Kalea Lee runs the offense for one of the best teams in the country, and she makes it look calm. Mater Dei is 33-1, and Kalea decides where the ball goes on every rally. I watched her at the Durango Fall Classic and again at the Nike TOC. Her team won the championship at both.

Her numbers tell the story of a setter who does more than distribute. She has averaged more than five assists per set across two varsity seasons. She also has 64 career aces and 280 digs, which means she defends, serves tough and keeps rallies alive. This season she is hitting just under .400 on her own attacks, so blockers cannot cheat toward the pins when she is in the front row.

She operates with the poise of someone who has played in the biggest matches on the schedule. Managing a lineup full of high-level hitters requires decision-making and emotional control, and she has both.

Kalea is uncommitted. For college coaches still searching for a setter who knows how to win, she is ready to play at the next level right now.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Kalea Lee Kalea Lee 5'11" | S Mater Dei | 2027 State #19 Nation CA runs this Mater Dei offense with poise. As a senior setter for the No. 2 team in the country, she directs traffic with control and keeps her hitters in rhythm through long, high-pressure rallies. She creates easy swings for a stacked attack, and her ability to distribute the ball across multiple weapons is a big reason Mater Dei’s offense looks unpredictable from set to set.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Kalea already has a matchup circled for the weekend. “I hope we face Sierra Canyon at some time, I think it would be a great match and we definitely could prove a couple of things,” she said.

Her game lives on the defensive end of the position, reading opposing setters and playing behind the block with precision. “I think as a setter one of my biggest strengths is my defense, I’m able to read setters and figure out where they’re going and I’m able to play behind the block really well, so if something happens I’m right there,” she said. This season, she’s locked in on her serve, working to turn her time behind the line into points.

Leadership is where she separates herself beyond her hands. She holds her team accountable and helps everyone move past mistakes quickly instead of dwelling on them. What she wants noticed most is her energy, especially in how she celebrates.

She’s aiming for the next level, hoping volleyball takes her somewhere she can keep competing and inspiring others chasing the same path. She’s already in conversation with college programs as she works through the process.

Outside of volleyball, she’s a talented baker.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Lee’s setting and passing was what made Mater Dei play so efficiently, but her dumps are another thing that are on the minds of opposing teams. She always finds the perfect timing and open spot on the court when it comes to that. Her ball distribution was also phenomenal, as she has many options to go to, making opposing defenses think twice on where they should place their defense on their side.

Click to view Kalea Lee Kalea Lee 5'11" | S Mater Dei | 2027 State #19 Nation CA

Kalea Lee Kalea Lee 5'11" | S Mater Dei | 2027 State #19 Nation CA – Uncommitted

Kalea Lee Kalea Lee 5'11" | S Mater Dei | 2027 State #19 Nation CA , a standout setter from Cathedral Catholic, is now ready to lead at Mater Dei. Playing club for Wave Volleyball, she has already earned MaxPreps All-American, an Under Armour All-American invite and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top setters in the 2027 class on the JVA and AVCA lists. A fixture atop the California rankings, Kalea is the clear-cut No. 1 uncommitted setter in her class.

At Cathedral Catholic, she posted an impressive 6.4 assists per set and totaled 794 assists during the 2024–25 season, numbers that placed her among the top setters in the region according to MaxPreps. She also guided the Dons to multiple CIF Open Division titles, running the offense with calm precision and setting a standard of consistency and leadership on the court.

What sets Kalea apart is her adaptability and clean mechanics. She delivers accurate, hittable balls regardless of the pass quality, often rescuing plays by setting from her knees or handling tough receptions that most setters would leave for the libero. Her “hands of silk” and ability to hit her targets make her the type of setter every hitter loves to play with.

Kalea hasn’t just been part of top-level programs, she’s led them. From orchestrating Wave VBC’s elite squads to quarterbacking Cathedral Catholic’s attack, she’s proven herself as the steadying force teams can trust in big moments. She also showcased her talents at the 2024 Prep Dig Preview at SoCal VBC, further cementing her exposure.

Now preparing to join a star-powered Mater Dei roster, Kalea is poised to elevate her game even higher. With a resume full of accolades, championship experience, and unmatched setting skill, she’s more than ready to call her next home at the college level.

Kalea’s voice: “Although the transfer process has taken a lot of time and required a lot of patience, I can’t wait to get back to playing the game I love most with some of the most talented and competitive players. I’ve put in so much work, time, and love for this sport, and I hope that one day I’ll be able to use this talent in the future when I find the right place for me. For now, my commitment is in God’s timing, and soon I will have a place to call home.”

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Kalea Lee Kalea Lee 5'11" | S Mater Dei | 2027 State #19 Nation CA ran the offense with a calm presence and a well-timed release. Her touch on the ball was consistent, and she knew when to speed things up or slow them down. She kept hitters in rhythm and stayed composed under pressure. Kalea leads with poise and makes the court feel settled. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247