We Can’t Wait to Watch These Players At USAV Nationals (2028s)

The oldest age divisions will officially take the court at USAV Nationals, and Arizona is ready to make its mark. From established stars to rising standouts, these 12 athletes have the talent to turn heads on one of the biggest stages in club volleyball. Here are the Arizona players we're excited to watch this week!    [player_tooltip player_id='882771' first='Makinlee' last='Landis'] has been an absolute dominant force over the past few tournaments, and NIT was another reminder of just how impactful she can be. She gets to the block in a hurry, transitions with purpose, and attacks with power from both pins. Her connection with her setter allows her to stay available in transition, and she consistently finds ways to terminate, even against quality competition. Beyond the stat sheet, Makinlee plays with confidence and a relentless motor that elevates everyone around her. She's a difficult attackers to slow down, and her complete game continues to trend upward. She's playing some of her best volleyball at the perfect time, and we can't wait to see what she does on the national stage before carrying that momentum into the high school season.     [player_tooltip player_id='942247' first='Makenzie' last='Owes'] has been a true six-rotation force for Aspire, impacting the match from start to finish. She's a steady, reliable presence in the back row while providing consistent offensive production in the front. Makenzie possesses everything you want in an elite outside hitter—she attacks with a full arsenal of shots, recognizes the open court exceptionally well, and isn't afraid to take calculated risks during long rallies. When the match is on the line, she embraces the responsibility of being the go-to attacker and thrives under pressure. Her complete game and competitive mindset make her one of the most exciting players to watch, and we have no doubt she'll deliver some memorable performances on the national stage this weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='913233' first='Sarah' last='Ingram'] has been everywhere on the court for Sky this season, making her presence felt in every phase of the game. She reads the game exceptionally well on defense, consistently puts herself in position to make difficult plays, and remains steady and disciplined in serve receive. Out of system, she's a dependable option who delivers quality second contacts and helps keep her team in rhythm. Her relentless pursuit, outstanding tip coverage, and contagious energy elevate everyone around her. Sarah is the type of player who impacts the match in ways that don't always show up on the stat sheet, and we can't wait to see the difference she makes on the national stage this weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='780576' first='Emsley' last='Oprandy'] has been a driving force behind her team's success this season. She anchors the middle with a physical, disciplined block that consistently slows opposing offenses and creates opportunities for her defenders to make plays. Offensively, she's explosive in transition, attacks with confidence, and makes the most of every opportunity she gets. What stands out most is her relentless work rate—she's constantly moving, transitioning efficiently, and staying available on every rally. Emsley's impact extends far beyond the stat sheet, as her consistent effort, fluid footwork, and presence at the net influence the outcome of nearly every point. She's playing with tremendous confidence heading into Nationals, and we expect her to be one of the top middles to watch this weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Haylie' last='Johnston'] has been a key piece of Livewire's success this season, impacting the match from both pins with her versatility and high volleyball IQ. Whether attacking from the left or the right, she provides a consistent offensive presence and is equally valuable on the defensive side of the ball. She excels in off-blocker defense, reads the game well, and helps extend rallies with her court awareness. On the right side, Haylie does an excellent job of attacking the setter, forcing opponents out of system and creating transition opportunities for her team. Offensively, she runs a fast, efficient tempo and consistently puts pressure on opposing blockers, while defensively she establishes a disciplined block that gives her middle every opportunity to close and seal the net. Her complete game makes her one of the more impactful pin hitters to watch this weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='888556' first='Alayah' last='Krein'] has been one of our favorite players to watch throughout the club season because of the impact she makes in so many different ways. She has a unique versatility, excelling as a setter during the high school season before transitioning into a front-row attacker during club, where she's proven she can score from anywhere along the net. Alayah brings an undeniable energy to every match and has a way of elevating the level of play of everyone around her. She's a steady leader, a fierce competitor, and the type of player every coach wants on the floor when the match is on the line. We can't wait to watch her compete alongside her teammates one final time this club season and see the impact she makes on the national stage.     [player_tooltip player_id='883370' first='Mikaela' last='Lee-Tsosie'] is the heartbeat of her 17 Thunder squad, bringing a relentless work ethic and a high volleyball IQ to every match. She does an exceptional job reading the setter, anticipating plays early, and consistently putting herself in position to make defensive stops. Mikaela has a knack for making herself available on every rally, whether she's digging a tough ball, extending a play, or keeping her team in system. What makes her even more impressive is that she's doing all of this while competing up an age group. Despite being a member of the Class of 2028, she has established herself as an impact player among the 2027s, proving she belongs against older competition. Her instincts, consistency, and competitive drive make her one of the most exciting defenders to watch this weekend.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   USAV Nationals always brings out the very best competition, and we can't wait to see Arizona's top talent take the national stage. We'll be courtside throughout the tournament, covering the action and highlighting the athletes making an impact. Be sure to tag us in your schedules, send us your highlights, and let us know where you'll be competing—we don't want to miss a moment. Good luck to all of the Arizona teams this week, and we'll see you in the gym!

The oldest age divisions will officially take the court at USAV Nationals, and Arizona is ready to make its mark. From established stars to rising standouts, these 12 athletes have the talent to turn heads on one of the biggest stages in club volleyball. Here are the Arizona players we're excited to watch this week!