Sophomore ID Showcase Pins To Watch This Fall

The Class of 2029 continues to give us plenty to be excited about, and the depth at the pin positions was on full display at the Prep Dig Arizona Sophomore ID Showcase. From powerful arms and impressive athleticism to six-rotation ability and high-level ball control, this group featured a wide variety of athletes who found different ways to make their presence known.   With a full year of high school experience now behind them, sophomore season presents an entirely new opportunity. Some of these athletes are preparing to step into bigger varsity roles, while others are looking to build on the impact they made as freshmen. Either way, this is an important year for development, and we saw several pins at the showcase who appear ready to take another significant step forward.   We already highlighted several standouts from the event, but the talent certainly didn't stop there. As the school season gets underway, here are more Sophomore ID Showcase pins we're excited to keep an eye on this fall.    Paloma Starks was on fire throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase and quickly established herself as an athlete who was difficult to overlook. She's an incredibly versatile pin with the ability to attack from multiple areas of the court, and her athleticism gives her plenty of ways to create scoring opportunities. The first thing that immediately jumps out is her impressive vertical—Paloma gets off the ground extremely well and uses that explosiveness to play big at the net.   Offensively, she brings an aggressive mentality that we really enjoyed watching. Paloma isn't afraid to take a big swing when the ball is out of system and showed confidence attacking even when the situation wasn't perfect. Rather than simply trying to keep difficult balls in play, she's looking for ways to score. That willingness to take calculated risks, combined with her athleticism and ability to attack from different locations, makes her a dangerous option on the pin.   Her impact was just as noticeable on the blocking side of the game. Paloma uses her athleticism and elevation well at the net and wasn't afraid to challenge some of the strongest attackers at the showcase. She competed hard against opposing hitters, worked to take away space, and showed that she can be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.   There's a lot to be excited about when it comes to Paloma's game. Her explosiveness, versatility, aggressive mentality, and ability to compete at the net give her an incredibly exciting foundation to continue building upon. Higley has a good one on its hands, and we're looking forward to watching Paloma make her mark this fall and continue growing with the game.     Michelle Duffy was completely engaged and on fire from start to finish at the Sophomore ID Showcase. She brought an electric energy to the court that was difficult to miss, but it was the combination of that energy with her well-rounded skill set that really made her stand out. She's the type of athlete who doesn't just make plays herself—she brings a presence that helps elevate the players around her.   Offensively, Michelle looked comfortable and confident attacking from both pins. She brings a strong, aggressive swing and showed the versatility to be productive from multiple areas of the net. Her back-row attack was another major weapon, giving her the ability to remain an offensive threat even after rotating out of the front row. It didn't take long for her setter to recognize that either. Michelle quickly established herself as a go-to option and consistently looked ready to take a swing when her team needed someone to terminate.   Her impact extended well beyond attacking. Michelle played tremendous off-blocker defense, reading the play well and putting herself in great positions to keep rallies alive. Her mechanics were sound, she competed hard for every ball, and she stayed involved regardless of whether she was the one making the contact. That ability to contribute in so many areas makes her an incredibly valuable presence on the floor.   Michelle was also one of the strongest communicators we watched. She was constantly engaged with the athletes around her, brought energy after big plays, and competed with a contagious enthusiasm. She's the type of player who can change the feel of a court simply through the way she competes. With her offensive versatility, defensive ability, communication, and electric energy, there's a lot to like about Michelle's game. We can't wait to continue following her and watching her make an impact this fall.     It was great having Dani Hermanson in the Arizona gym for the Sophomore ID Showcase! We loved getting the opportunity to watch her compete during her visit from the Dakotas, and we certainly hope to see her back in the gym training and competing again soon.   One of the first things that stood out about Dani was her ability to play middle-back defense and somehow make it look easy—and trust us, we know it's anything but that. She covered the back court extremely well, moved with purpose, and consistently put herself in the right position to make a play. Her ability to read opposing attackers allowed her to anticipate where the ball was going rather than simply reacting to it, and she provided a steady, reliable defensive presence throughout the showcase.   Dani brought that same consistency into the front row. She competed hard at the net, took intelligent swings, and showed that she understands how to score without always needing to overpower a defense. She did a great job seeing the court, finding available space, and making smart decisions with the ball in her hand. Whether the play called for an aggressive swing or a more controlled shot, Dani showed the awareness to adjust.   What we enjoyed most was how complete and composed her game looked throughout the event. She contributed on both sides of the ball, stayed engaged in rallies, and competed with a steady confidence. Dani made a great impression during her time in Arizona, and we're excited to keep her name on our radar as she continues developing. Hopefully this isn't the last time we get to see her compete in an Arizona gym!     Emma Dahl proved to be a true six-rotation threat throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase. She brings value in every area of the game and showed the type of consistency that makes a pin incredibly valuable to a lineup. In the front row, Emma swings with confidence and gives her setter a reliable option in a variety of situations. She was especially impressive on emergency and out-of-system balls, where she showed the ability to stay composed, make a smart decision, and still create a quality scoring opportunity for her team.   