Worth the Watch: 15 Players You Need to Know

Graycen Cawthon | 2028 | Aftershock | Morgan County High School

Graycen Cawthon has already built a résumé that stands out for a 2028 setter/DS. The 5'8" Aftershock and Morgan County High School standout has been part of multiple championship teams while earning individual recognition along the way. Cawthon helped Morgan County win the GHSA AA State Championship in both 2024 and 2025, while also earning 2025 First Team All-Region honors and a spot on the AVCA Phenom Watch List. Her club résumé is just as strong, including an AAU Premier Championship, NEQ USA Championship and AAU National Championship in 2024. With experience competing at a high level both on the club stage and with Morgan County, Cawthon has already shown she knows how to contribute to winning teams. At 5'8", she brings versatility as a setter/DS and is a 2028 player worth keeping an eye on as her game continues to develop.

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Mavi Triantafyllos | 2027 | Northeast Volleyball Club | King School

Mavi Triantafyllos is a 2027 setter from Northeast Volleyball Club and King School who stands out for her quality hands, control and ability to keep her offense in rhythm. The Connecticut setter does a particularly good job creating opportunities for her hitters, regularly putting the ball in a spot where they have multiple options for how they want to attack. Triantafyllos also runs an effective middle attack and continues to make plays that improve her offense with every touch. She has been a six-rotation varsity starter at King and has earned First Team All-League recognition, while her recent inclusion on the 2026 AVCA All-America Watch List adds another indication of the level she's playing at. Now committed to Springfield College, Triantafyllos brings experience, consistency and a high volleyball IQ to the setter position. Her ability to make her hitters better while maintaining control of the offense makes her a 2027 setter worth watching.

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Camryn Boyd | 2029 | Fusion VBC | South Elgin High School

At 6'1", Camryn Boyd has already earned a significant role at South Elgin, seeing heavy varsity minutes against older competition. The Fusion VBC middle blocker has shown she can hold her own at the high school level while continuing to develop her game at the middle position. Boyd has also shown the ability to produce when her team needs it. Early in the season, she turned in a standout performance against Kaneland with 14 kills and nine digs, showcasing her offensive ability along with her activity on defense. With her combination of size, varsity experience and early production, Boyd is a 2029 middle blocker worth keeping an eye on.

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Noelle Suellentrop | 2028 | Birmingham Volleyball Club | Briarwood Christian School

Noelle Suellentrop has already established herself as a high-level setter in Alabama, combining strong production with the ability to run a complete offense. The 5'11" 2028 prospect from Birmingham Volleyball Club and Briarwood Christian has been a three-year varsity letterman and has continued to earn recognition at both the state and national levels. Her 2025 season was particularly productive, as Suellentrop finished with 1,027 assists, 252 digs, 66 kills, 68 aces and 33 blocks. That all-around production helped Briarwood Christian reach the AHSAA 5A State Tournament Final Four, while Suellentrop earned First Team All-Metro and First Team All-County honors. She was also named an AL.com Alabama Player of the Week and received recognition on the AVCA Phenom Watch List. Suellentrop has shown that same consistency on the club stage, helping Birmingham Volleyball Club win the 2025 AAU Birmingham Super Regional with its 15s team and finish fifth at AAU Nationals in the 15 Select division. With her size, experience and ability to contribute in multiple areas, Suellentrop is a 2028 setter who brings a lot to the court every time she steps into the rotation.

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Dakota Richard | 2027 | MadFrog Volleyball | Legacy Christian Academy

Dakota Richard has established herself as a standout setter at Legacy Christian Academy, earning recognition for the impact she has on her team's offense. The 2027 MadFrog Volleyball setter has been named TAPPS 6A District Offensive MVP twice, along with 1st Team All-District honors and an MVP Setter award. Richard has also earned All-State Honorable Mention and Academic All-State recognition, showing the consistency she brings both on and off the court. With her ability to lead an offense and a résumé filled with individual honors, Richard is heading to Utah State as an intriguing addition to the Aggies' 2027 class.

