. Knapp plays with confidence and presence, and her combination of production, athletic measurables, and recognition places her solidly among the Weekly Risers with momentum heading into the next evaluation window.

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Anabelle Cummings — Libero — Revolution — Class of 2028 — PPV 223

Anabelle Cummings has quickly distinguished herself as one of the top liberos in her class. She earned 1st Team All-Region (6A Desert Valley, 2025) and 2nd Team All-State (AZ, 2025) honors, and has gained national-level experience through the NTDP 2025 Winter Series, NTDP 2026 Experience, and a UA NEXT Invite Camp in 2026. Cummings shows excellent court awareness, reads hitters effectively, and consistently puts herself in position to control the backcourt. Her combination of instincts, platform control, and experience against high-level competition makes her a standout defensive presence and a rising prospect to watch in the coming seasons.

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Gabriella Nucci — Middle Blocker — AZ Sky — Class of 2028 — PPV 155

Gabriella Nucci brings solid size to the middle blocker position and demonstrates a quick, controlled arm swing that allows her to score efficiently and hit sharp angles at the net. She has also earned Sports360AZ First Team All-Academic Girls Volleyball honors, reflecting her dedication both on and off the court. Nucci’s game is built on strong fundamentals and positional awareness, giving her a reliable presence at the net. With continued development and exposure, she has the tools to grow her blocking and offensive contributions, making her a rising middle blocker to watch in her class.

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Hailey Cruz — Opposite/Right Side — MAVS KC — Class of 2027 — PPV 151

Hailey Cruz has made a strong impression in the Kansas high school volleyball scene, earning All-District and All-Conference honors for the 2025–26 season. Playing primarily on the right side, she combines solid size with a developing arm swing that allows her to contribute consistently in attack rotations. Cruz shows the versatility to impact both front and back row, adjusting to different match situations with poise. Her work ethic and court awareness help her stay involved in plays and support teammates effectively, setting a foundation for continued growth. With more exposure and reps, she has the tools to further refine her attacking and defensive skills, making her a player to watch as she matures into a more complete opposite hitter.

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Sydney Walburn — Outside Hitter/Right Side — Mintonette Sports — Class of 2029 — PPV 160

Walburn enters the Weekly Risers after earning ranked status on the PrepDig Ohio Class of 2029 watch list, reflecting her emerging presence among prospects in a competitive state landscape. She plays outside hitter and right side roles with Mintonette Sports, a Columbus‑based club that fields teams in regional and national qualifying events, giving her valuable reps against strong competition. At nearly 6'0, Walburn’s physical profile creates a solid attacking platform and defensive versatility, allowing her to contribute across rotations and keep rallies alive. Her involvement at both the high school and club levels — including taking varsity court time early — shows a player gaining momentum with continued opportunities and exposure. As she continues to refine her all‑around game, Walburn is trending upward and rapidly positioning herself as one of the more noticeable 2029 hitters emerging from Ohio’s deep talent pool. 

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Brynn Stephens — Outside Hitter/Setter — TAV — Class of 2027 — PPV 273

Stephens has been trending hard upward and earns her spot as a Weekly Riser with an elite profile that combines production, versatility, and national recognition. Standing 6’3″ with strong touch numbers (120″ block, 123″ approach), she plays both outside hitter and setter roles at a high level for Texas Advantage Volleyball Club and has been recognized on multiple all‑tournament and All‑American lists. Her résumé includes GJNC 14 Open National Champion, USAV All‑Star Champion & MVP, JVA All‑National Team, and PrepVolleyball U16 First Team All‑American honors, alongside repeated invitations to NTDP events that speak to her competitive experience and adaptability across systems and positions. Stephens’ combination of size, swing mechanics, and feel for multiple facets of the game set her apart. She has shown the ability to impact matches in every rotation, and that multidimensional skill set—along with her production and national exposure—cements her status as one of the 2027 class’s most dynamic rising talents. 

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Liliana Rossi — Libero — SC Rockstar — Class of 2028 — PPV 143

Liliana Rossi has gained exposure at a number of high-level collegiate camps, including Mizzou, Brown, Alabama, Indiana, Florida, Boston College, Duke, UVA, Yale, Oklahoma, and Georgetown, giving her experience with a variety of coaching styles and competitive environments. As a libero, Rossi demonstrates solid court awareness and positioning, reading hitters and reacting to plays with focus and discipline. While her technique is still refining, she consistently works to control the ball and make defensive plays, showing the determination and fundamentals that will allow her to continue improving and becoming a reliable backcourt presence for her team.

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Allison Veres — Setter — AZ Sky — Class of 2028 — PPV 177

Allison Veres returns to the spotlight after missing a year while recovering from a shoulder injury, showing resilience and determination in her first tournament back. She impressed with her balance, athleticism, and poise, consistently making smart reads and creating quality opportunities for her hitters.Veres moves efficiently across the court, controlling the tempo of the offense and demonstrating excellent timing with her sets. Her skill, court awareness, and leadership make her a standout setter in her class, and her successful return after injury highlights both her dedication and her potential to continue growing as a key playmaker.

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Ravyn Medricky — Middle Blocker — Kairos Elite — Class of 2027 — PPV 107

Ravyn Medricky has made significant strides in her game, earning recognition as a Mitchell Republic Volleyball Player of the Year finalist. She has improved her approach touch by an inch and her block touch by two inches, showing continued growth in her physical tools for the middle blocker position.Medricky demonstrates strong instincts at the net, using timing and positioning to make an impact on both blocks and quick attacks. Her steady improvement, combined with a competitive mindset and court awareness, highlights her as a developing middle blocker with the potential to continue rising in her class.

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Morgan Stringer — Outside Hitter — OTVA — Class of 2027 — PPV 144

Morgan Stringer has built a strong reputation in Georgia volleyball, earning All Greater Savannah Volleyball Team, 2nd Team honors in 2025 and being ranked #8 OH/RS in Georgia (Class of 2027) by PrepDig in 2026. She brings solid size and skill to the outside hitter position, combining a controlled swing with the ability to hit sharp angles.Stringer consistently contributes across rotations and shows strong court awareness, making smart decisions in both attack and defense. Her combination of accolades, work ethic, and on-court performance positions her as a rising outside hitter with the potential to make a significant impact as she continues to develop.

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Presley Johnson — Libero — OTVA — Class of 2029 — PPV 177

Presley Johnson is a rising libero with a rapidly developing skill set, now standing 5’6″ after a 4-inch growth spurt that adds to her presence on the court. She demonstrates strong athleticism and flexibility, with quick feet and solid platform angles that allow her to excel in serve receive and defensive rotations. Johnson will be attending the NTDP Training Series in Kansas City this February, gaining valuable experience against top-level competition. Her combination of size, agility, and instincts makes her a player to watch as she continues to refine her defensive game and develop into a standout backcourt presence.

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Addyson Boone — Setter — C-Force VB — Class of 2029 — PPV 104

Addyson Boone continues to develop as a rising setter, recently posting 93″ block touch and 96″ approach touch, showcasing improvements in her athletic profile and court presence. She brings strong fundamentals to the setter position, with good hands, timing, and an ability to run the offense efficiently. Boone demonstrates poise and decision-making on the court, consistently creating opportunities for her hitters while maintaining balance and control in serve receive and transition. Her growing physical tools and technical skills position her as a promising setter to follow as she continues to gain experience and exposure.