Emily Penuel’s game revolves around finding ways to score, not just relying on power but recognizing space and making plays that keep the offense productive.

That mindset shows up in how she adjusts. When things aren’t going cleanly, she simplifies, resets, and focuses on keeping the ball in play rather than forcing a perfect outcome.

She’s also developing a quicker reset between points, which is allowing her to stay positive and continue contributing even after mistakes.

Her game feels practical and adaptable, focused on staying effective regardless of the situation.

Off the court, her goals are clear, both academically and personally. She wants to play at the next level with a program that values driven athletes who are focused on both development and long-term goals.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Emily Penuel, a Class of 2028 outside hitter from Desert Ridge High School in Mesa and Club One Volleyball, currently ranked No. 144 overall in the Prep Dig Arizona State Rankings, is a player whose number on a list tells you where she started but not where she is going. Miss Penuel has the physical tools to compete at the pin at the next level and she showed up at the Salt Lake City Showdown and performed like a player who belongs in a much shorter list of names. She attacks with confidence and a willingness to take swings in pressure moments that is simply not something you can coach into a player because either they want the ball when it matters or they do not, and she clearly does. Her ability to compete from both pins gives her positional versatility that college staffs value because it means she can fit into multiple systems and contribute in multiple roles rather than being locked into one function. Desert Ridge competes in one of Arizona’s toughest 6A environments and the experience of going up against elite level competition week after week has sharpened her reads and her composure in ways that show up clearly when the game gets fast. Emily is a 2028 prospect whose ranking is a snapshot in time and her performance at this showcase made a strong case that the snapshot is already outdated. Please help us congratulate her on earning Top Performer honors at this showcase event. 

Emily Penuel played with clean timing and spacing on her approach. She used the block effectively, creating angles instead of forcing swings into it. Her ability to give herself space before contact allowed her to stay efficient and repeatable as an attacker.
~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Emily Penuel Emily Penuel 5'11" | OH/RS Desert Ridge | 2028 State AZ , a Class of 2028 outside and right side hitter from Desert Ridge High School and Club One Volleyball, and currently ranked No. 144 in the Prep Dig Arizona State Rankings, took her Top Performer recognition at this showcase and backed it up with a performance that showed why she is drawing attention in one of the most competitive states in the country. At 5’10”, she has the frame to play at both pins effectively, and she has clearly put in the work to develop the footwork and mechanics that allow her to be a scoring threat from either position. She attacks with confidence and does not shy away from taking swings in contested moments, which tells you she trusts her training and is not just going through motions on the court. Her ability to play multiple positions is a genuine recruiting asset. Desert Ridge competes in one of Arizona’s toughest 6A environments, and the experience of performing at that level shows in how composed she is when the game speeds up. Club One has a track record of developing and placing players at the next level, and she fits the profile of a prospect that program is built to elevate. Emily is a player whose ranking will not stay at 144 for long if she continues on this trajectory. Please help us congratulate her on earning Top Performer honors at this showcase event.