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Tahlya Joyner | 2028 | OTVA Jax | Bartram Trail High School

Tahlya Joyner brings a high-energy style to the court that makes her easy to notice. The 6'1" MB/OH from OTVA Jax and Bartram Trail High School has continued to develop since earning Most Improved Player as a freshman, building on that early varsity experience as she enters her junior season. Joyner's combination of size and athleticism gives her plenty of tools to make an impact at the net. She moves well laterally, brings a physical presence as a blocker and uses her length to build an intimidating wall for opposing attackers. Her explosiveness also makes her a forceful offensive presence, giving her the ability to impact the game on both sides of the net. Her vocal leadership and high-energy approach add another layer to her game, while a summer filled with camps at Florida, Winthrop, FAU and more has given her additional opportunities to compete in high-level environments. Joyner's physical tools and continued development make her an emerging 2028 prospect worth watching.

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Kyla Hurley | 2028 | Pineapple High Performance | Penn High School

Kyla Hurley has continued to draw attention as a 2028 libero/DS, earning recognition from several major volleyball organizations. The Pineapple High Performance and Penn High School standout received an Under Armour Next invite, earned AVCA Phenom recognition and was named an Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association Player to Watch.Hurley also spent the summer competing in college camp environments, making stops at Mississippi State, South Carolina, LSU and more. As a libero/DS, she brings her focus to the back row, where her ability in serve receive, defensive coverage and consistency makes her a player worth watching as the 2028 recruiting class continues to develop.

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Margaret Foote | 2027 | NPJ Forefront | Anacortes High School

Margaret Foote has established herself as a standout middle blocker in the Northwest, combining size, offensive versatility and a strong presence at the net. The 6'2" MB/OH from NPJ Forefront and Anacortes High School has consistently been a focal point for her teams because of the different ways she can impact a match. Foote has earned AVCA Phenom recognition, attended UA Next events and served as captain for multiple of her teams. She has also earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Emerald City Tournament and was part of a team that finished second at the 2026 USAV 18 Open Nationals in Reno. Her game is built around a versatile offensive attack and the ability to create problems for opponents at the net. Foote currently has a 120-inch approach touch and 118-inch block touch, giving her the physical tools to be effective on both sides of the net. With her combination of size, attacking ability and blocking presence, Foote is a 2027 prospect worth watching as she heads to Gonzaga.

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Breckyn Veskerna | 2027 | Nebraska Volleyball Academy | Amherst High School

Breckyn Veskerna has been a standout defensive presence throughout her high school career, and she has continued to add to an impressive résumé during her senior season. The 2027 libero/DS from Nebraska Volleyball Academy and Amherst High School recently surpassed 1,000 career digs, marking a major milestone in a career built around consistency in the back row. Veskerna was named the 2025 Nebraska D1 Libero of the Year after helping Amherst capture the NSAA D1 State Championship. She also earned First Team All-Conference honors, First Team All-State recognition from both the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star, and First Team All-Class honors from the Kearney Hub. Her résumé also includes Academic All-State recognition and three Great Plains USAV All-Star selections. Now committed to Minnesota State Moorhead, Veskerna brings years of high-level defensive experience and a proven ability to anchor the back row. Her 1,000-career-dig milestone is another reflection of the consistency that has made her one of Nebraska's notable defensive players.

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Braelyn Patton | 2027 | Dallas Premier | North Forney High School

At 6'3", Braelyn Patton brings the kind of size and physical presence that immediately makes her a factor at the net. The Dallas Premier middle blocker and North Forney standout has continued to establish herself as a high-level 2027 prospect, earning an NTDP selection and an MVP honor at the Under Armour Next Kansas City Camp Patton's game is built around her physicality, but she brings more than just size to the middle position. Her ability to impact the game at the net gives her a presence that opposing offenses have to account for, while her experience in high-level environments continues to push her development. Off the court, Patton has also been part of a North Forney program that earned the 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award. With her combination of physical tools, national-level experience and continued development, Patton is a major 2027 middle blocker to watch as she heads to Texas A&M.

