Class of 2027: Uncommitted Stat Leaders Making a Difference

From dynamic setters to powerful outside hitters and everything in between, these rising stars have caught our attention and are still on the market to be picked up by a talented program to play at the next level. With the current season reaching the halfway mark, we've already seen them making a difference on the court for their school teams.   In this feature, we highlight some of the most exciting AZ stat leaders from the class of 2027—we know the future is bright for all of these talented athletes.   Want to know who they are? Read on.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setters</h2>    Madi has firmly established herself this season, ranking #2 in the 3A conference and #11 overall in Arizona for assists. She runs the Payson offense with poise and precision, showing calm control even in high-pressure situations. And she's not just a setter — with 101 digs so far, she's a key presence in the back row as well.   Her impact on the court is undeniable. Madi has stacked up impressive performances, including 30 assists against San Tan Foothills, 44 against ALA-Ironwood, and 33 more against Benjamin Franklin. She's everywhere — and her mindset is clear: no pass is too tough to turn into a play.   Madi has earned every bit of recognition coming her way, and we're excited to see what she delivers next.     Makenna is a standout setter, currently ranked #4 in assists across 6A and #12 overall in the state of Arizona. This season, she hit a major milestone — joining the 1,000 assists club — thanks in large part to the nearly 400 assists she's already tallied in her junior year alone. But her impact doesn't end there: she's also added 20 aces and 107 digs to her stat line.   In a dominant 3-set sweep over South Mountain, Makenna dished out 27 assists to guide her team to victory. She nearly doubled that effort in a 5-set battle against Camp Verde, racking up an incredible 43 assists in a match that went down to the wire.   With her sharp decision-making, consistency, and court leadership, Makenna continues to be a driving force as the season progresses.     Ainsley reached the 1,000-assist milestone early this season — a remarkable achievement, especially as just a junior. After recording 409 assists as a sophomore, she's already matched that total halfway through this year, showcasing her rapid growth and consistency as a setter. She's ranked #3 in the 3A conference and 11 overall for assists in Arizona.   She's been the engine behind the Trojans' offense, leading with confidence and composure. At the Westwood Tournament of Champions, Ainsley's quick tempo and smart decision-making kept top-tier 5A and 6A teams on their heels, playing a crucial role in her team's run to the Final Four.   With her poise and playmaking ability, there's no doubt Ainsley will continue to lead the Trojans to even greater success.     Don't let the size of her school fool you — Aleena is a small-school setter making a big impact. She's currently ranked #3 in 2A and #8 statewide in assists, with 815 career assists and counting. With 407 of those coming just this season, she's well on her way to joining the 1,000-assist club. Trivium runs on Aleena's precision, consistency, and court awareness.   She's got a strong connection with her hitters and a habit of making smart decisions in the game's most critical moments. That poise was on full display at the Epic Tournament, where Trivium — the only 2A team in the Diamond Division — held their own against some of Arizona's top programs under Aleena's leadership.   Can she take them beyond last year's semifinal finish? Time will tell — but if her current performance is any indication, she's more than ready.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberos</h2>    Kira has truly elevated her game this season as the starting libero for the Huskies. Currently ranked #7 in digs across the 6A conference, she has racked up an impressive 192 digs so far—which makes sense when you watch her sharp court awareness.   She's had several standout performances, including a gritty showing against Casteel during the House of Payne Tournament, where she notched a remarkable 32 digs in a hard-fought 2-1 match loss. More recently, Kira anchored the back row in a dominant sweep over Sunnyslope, contributing 25 digs to the victory.   With her consistency, leadership, and ability to read the game, Kira is a true force on defense—and there's no doubt she'll continue making a major impact as the season progresses.     Isla is making a name for herself in the 6A conference, currently ranked #10 in digs with 172 on the season. She's also been a key playmaker, racking up 39 assists and keeping her team in rhythm even when out of system. What truly separates Isla as a libero is her sharp court awareness and strong communication — both vital to her team's defensive success.   Earlier this month, Isla was instrumental in her team's 4-set win over Red Mountain, locking down the back row with 17 digs. She's consistently hit double-digit digs throughout the season, proving she's not just consistent — she's clutch.   With performances like these, there's no doubt Isla will continue to be a defensive force as the season heats up.     Anela is making a major impact this season for Pinnacle. Currently ranked #9 in 6A for digs, she's become a key force in the Pioneers' backcourt. With 39 assists to her name, she's not only locking down the defense but also helping drive the offense out of system.   One of the most impressive aspects of Anela's game is her ability to be exactly where she needs to be—whether it's covering hitters, picking up block touches, or extending rallies with smart, controlled digs. She consistently gives her hitters second and third chances, keeping plays alive that would otherwise be over.   