Small School Kids Who Play Big Club Ball

Across Arizona, some of the most competitive, relentless, and game-changing athletes are grinding it out in smaller programs — and every time they step on the court, they prove that divisions, enrollments, and labels mean absolutely nothing when it comes to true ability and talent. When the competition gets tougher, they don't back down — they rise to it.   These players consistently show they belong, stepping into the Open division and going toe-to-toe with anyone in the gym. Their toughness, skill, and confidence translate at every level, and they continue to make a serious impact on some of the top club teams in the state.   And the best part? We know this is just the beginning. There's still plenty of small-school gold out there, ready to be discovered — and we can't wait to keep finding the next wave of standouts making noise.   But for now, here's a look at the small-school kids making big-time noise on the club scene:    [player_tooltip player_id='552844' first='Sienna' last='Cathey'] is the definition of a game-changer and a true cornerstone player for both Gilbert Christian and AZ Sky 17 Gold. Her court awareness sets her apart immediately — she reads the game at a high level, anticipates plays before they develop, and consistently puts herself in position to make momentum-shifting touches.   Offensively, she brings an aggressive, confident attack that her team leans on when points matter most. Whether it's a high ball in crunch time or a fast tempo swing in transition, Sienna delivers with authority and isn't afraid to take over in big moments. She scores in bunches and applies constant pressure on opposing defenses.   Against some of the toughest competition in the Open division, her steady presence and ability to perform under pressure have been a major reason AZ Sky continues to hold its spot as a frontrunner. Simply put, when the match gets tight, Sienna is the player you want the ball in the hands of.     [player_tooltip player_id='826562' first='Jodie' last='Jones'] has been a key player for 17 Blue this season, just as she was for her PCDS squad. A force on the pin, her heavy arm swing brings serious power, effortlessly ripping balls crosscourt or down the line and terminating in system like it's second nature.   When the set goes her way, it's usually over. She doesn't just swing hard — she swings smart, finding seams, tooling blocks, and delivering in the biggest moments.   And defensively? Just as dangerous. Her block is physical, disciplined, and tough to beat. She presses over the net, seals angles, and consistently takes away an opponent's go-to shots, turning the right side into a no-fly zone. Even when she's not recording a stuff block, she's slowing hitters down and creating easy transition opportunities.     [player_tooltip player_id='895335' first='Elyse' last='Wolf'] is no stranger to high-level volleyball, as she was a key contributor for her team winning the 3A State Championship. She's the kind of outside that changes the tone of a match the second she steps on the floor. This is exactly what she's doing for EVJ 16 Premier.   A true terminal attacker, her swing puts serious heat on the ball, forcing defenses to play on their heels all match long. When she's in system, it's almost automatic — high, fast, sharp angles, deep seams — she can score from anywhere and isn't afraid to take the big swing in big moments.   But what really separates her is the way she impacts both sides of the net. At the pin, she's a physical, disciplined blocker who presses over and seals seams and turns the net into her own wall. Even when she's not stuffing balls straight down, she's creating soft touches and transition opportunities that put her team in a good position. She's a go-getter, and we enjoy watching her play.     [player_tooltip player_id='819909' first='Mathilde' last='Gardner'] was a major piece of the puzzle in leading her SCA 2A squad to a State Championship, and her presence on the court is impossible to ignore. The lefty brings a rare and dynamic offensive advantage, unleashing a heavy, high-contact swing that consistently puts defenders on their heels and stretches blocks out of system. Her arm speed and ability to score from multiple angles make her a true matchup problem on the pin.   But she doesn't just impact the match offensively. Gardner's energy is contagious — she competes hard every rally, elevates the tempo of her team, and brings a confident edge that fuels momentum. At the net, she's just as dominant defensively, pressing over and sealing space with a physical block that's incredibly tough to tool or hit around. Attackers are forced to rethink their shots when she's in the front row.   Simply put, Mathilde is a high-impact, two-way player who affects every phase of the game — and she's making a big difference on AZ Sky 16 Gold.     Layla brings a level of maturity to the court that you simply don't see every day. After dominating the 2A scene as a go-to outside for PCDS, she's carried that same confidence and production seamlessly into club with Revolution 16 Elite — and hasn't missed a beat.   She's a true six-rotation weapon, impacting the match from everywhere on the floor. In the front row, she delivers powerful, terminal swings that shift momentum instantly, while her back-row attacks keep defenses honest and create constant scoring pressure. Her versatility makes her incredibly difficult to game plan against.   Defensively, she holds down middle back, reads hitters well, covers a ton of court, and consistently turns tough plays into transition opportunities for her team. But what really separates her is her presence — calm, composed, and steady in high-pressure moments. She leads with confidence, communicates, and brings energy that fuels her teammates, celebrating big plays and keeping the group locked in.     illy Bliss is a high-impact presence in the middle — a blocker you have to account for and an attacker you can't afford to ignore. She helped lead her 3A NCS team to the state championship match, and she's contributing equally on Sky 15 Gold.   