Rising Stars: Class 3 2028 Pins Set to Shine This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article highlights a selection of standout players who are not only excelling on the court but also setting the stage for future successes within their programs. From [player_tooltip player_id='556998' first='Paisley' last='Hudson']'s impressive 312 kills, leading her team at Oak Grove, to [player_tooltip player_id='832839' first='Isabelle' last='Chao']'s pivotal role in MICDS's quest for back-to-back district titles, each athlete brings unique skills and determination. [player_tooltip player_id='664702' first='Ava' last='Lane'] and [player_tooltip player_id='729521' first='Blair' last='Bough'] are already proving their mettle at Strafford, while [player_tooltip player_id='729500' first='Kendall' last='McDowell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730111' first='Sophie' last='DeJournett'] are emerging as key players for their respective teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='556998' first='Paisley' last='Hudson'] – 5'10” – Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove has a couple of outstanding young players making big-time marks on the program, and Paisley is leading the charge. Paisley led all of Class 3 hitters with 312 kills. After a big season with KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''], Paisley will be on to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832839' first='Isabelle' last='Chao'] – 5'9” – MICDS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MICDS won its first district title in school history last year, and with the returning talent, another title is within reach. Isabelle finished second in kills for the&nbsp;2028 class with 288 kills. With the improvement during the club season, I'm excited to see what she can do for the Rams this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664702' first='Ava' last='Lane'] - Strafford</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians are another team loaded with talented youth, and Ava is one of three freshmen to start for Strafford last season. The southpaw is a sweet setter dishing out 353 assists, a tough defender with 265 digs, and a hammer on the right pin finishing with 267 kills. Remember this name because she will be a stat stuffer the next several years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729521' first='Blair' last='Bough'] – 5'9” – Strafford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Indian makes the list after starting and making significant contributions, who can play on either pin or middle if needed. You can tell by watching Blair play that she comes from a volleyball family and has spent more time in a gym than most. Blair finished her freshman year with 213 kills and 137 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729500' first='Kendall' last='McDowell'] – 5'9” – Saxony Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making her presence known early last season, Kendall averaged 12 kills in the first four matches of the season. The six rotation outside finished the year with 258 kills and 245 digs. Playing for an outstanding HPSTL 15 team will pay off big time for the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730111' first='Sophie' last='DeJournett'] – 5'9” – Cape Notre Dame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The youth movement for the Bulldogs last season almost got them a trip to the final four, losing to eventual champion Potosi. Sophie returns this season and should be one of the top pin hitters for ND. After a successful first season where she was a six rotation outside and contributed 178 kills and 123 digs,&nbsp;look for Sophie's numbers to increase this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->