Under Armour Invites and Other Young Talent Risers

A wave of young talent continues to emerge, with two athletes attending the high-profile UA Next camp series, while the entire group of athletes I have included in this series is elevating their own profiles with standout performances of their own. They were battle-tested and pushed to elevate their game against top competition, and they embraced every challenge. While not all walked away with the results they envisioned, one thing is certain — their growth, resilience, and rising presence have firmly placed them among the names to watch.    [player_tooltip player_id='903667' first='Kova' last='Symkoviak'] had an impressive showing at Kansas City Triple Crown this year. At just 14-years-old, Kova now touches 10'3'' and her height and reach are clearly making an impact on the court. She battled through several tough matchups and still scored at will over and around blocks.   Her power and punch behind the ball are undeniable, and every swing she took today carried a level of authority and confidence. What stands out even more is her steady, continued growth over the course of these past few months.   Kova attended the Under Armour Next Camp and proved she belongs among the most elite in the country, and her performance reinforced the trajectory she is on. Kova was extended an invitation back for next year, which further validates the progress she is making and the ceilings she is continuing to raise.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/image_b7f405-edited.png" alt="" class="wp-image-947712" style="aspect-ratio:1.333371612310519;object-fit:cover" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='846622' first='Meilani' last='Akana'] plays well beyond her years, and her skill is not only as an outside, but as a volleyball player overall. Her international experience competing on the U17 Brazilian National team enhances her volleyball IQ, sharpens her reads, and elevates her style of play. Meilani attended the Under Armour camp this year and tested at 9'9 at just 14-years-old. Her poise, energy, power, and skill legitimize her status as a promising talent and continued powerhouse in her class.   In transition, Meilani made smart, calculated decisions and consistently took advantage of what the block and defense were showing her. When the set was inside, she got her feet to the ball and executed off speed shots back to 1 or the donut, but also swing hard into the corner or a sharp cross. Meilani's ability to mix up her pace and location made it difficult for teams to get a stop on her.    In the backrow, she moved efficiently on defense with quick moves and stabilized her serve receive with quality passes that kept her team in system.      [player_tooltip player_id='901613' first='Kole' last='Riebe'] faced quite a few tough teams and heavy hitters this tournament. She played with quick reactions and strong platform manipulation, and absorbed power with ease.   Facing off against 15 Sand Leao on day 2, Kole made big plays off of heavy hits and chased down every off-speed shot with ease and confidence. Even though this is her first club season at the libero position, Kole's athleticism and work ethic on the court continue to elevate her team.      [player_tooltip player_id='894186' first='Nivale' last='Magalei']'s ability to read a play before it happens and have the touch to back it up certifies her as one of the leading libs in her class. Several plays she made throughout the weekend showcased her IQ, defensive eyework, and anticipation. Nivale picked up setter dumps fast and scored a couple of her own points by sending it over on two.     Whether you are in system or out of system, getting your feet to the ball is a skill that requires a lot of intention and reps. Lucy Scott does this really well. Her ability to get to any ball, whether it's inside or pushed a little too far out, helps her make solid contact and power behind the ball. She jumps really well and is a versatile athlete.     Taylor Smith showcased her versatility and range this past weekend, playing on the right and in the middle. Her length and size as a pin help established a bigger block and opened up scoring opportunities for her team. As a middle blocker, she showcased balance, quickness in closing blocks, ability to get touches against faster-paced offenses, and be consistent in her timing and spacing.   Taylor is an extremely hard worker who consistently puts in extra reps outside of practice. She pushes herself to improve every opportunity she gets when she steps onto the court and translates what she learns into games.     Just a reminder to all volleyball athletes in Utah — with club season now in full swing, I'd love to feature more of you! If you'd like to be included, please send me your club schedule along with some basic information about yourself: your club team, position, and coach. Feel free to also share a little bit about your story and who you are!    With how much volleyball has grown in Utah, it's getting tougher to keep track of all the talented athletes out there, so don't hesitate to reach out! I'll do my best to come watch you in action and you can find my email in the Utah Scouts section. I'm looking forward to connecting with you all and seeing you on the court!

A wave of young talent continues to emerge, with two athletes attending the high-profile UA Next camp series, while the entire group of athletes I have included in this series is elevating their own profiles with standout performances of their own. They were battle-tested and pushed to elevate their game against top competition, and they embraced every challenge. While not all walked away with the results they envisioned, one thing is certain — their growth, resilience, and rising presence have firmly placed them among the names to watch.