High-Impact Players to Watch This High School Season

As the new high school volleyball season approaches, these high-impact players are primed to dominate. They bring the kind of power that can change the course of a match. Over the offseason, they have refined their swings, expanded their platforms, and built the physical strength to finish points against the competition. These are confident players who thrive under pressure, delivering big plays in the biggest moments. Off the court, they set the tone with their work ethic and competitive drive, inspiring teammates to match their intensity. College coaches will want to keep a close eye on this group as they step into a season where they are not just scoring points, they are taking over matches.    [player_tooltip player_id='556996' first='Khaila' last='Jackson'], an outside hitter and defensive specialist from Murrieta Valley High School, brings energy, communication, and a team-first mindset to the court. She keeps her teammates talking on every play, celebrates every win, and believes confidence is the key to playing their best. Composed under pressure, she focuses on shaking off mistakes quickly, trusting her training, and keeping the team steady. This year she has worked to elevate her passing and defense, using her experience as an outside hitter to better read opposing attackers and strengthen her fundamentals.   Off the court, Khaila's years in Girl Scouts have shaped her into a committed leader who values diligence, hard work, and making a difference. Known by her coaches as the player who is always in the gym, she embraces every chance to improve. “I try to promote positive energy, because when the team is confident they play better,” she said. Looking ahead, she hopes to major in graphic design and dreams of creating a logo for a professional volleyball team. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='740774' first='Taylor' last='Valerio'], an outside hitter and opposite from Mater Dei, focuses on clear communication and bringing positive energy that keeps her team confident and locked in. She stays grounded in fundamentals, trusts her training, and uses deep breaths to reset and maintain a strong mindset. During club she has been intentional about developing her deep angle shot, a skill that not only adds versatility to her offense but also creates space for her teammates to score.   Known as supportive and energetic, Taylor is always ready to lend a hand and contribute to a positive environment on and off the court. “I try to communicate effectively and bring positive energy to keep everyone focused and confident,” she said. Away from volleyball, she volunteers at her church as a confirmation leader through a program called Lighthouse. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780037' first='Sara' last='Vlaskovits'], an opposite and outside hitter from Newbury Park High School, thrives in the role she describes as sometimes being “like a trash can,” where the ball is thrown her way in less-than-ideal situations and she is expected to finish the play. She embraces that challenge, finding smart solutions such as tipping to corners, hitting deep, tooling off hands, and recycling the ball. She makes it a priority to maximize every good contact her teammates provide, especially off strong passes, digs, or sets. In high-pressure moments, she stays aggressive, uses positive self-talk, and visualizes the open spots she can attack to force opponents to earn their points.   Sara has focused on deliberately hitting off hands to avoid getting stalled by bigger blocks. She brings a stable, calm presence to the court, pairing composure with intentional play. “I always want to use good contacts by my teammates to the fullest,” she said. Off the court, she enjoys baking and spending time with her cats. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='807649' first='Saige' last='Sauvao'], an outside hitter from Los Alamitos High School, brings relentless energy and a competitive edge to every match. She hypes up her teammates with constant encouragement, finding ways to connect and keep the mood light while staying locked in on the game. In high-pressure moments, she reminds herself and her team why they play, shakes off mistakes without showing frustration, and stays ready for the next ball. She believes composure is contagious and works to model it for those around her.   Saige has focused on purposeful shot placement, making quick reads on the block to decide whether to attack line, swing hard angle, or tip for a point. “When my setter sets me and I see where the block is set up, I want to be able to know exactly where to place the ball,” she said. Passionate and driven, Saige's presence lifts those around her both in competition and in practice. Off the court, she is deeply rooted in her faith, which guides her values and decisions. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='733996' first='Olivia' last='Urias'], an outside hitter from Sunny Hills High School, is a steady source of energy and encouragement for her team. She celebrates her teammates' successes, hypes them up after big plays, and offers reassurance when mistakes happen to keep them focused on the next opportunity. In high-pressure situations, she locks in on the game one point at a time, keeping her focus sharp and her composure steady.   Olivia has worked to strengthen her blocking to be more effective at the net and add value to her role as an outside hitter. She is also developing her topspin serve to create more scoring opportunities and increase her ace count. “I try to bring energy to my team, especially when they do something good,” she said. Competitive, energetic, and supportive, Olivia brings a presence that lifts her team on and off the court. Away from the gym, she enjoys baking and playing beach volleyball. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='478247' first='Marli' last='Lauren Richardson'], an outside, pin, and defensive specialist from Campbell Hall, plays a well-rounded game built on smart decision-making. She adjusts her attack to match the defense, whether that means hitting with power, tipping to open space, or finding ways to keep the rally alive. Her outgoing personality and humor help lift her team, and when she is not on the court, she is the loudest voice cheering from the sideline. In high-pressure situations, she focuses on giving herself grace, adapting quickly, and keeping her composure to help her team stay steady.   Marli has been working on increasing her vertical and overall strength, using her basketball and track background to build explosiveness and precision in her attack. “I know that my arm swing and precision while hitting will be much better by the end of this summer,” she said. Off the court, she is known for making her teammates and coaches laugh, helping to create a cohesive, connected team environment. She is eager to carry her athletic growth and leadership into the upcoming high school season. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='551511' first='Mikayla' last='Lang'], an outside hitter who also plays opposite for Trabuco Hills High School, focuses on keeping her teammates motivated and energized so they can push through challenges together. She plays with a clear head, enjoying the moment and refusing to let mistakes take her out of the game. Her goal is to keep the team connected and confident from first serve to match point.   This year, Mikayla has been working on out-of-system hitting and continuing to improve her passing, knowing that strong ball control is essential at every level. “You can never be perfect no matter how much you practice, but you can limit mistakes and keep getting better,” she said. Positive and team-oriented, she values the friendships and relationships she has built through volleyball, including those with past coaches she still connects with at tournaments. A career highlight was winning the 18-1 SCVA Championship without losing a single set, and she is ready to carry that success and momentum into her upcoming high school season. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Throughout August, as tryouts, preseason training, and early matches unfold, high school players enter a critical stretch of growth, leadership, and visibility. It's the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through Recruitable Credentials — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.   🙏 Parents & Supporters — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

As the new high school volleyball season approaches, these high-impact players are primed to dominate. They bring the kind of power that can change the course of a match. Over the offseason, they have refined their swings, expanded their platforms, and built the physical strength to finish points against the competition. These are confident players who thrive under pressure, delivering big plays in the biggest moments. Off the court, they set the tone with their work ethic and competitive drive, inspiring teammates to match their intensity. College coaches will want to keep a close eye on this group as they step into a season where they are not just scoring points, they are taking over matches.