Lilly runs the middle with confidence and tempo, getting up quick and staying available in transition. Her quicks are fast, aggressive, and tough to track, and she does a great job finding gaps in the block to terminate. She's the kind of middle who demands attention, opening up opportunities for her pins while still putting points on the board herself.   Lilly competes hard every play, brings consistent energy, and celebrates the little wins that build momentum for her side. She plays with toughness and pride — the exact mindset you want anchoring your front row.     During the high school season, Jenna quarterbacks the offense at Basis Phoenix, and in club she continues that leadership role as a key setter for Storm 17 Lightning.   What stands out immediately is the tempo she plays with. Jenna does an excellent job pushing a quick, fast-paced middle attack that keeps opposing blockers guessing and opens up the entire floor for her pins. She understands how to stretch defenses, mixing speeds and locations while keeping her hitters in rhythm. Her ability to establish the middle early makes her offense incredibly tough to scheme against.   Her ball placement is another major strength. Jenna delivers hittable, consistent sets from all areas of the court — in system and out of system — allowing her attackers to stay aggressive and confident. Whether it's a tight window on a quick set or a high ball in transition, she puts the ball exactly where it needs to be. That precision leads to efficient swings and big scoring runs.     As a 1A Player of the Year with multiple state championships already under her belt, Nicole is no stranger to performing on the biggest stages. Winning has become the standard for her, and she carries herself with the confidence, composure, and experience of an athlete who knows exactly what it takes to close out matches when the lights are the brightest.   Her left-handed attack is a true weapon, especially down the line where she consistently catches defenders off guard. The angle, pace, and heaviness of her swing make it incredibly tough to defend, and she has a knack for terminating in high-pressure moments. When the set goes her way, there's a strong chance the rally is ending.   Simply put, Nicole is a proven winner and a high-impact, two-way player who thrives when the stakes are highest — the kind of competitor every championship-caliber program is built around.     This 2A State Champ is already proving why she earned that title this season. Now suiting up for Revolution 15 Elite, [player_tooltip player_id='891737' first='Lilly' last='Lach'] continues to make her presence felt as one of the most reliable defensive anchors on the floor.   In serve receive, she's steady and confident — absorbing pace, delivering clean passes, and allowing her setters to stay in rhythm. But what really separates Lilly is her motor. She doesn't take plays off. She's flying sideline to sideline, extending rallies, chasing down second contacts, and making the hustle plays that completely shift momentum.   Simply put, [player_tooltip player_id='891737' first='Lilly' last='Lach'] is the kind of libero every team needs — steady, fearless, and willing to do the dirty work that wins matches.     [player_tooltip player_id='888770' first='Emery' last='Ossenfort'] is the kind of outside hitter every team wants in crunch time — reliable, explosive, and automatic when the play breaks down. She made a huge impact for her PCDS team and she's doing the same for Sky 15 Gold.   When rallies get chaotic and the ball is pushed high to the pin, she's the one you trust to clean it up and put it away. Out of system, Emery is especially dangerous. She has a natural ability to stay composed, take smart swings, and still find ways to terminate against a formed block. High balls, tight sets, or off-tempo touches don't faze her — she adjusts midair, sees the court well, and scores with confidence. That ability to turn broken plays into points is a huge momentum shifter for her team.   Technically, her approach is about as clean as it gets. Mechanically sound and repeatable, she creates great separation, loads efficiently, and generates impressive power through contact. The result is a heavy, high-reaching swing that's tough to defend and even tougher to dig cleanly. She plays fast, balanced, and under control, which allows her to be consistent from start to finish.     Madison was a major piece of the puzzle in NCS Crusaders' run to a 2A State Runner-Up finish this past season, and she's carried that same edge and intensity straight into club with Sky 17 Blue. The competitive fire she plays with is constant — every rally, every swing, every touch — and it shows in the way she impacts matches from start to finish.   Her versatility is what really makes her stand out. Madison has proven she can be effective from multiple spots along the net, contributing both on the right side and in the middle. That flexibility makes her incredibly valuable, and even tougher for opponents to game plan against. No matter where she lines up, she finds ways to score.   Her swing is heavy and controlled, and she does a great job mixing power with smart shot selection, finding deep corners and seams in the block. She doesn't just hit hard — she hits to score. That combination of physicality and IQ makes her a constant offensive threat.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   We can't wait to see what the rest of the 2026 club season will bring!   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Across Arizona, some of the most competitive, relentless, and game-changing athletes are grinding it out in smaller programs — and every time they step on the court, they prove that divisions, enrollments, and labels mean absolutely nothing when it comes to true ability and talent. When the competition gets tougher, they don't back down — they rise to it.