Sophomore Hitters Heating Up the Exposure Tour: NorCal

<p>The sophomore class brought serious firepower to the Prep Dig Exposure Tour in Northern California. This group of 2028 outside hitters impressed with their athleticism, shot variety, defensive grit, and ability to take over rallies. From taller six-rotation prospects to high-jumping, high-energy attackers or a mix somewhere in between, the class was loaded with rising talent ready to make immediate varsity and club impacts.</p>   <p>Here's a full breakdown of the standout sophomore outside hitters who turned heads throughout the event.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='886524' first='Skyla' last='Martin']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9186-crop-2250x1478-1764479062.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-912592" style="width:231px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='886524' first='Skyla' last='Martin'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Martin is a 5'9" outside hitter from San Leandro High School. Martin brings a fast arm, a fearless approach, and the ability to hit sharp angles that make defenders scramble. She thrives in high-tempo systems and showed consistent elevation on her approach, allowing her to swing over or around blocks with ease. She also contributes heavily in the back row with quick reactions and smart ball control, making her a reliable six-rotation option. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730225' first='Faye' last='Dobson']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9185-crop-2250x1478-1764479296.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-912597" style="width:231px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='730225' first='Faye' last='Dobson'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Dobson is a 5'11" outside hitter from Big Valley Christian. Dobson was one of the most imposing physical presences in the sophomore group. Her long frame, smooth footwork, and ability to hit high, heavy balls make her a natural point scorer. She delivers a powerful cross-court swing and has an emerging range to the deep corners. Her blocking is great, and she showed flashes of dominance, shutting down opponent pins.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='568081' first='Ava' last='Marie Smith']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/93-Ava-Marie-Smith.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-790030" style="width:200px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='568081' first='Ava' last='Marie Smith'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Smith is a 5'9" outside hitter from Rodriguez High School. Smith plays with poise far beyond her age. She passes cleanly, makes smart attack decisions in tight situations, and brings a consistent top-spin jump attack that forces opponents to stay disciplined. One of her strongest traits is efficiency. She puts balls away without overpowering, relying instead on timing, placement, and high volleyball IQ. I spent a lot of time today looking for Smith after another scout messaged me about her, and I was determined to see her on the court. It was well worth the time it took to find her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kai Bailey</h2>   <p>Bailey is a 6' outside hitter from Lodi High School. Bailey was one of the most dynamic and fluid athletes in the gym. With her exceptional height, she has a natural terminal swing that elevates her above the block and gives her access to angles many players can't reach. She showed strong back-row attack potential and demonstrated the ability to score in transition, even when the play broke down. Her upside is enormous, and I look forward to seeing great things from this athlete going forward.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='804317' first='Haylee' last='Hancock']</h2>   <p>Hancock is a 5'7" outside hitter from Monte Vista High School. Hancock may be undersized compared to some of her peers, but her explosiveness and confidence make her a standout. She gets off the ground quickly, taking fast approaches that catch blockers unprepared. Her defense is one of her biggest strengths—she reads hitters well, moves with purpose, and keeps plays alive with quality touches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='907664' first='Cali' last='Silva']</h2>   <p>Silva is a 5'9" outside hitter from Oakdale High School. Silva is a strong, steady, and efficient attacker with a knack for finding the open court. She plays with a composed demeanor, rarely forcing errors, and often winning long rallies with smart placement or well-timed swings. Her serve/receive was particularly steady, and she showed the tools to be a true six-rotation outside at the next level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='838101' first='Danica' last='Flores']</h2>   <p>Flores is a 5'6" outside hitter from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto. Flores plays with passion, grit, and nonstop energy. She jumps extremely well for her size, generating great power from her approach. What sets her apart is her defensive presence. She covers tons of court, lays out for tough balls, and extends rallies with remarkable consistency. She is the type of player who shifts momentum with effort alone, which is a very valuable commodity.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='908461' first='Malia' last='Fa'ataualofa']</h2>   <p>Fa'ataualofa is a 5'8" outside hitter from Lathrop High School. Fa‘ataualofa combines raw power with polished control. Her arm swing is quick and authoritative, and she hits a heavy ball that defenders struggle to absorb. She showed strong back-row play and great communication, often quarterbacking her side of the court. She was one of the most reliable scorers on the floor and one of the most valuable defensive players as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='516224' first='Ashlyn' last='Malone']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9187.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-912595" style="width:168px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='516224' first='Ashlyn' last='Malone'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Malone is a 5'10" outside hitter from Ripon High School. Malone was impressive with her size, elevation, and presence at the net. She has a clean approach and a smooth arm swing that makes her attacks look effortless. Her blocking was also noteworthy as she reads attackers well and uses her length to close seams and take away angles. Her combination of height and fluidity gives her major long-term potential.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maya Nettles-Barcelon</h2>   <p>Nettles-Barcelon is a 5'5" outside hitter from Christian Brothers High School. Nettles-Barcelon is all heart and all hustle. She plays with an intensity that makes her impossible to ignore. Her versatility and plain athleticism make her stand out. She can swing aggressively, defend with speed, and keep her team in system with stable passing. She's a “glue player” who raises the level of everyone around her with constant communication and relentless effort.</p>   <p></p>

The sophomore class brought serious firepower to the Prep Dig Exposure Tour in Northern California. This group of 2028 outside hitters impressed with their athleticism, shot variety, defensive grit, and ability to take over rallies. From taller six-rotation prospects to high-jumping, high-energy attackers or a mix somewhere in between, the class was loaded with rising talent ready to make immediate varsity and club impacts.