Sophomores and Freshmen to Follow

The Dave Mohs Tournament was hosted across several schools, including Edison, Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar, Marina, and Newport Harbor. For college coaches looking ahead, the underclass talent was impossible to ignore as they went head to head with some of the biggest Division I recruits, including [player_tooltip player_id='545271' first='Ella' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='492745' first='Kate' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='492164' first='Megan' last='Hodges'], [player_tooltip player_id='494341' first='Ashton' last='Nelson'], and Savannah Sheridan. These 2028 and 2029 athletes are already playing beyond their years, showing poise, skill, and the kind of upside that projects to the next level. Six players in particular stood out as the sophomores and freshmen you will want to follow closely.    [player_tooltip player_id='492164' first='Megan' last='Hodges'] has to be on the board of every top-tier college program in the country. A 2028 from San Juan Hills High School and TStreet Volleyball Club, she was one of just 12 athletes selected by USAV to represent the United States at the NORCECA Tournament in Ontario, Canada, where she competed at the Girls U19 Pan American Games. Most recently, she was named the MVP of the Dave Mohs Tournament, a testament to her impact against elite competition.   Tall and talented, the only thing holding her back is simply more hours on the court and the fact that she is still young. At this tournament, her steadying presence was impossible to miss. She handled movement with balance and control, and her platform consistently delivered balls that kept the offense in rhythm. At the net, she is virtually unstoppable. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meganh0dges?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='492164' first='Megan' last='Hodges']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='557446' first='Piper' last='Coady'] plays with a calm confidence that sets the tone for Newport. Her game, however, is anything but calm. Tall and lean, she uses her length well, pressing over with purpose on the block and giving her back row a clean read. On offense, she attacks with a lightning-quick arm swing that creates problems for defenders. A highly sought-after sophomore, she is only beginning to show how high her ceiling can climb, and this season will be a key step in her rise. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pipercoady2028?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='557446' first='Piper' last='Coady']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='508845' first='Victoria' last='Keller'] continues to impress with her consistency and competitiveness. She reads quickly on defense and delivers sets with a steady hand, keeping the ball clean and in tempo for her hitters. What stands out is her ability to anticipate the game before it develops, putting herself and her team in strong positions. Above all, her competitiveness shines through, every rally shows how badly she wants to win, and that edge makes her a difference-maker on the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vkeller_volleyball?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='508845' first='Victoria' last='Keller']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='720339' first='Summer' last='Tukua'] is everywhere on the court, playing with a high-level volleyball IQ. She attacks with variety, mixing power, roll shots, and smart tips, while showing the ability to score off any set in any zone and at any height. Tukua reads the block well and consistently finds ways to beat it. For the first time, I saw how she responded to a passing slump, and she impressed by converting her frustration against a Division I server into an opportunity to score from the back row. What stands out most about her style of play is the determination behind every touch. You can see how much she wants it. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/summertukuavolleyball?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='720339' first='Summer' last='Tukua']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='776571' first='Naomi' last='Barbosa'] anchors the middle with a strong block and disciplined footwork. She reads the biggest hitters on the floor and responds with solid fundamentals, closing quickly and pressing with her whole body. Barbosa's presence at the net forces opponents to adjust, making her a key defensive piece for her team. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/naomi.barbosa_vb?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='776571' first='Naomi' last='Barbosa']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='769832' first='Maya' last='Casey'], a freshman on varsity, makes her presence known in the back row with her ability to dig some of the hardest swings, including against high-level attackers D1 bound attackers. She's a vocal court communicator who organizes her defense and provides confidence for her team. Casey also adds value from the service line, where she delivers consistently tough serves. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mayacasey_vball2029?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='769832' first='Maya' last='Casey']</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='756179' first='Chandler' last='Short'] is a freshman setter with poise beyond her age. She has range with her serving, delivering both a heavy jump serve and a clean float. On defense, she digs tough swings and transitions with smooth footwork to deliver graceful, in-tempo sets. Short also shows offensive creativity, using two-hand tips to catch defenses off guard. Her setting looks effortless, and her potential to lead an offense is clear. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chandlershortvb?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow [player_tooltip player_id='756179' first='Chandler' last='Short']</a>    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <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 is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/image_cf4e03.png" alt="" class="wp-image-885470" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></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" />   September high school volleyball is in full swing, with players finding their rhythm as two of the nation's premier events approach. The Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona provide stages for athletes to showcase growth, leadership, and competitive drive. It is the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey as they compete in front of college coaches and elevate their game against top-tier competition.   🔥 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

The Dave Mohs Tournament was hosted across several schools, including Edison, Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar, Marina, and Newport Harbor. For college coaches looking ahead, the underclass talent was impossible to ignore as they went head to head with some of the biggest Division I recruits, including Ella Olson Ella Olson 5'9" | OH Newport Harbor | 2027 State #49 Nation CA , Kate Jackson Kate Jackson 5'11" | OH/DS/L Santa Margarita Catholic | 2027 State CA , Megan Hodges Megan Hodges 6'5" | MB San Juan Hills | 2028 State CA , Ashton Nelson Ashton Nelson 6'3" | OH San Clemente | 2026 CA , and Savannah Sheridan. These 2028 and 2029 athletes are already playing beyond their years, showing poise, skill, and the kind of upside that projects to the next level. Six players in particular stood out as the sophomores and freshmen you will want to follow closely.