In a huge four-set upset over Horizon, Anela's defensive presence was undeniable. She tallied 20 digs in the match, leaving everything on the floor and setting the tone for the team's victory. Averaging 11 digs per match, she's steadily closing in on the 1,000 career digs milestone.   We've only begun to see what this defensive powerhouse is capable of.     Although her home is at a small school, she plays incredibly big. Mackenzie is currently ranked #2 in the 2A conference and #7 in Arizona for digs. Her total number this season to date is 244. She's also keeping her team aggressively attacking out of system, with an impressive 39 assists.   Earlier this month she held one of her best defensive games against Rancho Solano in a 3 sweep match with 22 digs to show. More recently, she contributed in a big way to her team taking 2nd place in the Epic Tourney in the platinum division with 22 digs against PCDS to propel them into the semi finals of the tournament.   We can't wait to continue to watch this rising star shine.     Ella is the backbone of the Red Mountain defense, anchoring the team with relentless consistency and grit. She currently ranks #4 in 6A and #12 in the entire state of Arizona for digs. With 234 digs and 39 aces already under her belt at just the halfway point of the season, Ella is putting up standout numbers.   Some of her most memorable performances include a 4-set battle against powerhouse Casteel, where she notched 20 digs to keep her team in contention. She also tallied 19 digs in a dominant 3-set sweep over Round Valley.   As the season enters its final stretch, there's no doubt Ella will continue to be a force in 6A.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pins</h2>    Addison is making a major statement this season, currently ranked #2 in all of Arizona and #1 in 2A for kills, with 283 and counting. At this pace, she's well on track to reach the 1,000-kill milestone. As Round Valley's go-to hitter, she's been a consistent force, swinging at a solid .247 average.   But Addison isn't just dominant at the net — she's just as dangerous in the back row, racking up 137 digs so far. Her ability to contribute in all six rotations makes her one of the most well-rounded players in 2A.   She's delivered standout performances all season, including 17 kills in a thrilling 4-set battle against Mogollon and 13 more in a sweep over Chinle. If she keeps this level of play going, there's no question she'll maintain her impressive ranking.     Sophia has been a standout force this season, currently ranked #7 in Arizona and #4 in the 4A conference for kills. With 241 kills, 20 aces, and 96 digs to her name, she's a true two-way threat — making an impact on both offense and defense.   Her season is filled with big-time performances, including a 22-kill showing in Thunderbird's sweep over Greenway and 17 kills against North Valley Christian during the Epic Tournament. Whether it's a regular matchup or a high-stakes tournament, Sophia continues to rise to the occasion.   As the season progresses, we're excited to see her leadership continue to elevate her team — and there's no doubt she's just getting started.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middles</h2>    Faith is a dominant force at the net — a true game-changer for her team. She currently leads the 3A conference and ranks #2 in all of Arizona for blocks, with a staggering 80 on the season. Opponents struggle to find a way around the wall she builds, making her one of the toughest middle blockers to play against in the state.   But Faith's impact doesn't stop at defense. She's just as lethal on offense, swinging at an impressive .303 hitting average and racking up 185 kills so far. What really sets her apart, though, is her versatility — with 53 digs from the back row, she's proving she's not just a dominant middle, but a true all-around athlete. It's a rare stat line for a middle, and a testament to her hustle, awareness, and all-out effort.   With the way she's playing, it's clear Faith is far from finished. We can't wait to see what kind of numbers she'll put up by the time November rolls around.     Emma has been turning heads in the 5A conference this season. Currently ranked #2 in 5A and #11 statewide for total blocks with 46, she's been a dominant force at the net. Offensively, she's making an impact as well, posting a solid .227 hitting percentage and delivering 21 aces from the service line.   Earlier this month, Emma had a standout performance against Campo Verde, hitting an impressive .541 in a four-set thriller that ended in a Knights victory. Her consistent kill average has become a cornerstone of the team's offensive success this season.   We're excited to see what she brings in the second half of the season.     Leiiani has been a dominant defensive force for the Basha Bears this season, earning her spot as the #10 blocker in the highly competitive 6A division with 38 total blocks — and she's not slowing down. Her presence at the net is undeniable: tenacious, powerful, and always locked in.   Offensively, she's just as reliable, maintaining a strong .227 hitting average. With a fast, explosive approach and excellent connection with her setters, her attacks are tough to read and even harder to stop.   There's still plenty of season left, and Leiiani is poised to make an even bigger impact down the stretch.

From dynamic setters to powerful outside hitters and everything in between, these rising stars have caught our attention and are still on the market to be picked up by a talented program to play at the next level. With the current season reaching the halfway mark, we've already seen them making a difference on the court for their school teams.