All Arizona Dream Team - Team Marissa

We wanted to do something a little different now that club season has officially come to a close. Anthony and I each drafted our own PrepDig AZ Dream Team, selecting the players we'd want leading our roster in a hypothetical showdown. After the draft, we broke down every selection, explaining why each player earned a spot on our team. These picks were all based off this years club season as a whole.   To keep things fair—and make the draft a little more challenging—we established a few ground rules before making our first pick:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Maximum of two players per club. Once a team had two players selected, that club was off the board for the remainder of the draft. This forced us to dig deeper into Arizona's incredible talent pool instead of stacking one or two powerhouse clubs.</li>   <li>Maximum of three players per graduating class. Each roster could include no more than three athletes from the same graduating class, creating a balanced mix of experience and future potential.</li>   <li>Build a realistic roster. This wasn't simply about selecting the best players available—we had to build a team capable of winning an actual match. That meant filling every position, including setters, middles, pin hitters, opposites, liberos, and defensive specialists. We couldn't just draft ten outside hitters, even if that would have made for an entertaining team.</li>   <li>Snake draft format. I held the first overall pick. Anthony followed with back-to-back selections, then I picked twice, and the draft continued in traditional snake format until both rosters were complete.</li> </ul>   Here were the final reults of the draft:   <figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Marissa's Dream Team</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Anthony's Dream Team </td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='888469' first='Amari' last='Frazier'] (M, Storm, 2028)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='774402' first='Tessa' last='Larkin'] (OH, Storm, 2027)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='603194' first='Pulelehua' last='Laikona'] (L, Storm, 2027)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='888746' first='Joelle' last='Wasson'] (M, Omni, 2029)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='749268' first='Ashlyn' last='Quiri'] (OH, AZ Sky, 2027)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='885187' first='Rylee' last='Asanovich'] (S/RS, Aspire, 2029)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='787997' first='Jade' last='Smith'] (S, Aspire, 2028)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='885089' first='Sophia' last='Gregg'] (S,/RS, Storm, 2029)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='523986' first='Isabella' last='Stojkovic'] (OH, Rev, 2027)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='881802' first='Aubrey' last='Burns'] (L, AZ Sky, 2027)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='885082' first='K'Lei' last='Noah'] (RS, Omni, 2029)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='826238' first='Gabriella' last='Nucci'] (MB, AZ Sky, 2028)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='942065' first='Gloria' last='Bankston'] (M, Aspire, 2029)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='888726' first='Carsen' last='Steinkamp'] (L, Livewire, 2028) </td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='833602' first='Kallie' last='George'] (OH, Club Cactus, 2028)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='920122' first='Mia' last='Wells'] (Pin, Rev, 2030)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='787775' first='Kendall' last='Klingenberg'] (S, Omni, 2029)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='778035' first='Kalista' last='Fuller'] (OH, Aspire, 2027)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='919648' first='Charlotte' last='Lilley'] (OH, AZ Sky, 2030)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Haylie' last='Johnston'] (Pin, Livewire 2028)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Middles</h2>   This is quite an unexpected pair, but I really do like the idea of having young middles that are capable of so many things. Both of these middles have the attack and defense that it takes to have a winning team. They have all of the quick runs, all of the communication and quickness needed to be successful in this position.    My first pick of the draft. Amari has set the standard for middle play in Arizona over the past year, and her recent commitment to Texas A&M only reinforces the level of volleyball she's capable of playing. Throughout the club season, she seamlessly transitioned between middle and right side for Storm, excelling wherever her team needed her most. That versatility alone speaks volumes about her athleticism and volleyball IQ.   She moves exceptionally well laterally, allowing her to close blocks, defend in transition, and stay connected to the play from point to point. Offensively, she's an absolute force. When she connects with her setter, her arm is nearly impossible to defend, generating the kind of pace and power that changes the momentum of a match. She's the type of middle who impacts every phase of the game, making her an easy choice to anchor my front row.     Gloria truly put herself on the map this club season, emerging as one of the state's most exciting young middles. Her athleticism was on full display from start to finish, and perhaps even more impressive was the amount of growth she showed over the course of the season.   She has exceptional timing as a blocker, consistently getting her hands over the net and taking away quality attacking angles. In transition, she works relentlessly to get available, and she understands how to hold and manipulate opposing blockers to create more one-on-one opportunities for her pin hitters. Offensively, she has a quick, whip-like arm that allows her to terminate with authority, whether she's attacking in the middle or finding angles to the wings. She was a fun choice to complete my middles for the roster.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The Pins</h2>   I built my pin group around one key trait: six-rotation impact. I wanted athletes who could completely change a match from start to finish—not just with their attacking, but with everything they brought to the court.   This group gives me the perfect balance of physicality and volleyball IQ. I have dominant blockers who can take over at the net, smart and efficient attackers who know how to score in any situation, and elite back-row defenders who can keep rallies alive and seamlessly transition into offense. It was important to me that every player I selected could be just as valuable in serve receive and defense as they are in the front row.   When you combine complete six-rotation players with high-level competitiveness and versatility, you end up with a group that can win matches in a variety of ways. Here's why each of these pin hitters earned a spot on my roster.    She has put together an absolutely dominant season for AZ Sky, consistently proving why she's one of the state's premier defenders. I was incredibly impressed by the way she led her team to multiple victories, embracing the biggest moments with confidence and composure. She's one of my favorite players to watch because she never shies away from responsibility—in fact, she welcomes it when the match is on the line.   Her back-row play has been exceptional all season. She covers an incredible amount of ground from middle back, routinely keeping rallies alive with her range, anticipation, and relentless pursuit of every ball. Whether it's a highlight-reel dig or a calm, controlled first contact under pressure, she gives her team a chance to win every point she's involved in.     