Cream of the Windy City Crop in 15 Open

First thing we all should be really clear on...these young ladies are FRESHMAN in high school (and one 8th grader)! They haven't even spent one full year in high school, yet they are absolute beasts on the volleyball court already. Sure, each of these players is really good skill-wise, but what really stands out for me in all of them, is their maturity and confidence on the court. Just think back to being 14-15 years old and a freshman (or middle schooler) - yeah, super awkward, right - but for some reason these gals are skilled and smart beyond their years. No awkwardness in sight.   Here are the five young players who really made their mark this year in the 15 Open Division at the Windy City Qualifier in Chicago and who are sure to become regulars here at Prep Dig in the years to come.    Lia was probably the best all-around OH I saw play over the three-day qualifier in Chicago. She has a deeper toolbox in terms of shot selection than any 2028 I have yet to see this club season, making her a very efficient attacker. My guess is that her ability to outsmart the opposing defense comes from her training (and serious success) on the beach. Lia is an ELEVEN-time beach national champ and a member of the USA U17 Beach NTDP. Her Tribe team loves to run her up the middle on the two-ball out of serve receive and she scores every time. She knows when to swing hard, when to push tip, when to roll shot to the corner - elite level stuff that she is already doing as a freshman. Add to that her insane ability to dig and pass the ball to the setter (again her beach experience!) the majority of the time, and you have a player that should be looked at by top schools for both indoor and beach. Write her name down - you'll be seeing lots of Lia in the future.     Another six-rotation OH who can both pass and hit, Sade is the highflyer of this bunch, alongside Kolby Ross. She will catch your attention right from the jump in warmups, bouncing balls near the 10' line left and right. I love a player who makes height a moot point and Sade does just that. Bello is able to hit both line and cross court with a lot of speed in her arm swing and power - and don't even think about leaving a hole in the block because she is going to exploit it. In the backrow she is a beast on defense who never quits and will quite literally go after everything. And it's a huge positive for her Houston Juniors team that she can pass and dig because it allows her to stay in the match and swing from the backrow too, giving them a lot of weapons to set. I foresee a really bright future for Sade at the next level in college with a LOT of great highlights in the both the front and back row.     I knew before Mila even took the court that she was going to be a game changer for her talented OTVA squad during the last day of play in Chicago. She exudes confidence and swagger but in a way that is not arrogant or over the top. You can tell she enjoys working hard and loves the game - as a setter she is energized by getting her teammates an open net to swing on and allowing them to put down massive kills. I love Mila's work ethic on the court where she fights to get her feet to the ball every time so she can jump set. She is able to run a quick tempo ball to the pins from almost anywhere on the court and she is pretty deceptive when doing so. On top of her great fundamentals and setting technique, Mila is an excellent server. It seemed like her OTVA squad would go on runs every time she went to serve and when it was a critical stage in the game, she always served tough and in - again, showing that she is a confident young player who relishes big moments.     First off, Jade is an EIGHTH GRADER. Let that sink in for a moment - an 8th grader who is playing and standing out in the Open division alongside girls who are in high school. When I watched her Acytve team play a really talented Circle City 15-1 squad, she was one of the best players on the court and she could do it all. Jade is a strong setter who can push the ball all the way across the court with ease and accuracy. As a setter playing with older girls, I could not believe how poised and confident she was on the court - nothing seemed to phase her. Plus, she was their go-to hitter when she was in the front row who they would set the ball to whenever they needed a side out...and she delivered. As a lefty on the right side, she can hit any shot - line, cross court and a really good tool swing off the block. This young lady has all the tools to be an amazing player in the years to come, and I look for her to be a regular name here at Prep Dig.     Kolby is a can't miss athlete who like Sade Bello will catch your eye right away during warmups. She jumps out of the gym and swings with a ton of power. This young lady doesn't take a single rep off - she's all out, all the time. Ross is able to generate so much power on every swing because she works hard to get really deep in transition and serve receive, then waits until the last minute to take a huge approach and smoke the ball. And put on your helmet when she comes inside to hit the two-ball up the middle because it is lethal, same with overpasses. Kolby also has an exceptional ability to hit a sharp and hard cross court shot inside the middle blocker, allowing her to get kills even when the block is closed. Add to all of this her excellent blocking ability (very disciplined, doesn't reach and presses way over) and you have a player who is destined to make waves in both club and college.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you loved this article, please follow our Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball">Prep Dig IN | Above The Net Volleyball</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</h3>   After following our page, take the next step and subscribe to PrepDig! By subscribing, you'll not only stay connected to the latest coverage of your favorite events, but you'll also be helping to shine a spotlight on rising volleyball talent.   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First thing we all should be really clear on...these young ladies are FRESHMAN in high school (and one 8th grader)! They haven't even spent one full year in high school, yet they are absolute beasts on the volleyball court already. Sure, each of these players is really good skill-wise, but what really stands out for me in all of them, is their maturity and confidence on the court. Just think back to being 14-15 years old and a freshman (or middle schooler) - yeah, super awkward, right - but for some reason these gals are skilled and smart beyond their years. No awkwardness in sight.