UA Next Camp Series: Sophomore Preview

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" id="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a>   Hundreds of aspiring All-Americans will step into the Under Armour Next Camp Series, earning the opportunity to train, compete, and be evaluated in one of the most recognized camps in the country.   For the sophomore class, this stage looks a little different.   These athletes will not yet be eligible to compete for a spot in the All-America match in Orlando, but make no mistake, this opportunity matters. With June 15 quickly approaching, when college coaches can officially begin direct recruiting conversations with the Class of 2028, this camp arrives at a critical time.   The athletes featured below were invited to share how they see their game, what has improved most this season, and what college coaches need to understand before that recruiting window opens. What stands out immediately is not just talent, but awareness. These sophomores are not simply showing up to compete. They are arriving with identity, purpose, and a growing understanding of what separates players when the level gets faster.    Makenzie Pears reflects a right side who understands exactly where her value begins, at the net. She is most excited to showcase her attacking and blocking, two areas that continue to define how she impacts matches, and she points to blocking as the part of her game that has taken the biggest jump this season.   What stands out is how naturally communication shows up in how she processes higher-level competition. As the pace increases, her first instinct is not to speed up, but to get louder, get clearer, and make sure everyone around her stays connected.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Communication needs to be louder and more effective so everyone on the team is on the same page. </blockquote>   Her game feels team-centered, physical, and built around doing the work on both sides of the ball, exactly what coaches want to see from an emerging pin who is still early in her recruiting journey.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Kendall Stark's game immediately jumps out because of how many ways she can create pressure from the setter position. As a left-handed front-row setter, she is not just focused on tempo and distribution, she is actively looking to score through aggressive attacks, dumps, and blocks.   That offensive mindset has become even more dangerous as her blocking continues to improve.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Coaches have told me to reach back into the court and watch the hitter's arm… and it worked. </blockquote>   That willingness to take coaching, apply it quickly, and turn it into production is exactly what is showing up in her game right now.   When matches get faster, Kendall's instinct is to speed up the offense, stay low, and become even more vocal. Her game feels creative, aggressive, and increasingly difficult to defend when she is front row.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Malie Ogbechie's journey over the last two seasons tells a lot about who she is becoming as a player. Not long ago she was playing middle blocker. Today, she is competing in all six rotations on an Open-level national team, and that growth shows up all over her responses.   She is excited to showcase leadership, communication, attacking range, defense, and first contact, which says a lot about how complete her game is becoming.   Her biggest growth this season has come in serve receive, and the numbers back it up.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Teams have stopped targeting me on serve receive as much… I've recorded several matches above a 2.3 against Open teams. </blockquote>   That type of growth changes how offenses function.   When the pace increases, Malie talks about trusting her training and remembering all the options she has already proven she can execute. Her game feels versatile, composed, and built for six-rotation impact.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Mikaela Lee-Tsosie consistently comes back to presence. Whether she is talking about transition speed, blocking discipline, or leadership, there is a clear understanding that her role as a middle extends far beyond simply attacking quick sets.   She wants coaches to notice how she leads, how she gets up in transition, and how she creates a strong blocking presence.   Her growth this season has centered around becoming faster, more disciplined, and more vocal under pressure, all critical traits for middles competing at higher levels.   When the pace rises, Mikaela's focus does not change.   She trusts training, communicates, and continues bringing energy.   Her game feels coachable, competitive, and increasingly influential in how her team plays around her.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Audrianna Granatelli reveals a defender who understands that the best liberos do much more than pass balls.   She is most excited to showcase her out-of-system setting, especially with her hands, a detail that immediately tells coaches she understands how to keep offenses alive when rallies break down.   Her serve receive has taken a major jump this season after applying one simple coaching cue.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Shuffle through my pass and keep my hips behind the ball. </blockquote>   That technical adjustment has created more confidence and more consistent first contact.   What stands out even more is how she handles pressure. She talks about staying aggressive, communicating constantly, and resetting quickly after mistakes.   Her game feels organized, vocal, and built around keeping everyone around her connected.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Kaleia “KJ” Zeits is someone who already understands that elite defense starts long before match day.   She journals, does extra technical training, strength work, agility sessions, and builds routines that keep both her body and mind sharp.   That preparation is showing up most in serve receive, the part of her game she believes has grown the most this season.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> My serve receive numbers continue to get better each tournament and the consistency and comfort level is really starting to show. </blockquote>   When the level gets faster, KJ keeps it simple.   Communicate clearly. Reset quickly. Move on.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> There is no time to dwell on mistakes… that ‘goldfish' memory is key. </blockquote>   Her game feels disciplined, technical, and mentally mature beyond her years, exactly the kind of libero coaches will want to keep tracking as June 15 approaches.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   🔥 Sophomores & Underclassmen June 15 is coming faster than you think. Study this group. Notice how they talk about their game, their habits, and the details that separate them when the level gets faster. Visibility starts long before coaches can call. Build your profile, own your story, and keep showing up with purpose.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors These athletes are earning meaningful exposure at one of the most respected identification camps in the country. If your players are featured, celebrate them. Share this article, tag @PrepDigCA, and help college coaches see not just talent, but the habits and maturity behind it.   🎯 College Coaches The Class of 2028 is getting closer to one of the most important dates in the recruiting calendar. Use University Athlete to tag these athletes, evaluate potential fits, and begin tracking the players whose habits, communication, and decision-making are already separating them before June 15.   🙏 Parents & Supporters Thank you for helping your athletes chase opportunities like Under Armour Next Camp Series. Your travel, belief, sacrifices, and support are part of every step in this journey. If a player in this article inspired you, share it, celebrate them, and help their story reach the right eyes.   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> Follow these athletes beyond camp season with deeper evaluations, recruiting insights, exclusive rankings, and the full Prospect Index. Because exposure should not end when the whistle blows.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_e90cce.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-985003" style="aspect-ratio:1.948368241597662;width:318px;height:auto"/></a></figure>

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