President’s Day 2026 Standouts
The focus and determination from this group of 2026s was a sign of future growth and development. Efficiency and smart choices to play the ball or not was evident watching the California athletes playing in a President’s Day event at…
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Continue ReadingThe focus and determination from this group of 2026s was a sign of future growth and development. Efficiency and smart choices to play the ball or not was evident watching the California athletes playing in a President’s Day event at The Las Vegas Classic and NCVA President’s Day. These events brought forward a few athletes to mention their self-control.
Lauren Oberg (2026) | L | DARTFROG
Two shuffle step, well, make that a regular attempt at three or four in serve receive with Lauren Oberg. Those extra steps get the ball to her midline. Additionally, when Oberg calls the ball she makes an assertive, unquestioning move. This energy is helpful along the way of securing the endline and backing up players.
Sophia Franco (2026) | OH | DARTFROG
Zoom; accelerate forward and up is the initially noticeable movement of Sophia Franco when attacking, especially on an inside set. Because of that acceleration Franco has to, and does, turn and run to transition offense. Whether it is as an off-side blocker digging or a front row outside, she is actively thinking one step ahead to the next action.
Mattea Pisani (2026) | L | LAVA
The back bump is outwardly the preferred way of Mattea Pisani to set hitters when the setter digs a hit. It is not all showtime though, she can also be counted on to get a freeball pass to target. Pisani has patience that allows her to read on incoming serve or attack and will attempt to lunge while playing a ball just outside her body.
Lindsay Chen (2026) |OH| LAVA
The up-then-down jump float serve from Lindsay Chen does indeed bring a threat of a long serving run of points. Her unbreakable, flat, all arms passing technique makes for consistent passes against float serves. Additionally, on the move, Chen balances her athletic efforts with a mindfulness of platform angle.
Arianna Machado (2026) | L | SoCal Elite
Watching Arianna Machado is interesting because it appears the coverage of court is performed as if she is patrolling. Being a rover, she also has the attentiveness and discipline to let an incoming attack travel its path out of bounds. Machado also goes above and beyond to follow the ball all the way to the line.
Jillian Albert (2026) |S| SoCal Elite
This setter is very consistent hustling to the net and talking to her teammates about where to pass the ball. Her contact point is about middle height relative to her flexion or extension and it also is fairly close to the middle of her scalp. With that contact point, Albert moves her legs with many degrees of movement to get the set to its intended destination.