My "Starting 7" from the 2029 Class

The Prep Dig Exposure Tour in SoCal brought together some of the most promising prospects in the 2029 class, and after watching the competition up close, I put together my “Starting 7.” These are the players I'd build a team around if I had to draft players directly from the Exposure Tour Event.   The lineup includes two outside hitters, a rightside hitter, two middle hitters, a libero, and a setter. Each athlete earned their spot through standout skill, consistency, and the ability to impact the game in important moments. Coach Kha's Starting 7 would be as follows:    At 5'11", Rachel stood out as one of the most well-rounded outside hitters at the event. She used her length effectively at the net, putting up a strong block, and found ways to score from all areas of the court. Her hitting IQ was especially impressive, consistently tooling the block and making smart decisions in transition. Every competitive team needs a dependable, high-impact outside, and Rachel fits that role perfectly in my “Starting 7.”     To build a strong team, you need an outside hitter who can truly “do it all,” and Quinn fits that mold perfectly. She has a technically sound arm swing and transitions off the net with ease, making herself a consistent attacking option in every rally. On top of her offensive ability, she's a dependable passer and a strong defender who keeps plays alive. Teams thrive when their outsides are reliable on both sides of the ball, and Quinn is exactly that kind of player.       I was extremely impressed with Sofia's presence on the right side. She is an explosive lefty with great touch on the ball, and she showed the ability to score in a variety of ways. I watched her hit from several different setters, and her ability to adjust to each setter's tempo and style was outstanding. Every team needs a right-side hitter who can be a primary offensive option, and Sofia fits that role with ease. When she gets the ball, you can trust she's going to make something positive happen.     When thinking about a "Starting 7," I knew very quickly that Yemaya would be one of the middles I picked. At 6'3", she dominates the net on both sides of the ball, bringing a physical presence that changes the momentum of rallies. She's not only a force offensively and defensively, but she also brings an energy that lifts her teammates and raises the team's intensity. With Yemaya holding down the middle, any coach can feel confident in the strength and consistency of their block.     Fern was one of the most dangerous middles I watched all day. She transitions quickly, gets off the ground fast, and adds real pace to the ball when she swings. She can attack in both directions and showed great awareness by mixing in tips when the situation called for it. What impressed me most was her ability to time the set consistently, no matter the speed or height of the ball. Having a middle who can pressure the defense and create space for the pins is essential, and Fern brings exactly that kind of presence.     Vivienne is a rock-solid libero with impressive ball control, but what really sets her apart are all the little things she does that never show up on a stat sheet. She communicates nonstop, covers her hitters, throws her body on the floor for tough balls, and stays locked in throughout every rally. She plays with noticeable passion, and it shows in her body language and effort. With Vivienne leading the back row, any team instantly becomes tougher, more organized, and far more confident defensively.     The first thing that stood out about Sydney's setting was her footwork. Before you can deliver a great set, you have to get to the ball, and Sydney does that with ease. Add that to her ability to jump set most passes while keeping the defense guessing until the last moment, and you have a setter who can run a high-level offense. Her height gives her an additional advantage, allowing her to put up a solid block and score when she is in the front row. She also has a consistent topspin jump serve that adds immediate value behind the service line. With all of these strengths, Sydney is the type of setter who can elevate not just the "starting 7" but any team she runs.

The Prep Dig Exposure Tour in SoCal brought together some of the most promising prospects in the 2029 class, and after watching the competition up close, I put together my “Starting 7.” These are the players I'd build a team around if I had to draft players directly from the Exposure Tour Event.