Her back-row game was equally as impactful. Emma made fantastic reads from middle back, moved well into position, and consistently put herself in spots where she could make a play. Her communication with the defenders around her was outstanding, and she took ownership of her space while still working cohesively with her teammates. That combination of reading ability, communication, and consistency gave her a strong presence defensively.   What really separated Emma, however, were all of the little things she did throughout each rally. She worked hard to cover her hitters, played impactful off-blocker defense, transitioned with purpose, and pressed well over the net when blocking. Even when she wasn't the athlete getting the kill or making the highlight-reel play, she was finding ways to contribute to her team's success.   Those details matter, especially for a pin looking to stay on the floor for six rotations. Emma showed that she understands how to impact the game beyond simply putting the ball away. Her consistency, volleyball IQ, defensive presence, and willingness to do the work between contacts make her an exciting athlete to continue following. It's often the little things that separate good pins from truly complete ones, and Emma already has a great understanding of how to do them well.     Starla Vorel demonstrated impressive athleticism throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase, and it didn't take long for her to catch our attention. The first thing that put her on our radar was her incredible vertical. She gets off the ground extremely well and uses that explosiveness to create an advantage for herself on both sides of the net.   Offensively, Starla showed plenty of versatility. She swings with power and looked comfortable attacking from just about anywhere across the front row. Whether she was working from the outside, right side, or being utilized in a different area of the net, she found ways to contribute and make herself available as an offensive option. Her ability to adapt to different roles stood out, and it's evident that she's the type of athlete willing to play wherever she's needed if it helps her team be successful.   That athleticism carried over to her blocking as well. Starla did a great job getting up and pressing over the net, using her vertical and physicality to challenge opposing attackers. She competed hard at the net and showed the ability to make an impact even when she wasn't the athlete taking the swing.   Beyond her physical tools, we loved the energy Starla brought to the floor. She remained positive, stayed engaged with those around her, and approached each opportunity with a team-first mentality. Her combination of athleticism, versatility, power, and willingness to embrace whatever role is asked of her gives her an exciting foundation to continue building upon. We're looking forward to following Starla's development and seeing where her volleyball career takes her.     Alia Dement is truly the full package when it comes to being an impactful pin, and she showed off a very complete offensive game throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase. From her footwork to her decision-making, there was an intentionality behind the way she played that immediately stood out.   Alia was incredibly quick in transition and consistently put herself in position to be an offensive option. Her approach was picture-perfect, and more importantly, it was repeatable. She attacked with great rhythm and explosiveness, allowing her to get into a strong position at contact and take confident swings. Her cross-court attack was especially dominant throughout the showcase—she found that shot consistently and seemed to score nearly every time she went after it.   What made Alia even more impressive was that she wasn't simply swinging hard and hoping for the best. She saw the opposing court extremely well and attacked with purpose on every attempt. She showed an understanding of when she had the opportunity to unleash her full power and when the smarter decision was to change speeds, find open court, or use a more controlled shot. That ability to adjust within a rally makes her much more difficult to defend.   Her volleyball IQ was evident once gameplay began. Alia processed what was happening across the net, made smart decisions, and showed that she already understands how to use more than just her physical tools to score. The combination of clean mechanics, quick transition work, offensive range, and intelligent shot selection makes her an exciting pin to continue watching. As she continues to develop and add even more tools to her game, we expect Alia to be a name that continues to stand out.     Alia Dement is truly the full package when it comes to being an impactful pin, and she showcased an incredibly complete offensive game throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase. From her footwork and mechanics to her court vision and decision-making, there was an intentionality behind everything she did that immediately caught our attention.   Alia was incredibly quick in transition and consistently worked to make herself available as an offensive option. Her approach was picture-perfect and, even more importantly, repeatable. She attacked with great rhythm and explosiveness, putting herself in an excellent position at contact and allowing her to take confident, aggressive swings. Her cross-court attack was especially dominant throughout the showcase. Once she found that shot, she was incredibly difficult to slow down and seemed to find the floor nearly every time she went after it.   What separates Alia, however, is that she doesn't rely solely on her power to score. She sees the opposing court extremely well and swings with purpose. She recognizes when she has the opportunity to unleash her full power, but also understands when the smarter play is to change speeds, work around the block, or find an open spot in the defense. She showed an impressive variety of shots and rarely looked like she was simply swinging without a plan.   Her volleyball IQ became even more evident once gameplay began. Alia processed what was happening across the net quickly, adjusted to what the defense was giving her, and consistently made smart decisions with the ball in her hand. She's already learning how to combine her physical tools with an understanding of the game, which can be a dangerous combination for a young pin.   Between her clean mechanics, relentless transition work, offensive range, powerful arm, and intelligent shot selection, there is a lot to be excited about with Alia's game. She has the tools to impact a match in multiple ways, and as she continues to develop and add even more weapons to her arsenal, we expect Alia to be a name that continues to stand out throughout her high school career.     