What High Level 2028s Are Playing Up on 17s This Season?

When I watch 17s, I'm usually searching on if they are committed or not. And there are some I am a little surprised when they aren't. Oh, it's because they are playing up an age group. Their time will come. Always exciting to see new names and what they do playing against an older group. Here are some high level 2028s to note that are playing up an age group!   *More 2028s to come!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/RG1A0274.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-941002" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:354px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Madlen Gloessner</figcaption></figure>    Such a fun weekend getting a chance to see NORCO 17 Black compete at the Northern Lights Qualifier in 17 Open.  They found themselves in the third round of gold pools just finishing outside of a bid.  One of the big terminators of this group is Madlen Gloessner.  For those in Colorado I'm sure she is a high school volleyball household name, but she need to be one who the country knows about. She's 6'5 and moves like a deer.  She's smooth, she glides, and she can definitely leap.  My favorite was seeing her run a slide where it was game over for the other side once she swings.  There are flashes of another Colorado native who is starring at Nebraska - Andi Jackson.  Gloessner spent time on the U17 national team this fall and she will be one of the top priority middles for college coaches from the Class of 2028.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0271.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-942727" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:407px;height:auto"/></figure>    I was able to see Delaney Lauer live at the Northern Lights Qualifier where she was one of the top attackers in the 17 Open field.  Lauer is a six rotation outside who can serve receive, defend, and score points in a variety of ways.  She has athleticism and physicality that allows her to power through the split of a block, hit a sharp angle, or tool the block.  She is having quite the sophomore year where she led her high school team to Class 4A and being named Player of the Year.  There is an upside to her game that will transfer well to the next level.  As she continues her backcourt progression she will be a premier recruit about 2028s throughout the country.      I wrote about Ellie Bain yesterday, but let's run it back! The Class of 2028 setter runs the show for Dynasty 17 Black who will most likely be a power pool squad at NIT Triple Crown in just over a week.  This is a complete team who does a little bit of everything extremely well, tough to peg a weakness.  The one who straws the drink is Ellie Bain who is a 2028 setter on the rise.  She receives the ball high, remains neutral, and can run all the tempos.     If you're one of the top liberos in the state of Nebraska, the coaches will come to you.  That can be anticipated for Averi Bridges who is the libero for VCN 17 Elite who is coming off the Northern Lights Qualifier where they qualified for 17 Open with a third place finish.  Bridges brings a lot of athleticism to the position and her range is remarkable.  There is always going to be a touch when it's on her half (or ¾) of the court.  This VCN squad has a few 2028s on the radar who will be fun to see start their recruiting journey.      I don't get a chance to watch a lot of Nebraska teams unless it is at a national qualifier so a lot of these athletes were relatively new to me.  I wrote “22 - fast arm, quick jumper, whoa” which is code for Emma Rink of VCN 17 Elite terminating out of the middle where she brings a lot of physicality to that position. She approaches like she is going to get set every time (which might not be the case for all middles). When you have Mckinley Moser as your setter you best be ready with how she can thread the needle.  Rink will be one to keep tabs on this season where she can find a way to score points and connects well with a quick ball.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0418-crop-3188x2093-1770314748.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-942730" style="width:470px;height:auto"/></figure>    Shayla Rautenberg has gone semi viral for the video of her dunking a basketball looking relatively easy.  I was able to see Rautenberg play this past weekend at Northern Lights on Saturday where I saw she scored 38 points and broke the school record for rebounds in a basketball game on Friday night - all in a day's work.  Rautenberg played for the U19 national team this summer that brought home gold from the Pan Am games. She plays for the Nebraska One 17 Synergy squad that has current commits in setter Malorie Boesiger (Nebraska) and Reagan Wallraff (Creighton).  Rautenberg could be a quick commit come June 15 being a “Homegrown Husker”.  Any chance we see a dual sport athlete in the future?  Either way, she is so fun to watch on the volleyball court.      Another 2028 middle blocker for Nebraska One 17 Synergy is Loryn Piening.  These Nebraska middles across the board are just so dynamic.  They can play multiple positions and score points in a variety of ways.  She preps at Norris High School where she gets to pay with her high school setter during club in Nebraska commit Malorie Boesiger.  They have picked up back to back state titles and will be gearing up for another in 2026.      Kairos out of South Falls, South Dakota has grown into one of the top clubs in the country that has been able to produce top athletes year in and year out.  Josalyn Samuels falls right in line where she will be one of the top setters to come out of the Class of 2028.  At 6'2, Samuels plays well above the net where she is able to put the ball right in the window of her middles. She is also quick to shoot it to the pin or behind her to the right side or a slide to the middle.  This Kairos 17 Elite squad is going to be fun to watch take the court in Kansas City next week for Triple Crown.

When I watch 17s, I'm usually searching on if they are committed or not. And there are some I am a little surprised when they aren't. Oh, it's because they are playing up an age group. Their time will come. Always exciting to see new names and what they do playing against an older group. Here are some high level 2028s to note that are playing up an age group!