Daughters of Pro Athletes Excel in High School Volleyball

Patrick Ewings Daughter Alexis Ewing in high school volleyball

Image: bronxnettelevision | YouTube

Excelling on the high school volleyball court can be difficult. Even more so when you’re the daughter or sister of a current or former professional athlete.

But these 20 athletes, who already have the name recognition, have found a way to make a name for themselves with impressive stat lines, championships and national rankings.

Patrick Ewing‘s daughter Alexis Ewing is blazing trails in her home state of Maryland by becoming a pioneer in name, image and likeness opportunities. The Bullis (Potomac, Md.) standout was the first to grab NIL deals after the state relaxed the rules on high school athletes.

The Penn State commit, whose mother is a former volleyball All-American at Long Beach State as well as her coach, signed a deal with College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, according to a story in the Washington Post.

Ewing is not unlike a lot of athletes cashing in on that front, but her surname does, perhaps, draw more attention.

“The fact that she’s my daughter, she’s her mom’s daughter, I don’t think that should add pressure to her. I just think she has great genes,” Patrick Ewing told the Post in December.

Alexis Ewing told the paper the pressure with her last name is something she takes in stride.

“Sometimes there is pressure to live up to my parents and all they have accomplished,” she told the Post. “That’s the biggest struggle — to make them proud.”

Chloe Elarton — Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)

Father: Scott Elarton. The 6-foot-7 pitcher spent 10 seasons in the Majors with Houston, Colorado, Cleveland and Kansas City. He finished his career 56-61 with a 5.29 ERA and 698 strikeouts.
Daughter: The 5-11 junior setter has 436 assists this season for the 15-0 Eagles. A preseason MaxPreps All-American, she has tallied 1,633 assists in her prep career.

Alexis Ewing — Bullis (Potomac, Md.)

Father: Patrick Ewing. A Basketball Hall of Fame member, he was a transformative center in high school, collegiately at Georgetown and then with the New York Knicks. He was a McDonald’s All American and National Player of the Year in high school, an NCAA champion and scored 24,815 points with 11,617 rebounds in the NBA.

Mother: Cheryl Weaver. She’s the coach at Bullis and was an All-American volleyball player at Long Beach State.

Daughter: The junior outside hitter has led the Bulldogs to a 6-2 mark this season, averaging nearly five kills per set. The 6-4 Penn State commit is ranked in the top five in her class in the DMV and became the first prep athlete in Maryland to take advantage of NIL opportunities. Last season, she posted 114 kills in 36 sets and led the Bulldogs to the postseason.

Jessica Fields — Mount Paran Christian (Kennesaw, Ga.)

Brother: Justin Fields. The starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears, he played prep ball at Harrison before leading Ohio State to the 2021 CFB National Championship game. This season he’s thrown for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Bears.

Sister: Also a top 2025 basketball player, the 6-1 junior middle blocker had 47 kills, 26 blocks and 16 digs for the 36-9 Eagles. On the hardwood last season, Fields helped Mount Paran to the AA title, scoring 23 in the title contest.

Janelle Green — Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kan.)

Father: Trent Green. A 15-year NFL and CFL veteran who won a Super Bowl while with the St. Louis Rams. He threw for more than 28,000 yards in his career, was a two-time Pro Bowl player and is tied for the longest pass in NFL history (99 yards). He also has been seen as a line judge at some of BVN’s home matches.

Daughter: A Cincinnati commit, she’s closing in on 2,000 career assists as a four-year varsity player for the Mustangs. The MaxPreps All-American has helped BVN to a 27-2 record while posting 435 assist this season with 132 kills and 176 digs.

Eva Jefferies — Sierra Canyon

Father: Jared Jefferies. The 11th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft played 11 years in the association for the Wizards, Knicks, Rockets and Blazers, scoring 3,003 points in his career. He played prep ball at Bloomington North and stayed in-state to play collegiately for the Hoosiers. In 2002, he led Indiana on a Cinderella run to the NCAA title game. He dropped 24 points with 15 boards against No. 1 Duke in the East Regional semis.

Daughter: The 6-3 freshman has 43 kills in 33 sets played for the Trailblazers. She’s hitting at 41 percent on a team with several MaxPreps All-Americans. She has 14 aces and 10 blocks on the season.

Ava Jurevicius — Lincoln Lutheran (Lincoln, Neb.)

