Payton Tompkins Payton Tompkins 5'5" | S/DS/L Cypress Ranch | 2028 TX , a Class of 2028 setter and defensive specialist from Cypress Ranch High School and her club program, brings a two-position skill set to the game that makes her value to any roster considerably broader than a single-function setter. At 5’5″ she plays with the quickness and floor presence that the back row demands, and she can also serve as a reliable back row defensive option when the system calls for it, which means a college staff never has to sacrifice defense when she is in a back row rotation. Her setting mechanics and distribution ability reflect a player who has put in position-specific work rather than simply being an athlete assigned to the role, and the composure she plays with running the offense under pressure is a quality that develops through real varsity competition rather than just practice reps. Payton is a versatile, cerebral 2028 prospect who is worth a college coach’s full attention. Please help us congratulate her on earning a spot on our Official Watch List.

The 5’5” setter from Tomball, TX, showcases her skills in every aspect of the game, earning a spot on our Texas 2028 Watch List. Defensively, she stands out with her quick reads and ability to position herself perfectly behind the ball for key digs. Offensively, she releases quickly to get her feet stopped and deliver clean, well-placed sets. With a sharp eye for opposing defenses she makes smart decisions, whether feeding her hitters or executing a well-timed dump. On the service line, her jump float is a weapon, delivering pinpoint spot serves that consistently result in multiple aces per match. Payton is a true all-around setter that’s dynamic, smart, and absolutely one to watch.

Tompkins was one of the TX Legacy 15 Elite team setters that finished first in the division with seven wins and just one set dropped. She played the backcourt rotations and made a major impact on the team’s offense. Tompkins ran an extremely fast-paced offense, sending bullet sets to the pins and consistently feeding her middles, making the lives of opposing blockers very hard. She also did a very good job of turning passes off the net into hittable sets, in a big part because of her ability to move around the court with great quickness. The setter also served very well and came up with nice digs at the right back position.