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Ruthie Robinson | 2027 | Kairos Elite | Bishop O'Gorman High School

Ruthie Robinson is the type of middle blocker who can change a match in multiple ways. The 6'1" Kairos Elite standout is exceptionally athletic and gets off the floor well, but what really separates her is the versatility she brings to the position. Robinson has the volleyball IQ to run quicks, slides and different offensive routes while staying in rhythm with a fast-paced offense. That same athleticism translates to the defensive side, where Robinson reads the net well and does a good job recognizing what opposing hitters are trying to do. She brings consistent energy and competitive confidence to the court, with the ability to stay composed when the pressure rises. Robinson has continued to earn recognition in high-level settings, including being named Most Outstanding Player and earning All-Tournament Team honors at the Triple Crown Colorado Challenge. She also attended the NTDP Spring 2025 session and was named one of VBAdrenaline's Best of the Midwest 2027s. With a 124-inch approach touch and 116-inch block touch, her physical tools match the athletic style she brings to the court. There is also a fun connection to her future school, as Robinson attends Bishop O'Gorman the same school as former Creighton All-American and Olympic beach volleyball player Taryn Kloth. Robinson will now follow that connection to Creighton, bringing an athletic, versatile game to the Bluejays' 2027 class.

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Kendall Dahlen | 2027 | Northern Lights | Jordan High School

Kendall Dahlen has built a reputation as a consistent and dependable presence in the back row for Jordan High School. The 2027 libero/DS from Northern Lights has been recognized across multiple seasons, earning three All-Conference honors in both volleyball and track while continuing to make her mark defensively. Dahlen reached a major milestone in September 2026, surpassing 1,000 career digs with the Jordan Jaguars. She also earned an All-State award in 2025 and was named to a 2024 USAV All-Tournament Team, showing her ability to perform at both the high school and club levels. With years of experience, strong defensive consistency and a proven track record of recognition, Dahlen brings a steady presence to the court. She'll continue her career at Milwaukee, where her experience and defensive skill set will be valuable additions to the Panthers' roster.

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Peyton Smith | 2029 | MadFrog | Duncanville High School

Peyton Smith has already put together an international résumé that would be impressive for any class, and she is just getting started. The 5'10" outside hitter from MadFrog and Duncanville High School has been part of multiple NTDP and UA Next opportunities, while also earning a spot on the U.S. Girls U17 National Team. Smith reached another level in August 2026 when she helped Team USA win gold at the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile. Competing internationally at that level has given Smith valuable experience against top players from around the world, adding another major accomplishment to an already impressive résumé. Her rise began on the high school court, where she made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2025. Smith earned MaxPreps First Team Freshman All-American and Dallas-Fort Worth All-Area Newcomer of the Year honors after leading the entire DFW metroplex with 721 kills, a total that ranked 14th nationally. With international success, national team experience and huge high school production already on her résumé, Smith is a 2029 outside hitter who is very much worth watching as her career continues to take off.

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Layla Petschel | 2029 | OTVA | Wharton High School

Layla Petschel is a 2029 libero/DS who brings plenty of energy and athleticism to the back row for OTVA and Wharton High School. She is the type of defensive player who stays active throughout a rally, showing good court awareness and a willingness to chase down tough balls to keep plays alive. Petschel's versatility also stands out, as she competes in both volleyball and track and field at the varsity level. That athletic background translates well to the libero position, where quick reactions, movement and the ability to cover ground are all important. As she continues developing her game, Petschel is a player to keep an eye on in the 2029 class. Her athleticism, competitiveness and defensive mindset give her a strong foundation to build on as she gains more experience at the high school and club levels.

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Brielle Cardoso | 2030 | OTVA | Newsome High School

Brielle Cardoso is already showing the ability to control a varsity offense well beyond her class. The 5'10" OPP/S from OTVA and Newsome High School brings a unique combination of setting ability and right-side firepower, giving her multiple ways to impact a match. Cardoso has been putting up some serious numbers early in the 2026 season. She recorded 42 assists, five digs and two aces in a 3-1 win over Steinbrenner on September 26, then followed that with another 33-assist performance against Riverview. Her ability to run an offense while also remaining a threat as a right-side player makes her especially intriguing. She also earned All-American honors at the 2026 AAU 14 Open level, adding national recognition to an already strong start to her high school career. With a 121-inch approach touch and the versatility to contribute as both a setter and attacker, Cardoso is a 2030 player who is absolutely worth keeping an eye on.