It was great having Bella McNaughton visit our showcase from Washington, and we certainly hope this isn't the last time we get to see her compete and train in an Arizona gym! Bella brought so much to the court throughout the day, from her positive energy and competitive presence to the tremendous power she generated on her swings from the pin.   Offensively, Bella showed an impressive arsenal and proved she has far more in her toolbox than simply a powerful arm. She sees the opposing court extremely well and demonstrated the ability to place the ball into just about any area. She recognized holes in the defense, attacked them with purpose, and showed great awareness of what was available to her. Whether she needed to swing with power, work around the block, or find an open spot on the floor, Bella consistently found ways to create scoring opportunities.   Her speed was another major factor in her success. Bella has a quick, explosive approach that allowed her to get up and attack before many opposing blocks could become fully established. Pair that with an incredibly fast arm, and she can put defenders under pressure in a hurry. When she gets a great look at the ball, she isn't afraid to let her arm go and attack aggressively.   We were equally impressed with how hard Bella worked between contacts. She transitioned with purpose and consistently worked to make herself available as an option for her setter, even during extended rallies. That motor, combined with her offensive range, court vision, arm speed, and positive presence, made Bella an exciting athlete to watch throughout the showcase. We loved having her make the trip from Washington and hope we get the opportunity to watch her compete in our gym again soon!     Elle Deakman is one of those players who makes such a consistent impact on the floor that she can almost make the game look easy—and being an outside hitter is anything but that. There are so many responsibilities that come with the position, yet Elle handled them with composure throughout the showcase and consistently found ways to contribute.   Offensively, Elle worked hard in transition, swung with confidence, and showed great awareness with her shot selection. She sees the court well and doesn't just swing to swing—there's purpose behind what she does with the ball. She showed the ability to attack with power when the opportunity was there while also recognizing when she needed to use a smarter shot to find open court.   Her out-of-system termination was especially impressive. When the ball wasn't perfectly located, Elle didn't hesitate or suddenly become conservative with her attack. She approached those opportunities with the same confidence she showed on an in-system ball, stayed aggressive, and found ways to generate points in less-than-ideal situations. Being able to turn a broken play into a legitimate scoring opportunity is an incredibly valuable quality for an outside hitter, and Elle showed that ability consistently.   Beyond her physical skill set, Elle brought great communication and leadership to the floor. She stayed engaged with the athletes around her, competed with a steady presence, and looked comfortable taking responsibility in important moments. Between her ability to terminate difficult balls, intelligent shot selection, transition work, and natural leadership, Elle has so many of the qualities you want in an impactful pin. We can't wait to continue following her and see even more from her as she develops.     Kinley Beaudoin is truly one of those pins who can simply do it all. Throughout the Sophomore ID Showcase, we watched her make an impact from both pins, but what really caught our attention was everything she contributed outside of her offensive production. No matter what the rally required from her, Kinley seemed to find a way to make the play.   Offensively, she looked comfortable attacking from either side of the net and showed the versatility to be a legitimate scoring option in multiple situations. She competed hard in transition, stayed available to her setter, and wasn't afraid to take responsibility for difficult balls. Her ability to contribute from multiple positions gives her a tremendous amount of value as a pin.   However, some of Kinley's most impressive moments came when she wasn't the one taking the swing. She stepped in on out-of-system plays and delivered nearly flawless second contacts to give her hitters an opportunity to score. In the back row, she made some ridiculously athletic defensive plays, covering ground and refusing to allow difficult balls to hit the floor. Then she'd turn around and make her presence known at the net, including putting up some impressive solo stuff blocks against opposing pins.   It was the sheer range of Kinley's game that impressed us most. She can terminate, defend, set out of system, block, and make the type of effort plays that can completely change the momentum of a rally. She's not waiting for the game to come to her—she finds ways to insert herself into the action and contribute wherever she's needed.   That type of versatility is incredibly valuable, especially from a young pin who still has so much time to continue developing. Kinley already has an impressive toolbox and the athleticism to impact nearly every phase of the game. We couldn't believe some of the plays she made throughout the showcase, and we know her game is only going to continue expanding with time. She's absolutely a name we'll be keeping on our radar.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   The 2026 Summer Showcases were an incredible way to wrap up the club season, and we couldn't be more excited about the talent we saw on display. Thank you to every athlete, coach, and family who helped make these events such a success. The future of Arizona volleyball is incredibly bright, and we're grateful to have had the opportunity to watch so many players compete.   This is just the beginning. As we shift our focus to the high school season, be sure to follow<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigarizona/"> @PrepDigArizona</a> on Instagram and subscribe so you never miss rankings updates, player spotlights, showcase announcements, or our latest coverage from around the state. We can't wait to see you back in the gym soon!

The Class of 2029 continues to give us plenty to be excited about, and the depth at the pin positions was on full display at the Prep Dig Arizona Sophomore ID Showcase. From powerful arms and impressive athleticism to six-rotation ability and high-level ball control, this group featured a wide variety of athletes who found different ways to make their presence known.