Pauly displayed a similar skill set to Cody in my eyes, and the two are comparable in size as well. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise when I looked at the 2029 rankings and saw them sitting right near each other. As a rising sophomore, there is plenty of potential to like in Pauly’s game, particularly as an attacker. I thought she showed good court vision in the air, recognizing open areas of the floor and looking to attack those zones rather than simply swinging away. That ability to see the court and make decisions while attacking is a nice quality for a young middle and should only become more effective as she continues to develop.

I like what I see of Pauly on film. She is particularly strong attacking 3-balls or 31 sets, where she does a good job getting into the gap and putting plenty of pace on the ball. She hits the ball hard and has a strong cross-court attack that can be difficult to defend. I’m looking forward to seeing how she performs this weekend with the blocker directly in front of her, as well as getting a closer look at her ability to attack off the slide.

At 5-foot-11 with the ability to play both middle and outside, Pauly brings early versatility that shows up on film. Her arm swing is clean and generates solid pace, particularly when she’s in-system. From the pin, she’s most comfortable cross-court, with flashes of touch and the ability to use the block.

What separates her right now is movement. She doesn’t look stiff or heavy, showing balance through her approach and the ability to transition off the net. These traits give her flexibility in where she could land positionally.

At the net, she’s already showing encouraging blocking instincts, pressing well, and using her length, though timing and reads are still developing.

Long-term, her path will likely hinge on ball control. Continued growth there could open the door to a six-rotation outside role, while her size and net play also make middle a natural fit.

It’s early for the 2029 class, but Pauly is firmly in the “track her development” group, with tools pointing to upside.

Pauly rounds out this report as she currently sits in the No. 8 position in the Kansas Class of 2029 rankings. She is an incoming freshman for the Crusaders. She is a physical middle with a big reach. She, like Cook, would project to be in the Cubs pen, like her namesake Paul Assenmacher.