Early Season Sophomore Standouts – VOL 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colorado volleyball is looking extremely competitive this high school season and a huge reason is that there are so many talented sophomore studs that are making a difference on their respective teams. It seems like almost every team this season has a few 2025s that are catching our attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the 2025's that are making everyone say, “SHE'S ONLY A SOPHOMORE??”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735724' first='Alivia' last='Eikenberg'] 2025 | </strong>Rock Canyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This pin hitter is the real deal. Don't let her height of 5'9 fool you; this kid can seriously get airborne. Eikenberg is so athletic and can hit the ball harder and faster than almost all her opponents in 5A. The ball explodes off her hand, it doesn't matter if she's on the pin or back row. &nbsp;She leads her team in kills with 125 (4 per set). She also has 14 blocks, 90 digs, and 8 aces. With Eikenberg leading the way, Rock Canyon is 8-2 so far this season in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/coachalexvb/status/1567348277586034695","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/coachalexvb/status/1567348277586034695 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Thompson Valley Phenoms</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson Valley, the reigning 4A state champions, are not new to underclassmen. In fact, they have four sophomores that are contributing to the team's current 7-0 season. With all this talent, I wouldn't be surprised if 4A sees Thompson Valley up on the state championship podium for the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735706' first='Tatum' last='Sharp'] 2025 | </strong>Thompson Valley: Top-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='735706' first='Tatum' last='Sharp'] is a middle blocker that is a force to be reckoned with. So far in the season, she has 71 kills at a 0.417 hitting percentage, and 18 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashlyn Tafoya 2025 | </strong>Thompson Valley: Tafoya is the team's setter and fearless leader. She currently boasts 209 assists, 17 aces, and 37 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735701' first='Kayla' last='Kauffman'] 2025 | </strong>Thompson Valley: Kauffman is hitting at 0.412 with 53 kills and 24 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> Avery Gibbs 2025 | </strong>Thompson Valley: Gibbs is an athletic hitter who can swing from pretty much anywhere. She has 45 kills so far this season, 7 blocks, and 20 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Chaparral Sophomore Studs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It takes a lot of mental strength to become a top scorer as an underclassman but that pressure quadruples when you are a sophomore on a 5A team competing for the state championship title. These two 2025s are rising to the occasion every week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735752' first='Zoey' last='Lenth'] 2025 | </strong>Chaparral: Lenth is a dynamic hitter with 24 blocks and 75 kills. She is quick off the net and works hard in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735718' first='Kai' last='Kofoed'] 2025 | </strong>Chaparral: Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='735718' first='Kai' last='Kofoed'] leads the wolverines in kills with 129. She also has 20 blocks and 38 digs; this athlete can do it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->