292 Kills, 699 Assists and More: The 2029s Forcing Another Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore class has reached an interesting point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players aren't new anymore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opponents have film. Coaches know what they can handle. Many of them have already played a full varsity season and another club season since our earliest evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That means sophomore fall isn't only about production. It's about answering a bigger question: what has changed?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For these six 2029s, the answer is enough to make another evaluation worthwhile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913833"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec19a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='913833' first='Logan' last='Myers'] leads Buford with 70 blocks and also owns the team's best hitting percentage in its latest update. At 6-foot-2, she already has the physical dimensions coaches look for in the middle. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/buford/buford-wolves/volleyball/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What matters now is how efficiently she uses that length. Tall middles can get away with simply reaching when they're young. As the game gets faster, footwork and hand position become far more important. Logan has to close the seam, press instead of floating and make sure she isn't giving attackers a gap between herself and the pin blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, her development may be even more interesting. If she can become comfortable running different tempos rather than waiting on one predictable middle ball, that size becomes much more difficult to defend. The block numbers have earned attention; the next evaluation is how complete the rest of the middle game becomes.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885913"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec1a0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='885913' first='Lily' last='Seabolt'] combines setting production with a physical profile that immediately separates her from many players at the position. She has 540 assists, appears among Georgia's right-side blocking leaders with 30 blocks and recently produced 28 assists, nine digs and five kills in North Forsyth's win over South Forsyth. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/volleyball/stat-leaders/assists/a/?classyear=10&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot, Lily can affect the game above the net in ways smaller setters can't. The interesting part is making sure that physical advantage complements rather than defines her game. Her five kills against South Forsyth show she's comfortable becoming an offensive option herself, which forces opposing middles to respect the second contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also like that Lily has to set in a high-expectation environment. North Forsyth had built a 19-match winning streak around the time of that South Forsyth performance. Running an offense when everyone expects to win teaches a different kind of composure — mistakes become noticeable because the standard is already high.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Evangeline Gutierrez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Brookstone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec1ab9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore Evangeline Gutierrez sits second among Georgia sophomores with 657 assists. Earlier this month she handed out 32 assists against Heritage, and Brookstone's recent 12-match winning streak included another 28-assist performance against Calvary Christian. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/volleyball/stat-leaders/assists/a/?classyear=10&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evangeline's positional background is a real strength. She's listed at setter, right side and outside, and that gives her a hitter's understanding of the balls she's trying to deliver. She knows what it feels like when a set drifts too tight or kills an approach angle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That experience can make her particularly good at adjusting to different hitters. Not everyone wants the exact same tempo or location, and good setters learn personalities as much as mechanics. Evangeline has already shown she can run a productive Brookstone offense; the next layer is how creative and deceptive she can make it.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952439"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec1b0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='952439' first='Kamryn' last='Brown'] leads Georgia's 2029 assist leaderboard with 699 and is also sixth among GHSA players with 90 aces. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/volleyball/stat-leaders/assists/a/?classyear=10&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamryn's profile is interesting because she's becoming more than the person who puts up the second ball. Her serving is a legitimate scoring phase, which gives her another way to influence momentum when the offense isn't finding a rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a setter, the next evaluation point is how well she manipulates the defense. Assist totals tell us the offense is running through her. The more interesting question is whether she's beginning to <em>move blockers</em> with her eyes, shoulders and tempo. Setters who can make a middle hesitate for half a second can turn an average attacking window into a very good one. Kamryn is already handling enough volume that those subtle decisions will increasingly define her growth.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec1b59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='749393' first='Leanna' last='Newton'] may have one of the heaviest offensive workloads in the class. Recent matches have included 22 kills and 10 digs against Prince Avenue Christian, 24 kills and 11 digs against Franklin County and 15 kills with 13 digs against Athens Academy on Sept. 29. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/news/PKOdEFsC7ki7ic2XMqq_JQ/leanna-newton-game-report-vs-prince-avenue-christian.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I appreciate about Leanna's season is that she's being asked to solve varsity matches, not simply contribute to them. At 6-foot-1 she has obvious physical tools on the left side, but the defensive involvement is what gives the evaluation more depth. She's not rotating away from responsibility once she reaches the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leanna's biggest developmental opportunity is attacking range. The more balls she receives, the more opponents learn her preferred patterns. If she continues developing the ability to see the block early and change solutions without losing aggression, she'll become considerably harder to scheme against. The workload she's carrying now is giving her exactly the type of reps required to learn that.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1020488"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde2aec1ba5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore outside [player_tooltip player_id='1020488' first='Sydney' last='Taylor'] has become Alpharetta's clear offensive centerpiece. Through Sept. 30 she had 292 kills and was averaging 5.2 kills per set for a Raiders team ranked No. 2 in Class 6A. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/alpharetta/alpharetta-raiders/volleyball/">MaxPreps.com</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sydney's volume matters because she isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore. When you're producing more than five kills per set, opposing coaches know where the high ball is probably going. That makes her ability to keep scoring much more interesting than the raw number itself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her next-level skill is becoming the ability to problem-solve at the pin. Power will get her plenty of points, but high-hands swings, sharp changes of direction and controlled off-speed shots become increasingly important against bigger blocks. What has impressed me about Sydney's season is that she continues accepting the responsibility. High-volume hitters have to be comfortable making an error at 20-20 and still wanting the ball again at 21-21.<strong><em> ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2029 class is starting to separate itself in different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sydney and Leanna are carrying heavy pin responsibility. Kamryn, Evangeline and Lily are showing three very different versions of the setter position. Logan is developing into a physical presence through the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings refresh isn't about rewarding the biggest stat line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's about taking everything we've learned since the last evaluation — high school, club, development, role and level of responsibility — and rebuilding the picture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These six have all added something new to theirs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Georgia subscribers will see the complete updated 2029 rankings and watch list when they are released.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Follow Prep Dig Georgia for post-match evaluations, rankings coverage and continued reporting throughout the 2026 GHSA season.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note to GA Athletes:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule</strong> and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! Fill out the "Cover My Game" Link in my bio @benchtobeast-prepdigga on IG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following&nbsp; </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchtobeast/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></a><strong>&nbsp; for exclusive Georgia content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're on a mission to spotlight talent, uplift families, and bring the volleyball community closer than ever! Huge shoutout to our amazing subscribers — you're the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you for your help growing the game, and making every moment unforgettable. The best is yet to come — let's get it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</em></strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Work hard, Play hard. ~ S.Fitzgerald @</em></strong><strong>BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->