With her explosive approach and lightning-quick arm swing, she is arguably one of the toughest pin hitters in the state to slow down. She plays with confidence, aggression, and a relentless mentality, while her impressive vertical immediately demands your attention.   What separates her, however, is everything she contributes beyond the highlight-reel swings. She consistently handles the small details that make a major difference, from her disciplined off-blocker defense to her intentional press at the net and constant communication with her teammates. She is a complete outside hitter, a natural leader, and an easy choice for my roster.     We knew from the moment she stepped onto the high school court that she was something special. Since then, she's only continued to prove it. With the ability to stuff just about any attacker at the net, terminate from either pin, and make game-changing defensive plays, she's one of the most versatile and impactful players in the state.   What truly sets her apart, though, is the way she competes. Her passion for the game is impossible to miss, showing up in every rally, every celebration, and every point she fights to win. She's the kind of player who elevates everyone around her, making her an easy selection for this roster.     George had one heck of a year. Between school and club season, she seemed to get better every single time she stepped onto the court. She is a fierce competitor with an exceptionally high volleyball IQ, and her ability to process the game in real time makes her incredibly difficult to defend.   She is especially impressive when the offense is out of system. Whether she is attacking a high ball, cleaning up a broken play, or finding a way to terminate an awkward “junk” ball, she never seems afraid to take a swing. She sees the court extremely well and understands when to attack the line, work cross-court, or find an open seam based on how the defense is positioned. Her fearlessness, vision, and ability to create offense from almost any situation made her a must-have for my roster.     My youngest selection certainly didn't disappoint. Charlie Lilly is one of the most tenacious competitors we're going to see enter the Arizona high school scene. She plays with an edge that's impossible to ignore, attacking every point with confidence, toughness, and an unwavering competitive spirit.   What makes Charlie so dangerous is her ability to score in a variety of ways. She knows exactly when to unleash a full-power swing and when to mix in a well-placed shot, keeping defenders constantly guessing. Her back-row game is already exceptional, and she is one of the best middle-back defenders in her class. Her ability to read hitters, anticipate where the ball is going, and cover an incredible amount of court consistently puts her in position to make game-changing plays. The exciting part is that her front-row game continues to improve every time we watch her compete.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Solo Lib</h2>    This wasn't even a difficult decision for me—I knew from the start this was the libero I wanted. She is the definition of consistency and brings an undeniable sense of confidence to the back court. No matter the situation, she's steady, composed, and always seems to make the right play.   She thrives in out-of-system situations, commands the back row with confidence, and instantly gives the players around her a sense of trust. She's an elite serve receiver, does an outstanding job covering her hitters, and has incredible range that allows her to turn seemingly impossible balls into playable contacts.   What truly separates her is her leadership. She communicates constantly, organizes the defense, and elevates everyone sharing the court with her. Every great team needs a player who can stabilize the back row, and she's exactly that. She was an absolute must-have for my roster.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Setters</h2>   There was no way I was leaving either of these setters off the court. A traditional 5-1 simply didn't make sense because they're both too impactful. They're the type of competitors who elevate everyone around them, and every team they're play on is better because of their leadership, decision-making, and ability to run an offense.   If anything, the only scenario that would make sense would be a front-row/back-row 5-2 substitution, allowing each of them to maximize their strengths while keeping both involved throughout the match. Even then, it would be incredibly difficult to decide who comes off because both are exceptional in every phase of the game. They compete with confidence, make great decisions under pressure, and have the ability to completely control the tempo of a match. Having two setters of this caliber on the same roster is a luxury, and I completely lucked out.    I never get tired of watching Jade compete. She capped off an outstanding season with an incredible performance at Nationals, reminding everyone why she's one of the premier setters in the state.   Jade is a true competitor. One of my favorite parts of her game is her fearlessness on tight balls—she embraces every joust, regardless of who's on the other side of the net. Whether she's challenging a towering middle or an athletic pin, she attacks those moments with confidence, and more often than not, she's the one walking away with the point.   Beyond her toughness, Jade is the heartbeat of an offense. She leads with confidence, runs the floor with purpose, and consistently puts her hitters in positions to succeed. You can tell her teammates trust her completely and lean on her in the biggest moments. Defensively, she goes above and beyond, extending rallies with her effort and instincts while making difficult plays look routine. She impacts every aspect of the game, making her an easy choice to lead my team.     Kendall guided her team all the way to the USA National Championship match, and she was a major reason they made such an impressive run. She operates at an incredibly fast tempo, constantly keeping opposing blockers on their heels and forcing defenses to make split-second decisions.   One of the most impressive parts of her game is her jump setting. She sells every attack so convincingly that front-row defenders frequently commit to her, creating one-on-one opportunities and wide-open swings for her hitters. Her ability to manipulate a block is well beyond her years.   Combined with her quick tempo, exceptional court awareness, and smart decision-making, Kendall is incredibly difficult to defend. She controls the rhythm of the offense, distributes the ball with confidence, and consistently puts her teammates in the best position to succeed. She's the kind of setter every hitter loves playing with.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   We know, plenty of amazing players still left on the board, but we had crazy limits which made these decisions nearly impossible.   Let us know which roster you think comes out on top. We'll also be sharing both teams on Instagram with a community poll, so be sure to cast your vote and settle the debate! We had way too much fun with this. Making games like this happen would truly be a dream.   Stay tunned, who knows, we might do this by class!

We wanted to do something a little different now that club season has officially come to a close. Anthony and I each drafted our own PrepDig AZ Dream Team, selecting the players we'd want leading our roster in a hypothetical showdown. After the draft, we broke down every selection, explaining why each player earned a spot on our team. These picks were all based off this years club season as a whole.