Class of 2029: 5 Stock Risers Making Massive Noise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore year changes everything. Players hit growth spurts, add three inches to their vertical, and come back from the club season looking like completely different athletes. The extra reps in empty gyms always show up on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our latest Class of 2029 rankings update, five sophomores jumped up the board. We aren't talking about minor tweaks here, these kids forced their way into higher ranking tiers by putting up big numbers, winning scramble points, and demanding attention every time they stepped on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985361"],"_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-6adeb162de47e"} --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='985361' first='Kate' last='Erickson'] | Right Side / Setter</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kate's ranking comes down to how well she runs the floor. Watching her operate, and knowing she can run a 6-2, you see no drop-off when she moves from setting to swinging on the right pin. As a setter, she gets under scramble passes fast and delivers a clean, hittable ball. Shift her to Zone 2, and she becomes an attacker again, taking sets high and driving heavy balls down the line with real poise. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748931"],"_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-6adeb162de4f7"} --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='748931' first='Aurora' last='Gross'] | Outside Pin</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aurora has added serious pop to her swing over the last few months. She elevates fast off the floor and hits a steep cross-court ball that drops right in front of defenders. What stands out most on film is her willingness to take tough swings; when a pass drifts off the tape, she doesn't push or roll it over. She goes up hard, gets her wrist through contact, and forces back-row platforms to handle real heat. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["922297"],"_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-6adeb162de555"} --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922297' first='River' last='Fylling'] | Right Pin</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River is a hard wall at the net, and her right-side blocking timing has improved significantly this season. She gets over early, seals the seam, and shuts down opposing outsides trying to rip cross-court. Offensively, her transition footwork off the block is crisp; she gets back, opens her hips, and swings with confidence deep into Zone 5. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905309"],"_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-6adeb162de5cf"} --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905309' first='Mya' last='Neis'] | Both Pins</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can slide Mya anywhere on the front line, and she produces. She swings with equal comfort on the left or right antenna, which makes her a headache for defensive coordinators to game plan against. On the left, she cuts the ball back sharp across the block. On the right, she turns line and uses opposing hands to tool off-target sets out of bounds. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878387"],"_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-6adeb162de62c"} --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='878387' first='Lydia' last='Artlip'] | Outside Pin</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast arm. She gets on top of the ball much faster than she did six months ago, ripping deep lines before back-row defenders can even set their feet. What really stands out is her defensive motor. She reads the hitter's shoulder early, stays low in middle-back, and digs hard swings without giving up free transition points. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you, readers, for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Please help us grow this positive platform by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>The village—athletes, coaches, families, and</strong> subscribers—makes <strong>this journey possible.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</em></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakotas.</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In Case You Missed It</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1020878,"width":"1213px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"2.0216666666666665"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image-8-2.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1020878" style="aspect-ratio:2.0216666666666665;width:1213px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->