Father: Joe Jurevicius. A Super Bowl champion in 2002 with Tampa Bay, the wide receiver spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Giants, Seahawks and Browns. A second-round pick in the 1998 draft after playing at Penn State, Jurevicius has 4,119 career receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in the NFL.

Daughter: The 5-10 defensive specialist transferred to the Warriors this season after older sister Caroline began playing at the University of Nebraska. Ava, a junior, has 117 kills in 64 sets for 26-1 Lincoln Lutheran. She has 175 digs and 111 serve receives on the season.

Jadyn Livings — Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)

Father: Nate Livings. A BCS National Champion with LSU in 2003, the guard played six seasons in the NFL with the Bengals and Cowboys.

Daughter: The oldest of three playing with the Lions, Jadyn is an integral part of the No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 with 251 kills in 87 sets along with 156 digs and 45 blocks. The USC commit has topped the 1,000 kill mark for her career after posting 581 as a sophomore and 397 last season as Prestonwood won the TAPPS 6A title.

Naomi Livings — Prestonwood Christian

Father: Nate Livings

Daughter: A freshman coming back from surgery on a broken ankle, she has 82 kills in 49 sets and 23 blocks for the 28-4 Lions.

Nyla Livings — Prestonwood Christian

Father: Nate Livings.

Daughter: Also a freshman, she is hitting 45 percent with 164 kills in 84 sets and 66 blocks. Coach Ryan Mitchell called her and Naomi the next wave for the program.

Halie McGinest — Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Father: Willie McGinest. The three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots spent 12 seasons in the NFL finishing his career in Cleveland. He went to Long Beach Poly and USC before being drafted No. 4 overall in 1994.

Daughter: A transfer to the Trailblazers from Long Beach Poly, the 6-0 outside hitter has 125 kills in 49 sets for the No. 15 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. Her older sister Riley is in her sophomore season at USC.

Hanna McGinest — Sierra Canyon

Father: Willie McGinest.

Daughter: The freshman has 235 kills while hitting at nearly 40 percent for the 32-5 Trailblazers. The 5-10 hitter has added 159 digs and 253 serve receives while playing on a squad with a national schedule. She posted a season-high 24 kills in a five-set win over JSerra Catholic on Aug. 17.

Laycee McGrady — Fort Bend Christian Academy (Sugar Land, Texas)

Father: Tracy McGrady. The 1997 McDonald’s All American went directly to the NBA after high school, spending 16 years in the association. He’s a seven-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion who finished with 18,381 points.

Daughter: Just a sophomore, she’s pounded 55 kills in 46 sets for the 27-3 Eagles as they look to get back to the TAPPS 5A championship game.

Ava Pierzynski — The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.)

Father: A.J. Pierzynski. A 2005 World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, he played 18 seasons in the Majors with the Twins, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, Cardinals and Braves. A catcher, the two-time All-Star hit .280 for his career with 2,043 hits and 188 home runs.

Daughter: The senior hitter and defensive specialist also plays beach volleyball for the Royals. This season she’s posted 133 kills in 39 sets as First Academy is 14-9.

Amanda Prior — Academy of Our Lady of Peace (San Diego)

Father: Mark Prior. A four-year Major League veteran, he spent his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA and 757 strikeouts and won a World Series in 2020. He’s now a coach with the Los Angele Dodgers.

Daughter: No stats are posted on MaxPreps, but the San Diego Union Tribune named her in the preseason as a “Player to Watch.” The 6-1 outside hitter plays club with Coast Volleyball.

Caitlin Prior — Academy of Our Lady of Peace

Father: Mark Prior.

Daughter: The 5-7 sophomore setter had helped the Pilots to a 17-7 record in the San Diego Section. She also plays for Coast Volleyball in club.

Macaria Spears — Prestonwood Christian

Father: Marcus Spears. A defensive end who spent eight seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys and Ravens, he’s become a commentator on ESPN after first becoming a co-host of SEC Nation in 2014. He had 236 career tackles and 10 sacks.

Daughter: On a loaded Lions team, the recent Texas commit is a power hitter who draws extra defensive attention and still manages thunderous kills. She’s a leading candidate for MaxPreps Player of the Year and has 277 kills in 70 sets. She’s aces 21 aces, 102 digs and 28 blocks .

Addie Stinchcomb — Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.)

Father: Matt Stinchcomb. The offensive tackle was the 18th pick overall in 1999 by the Oakland Raiders and played six seasons in the NFL. He was a two-time All-American at Georgia and his brother Jon also played for the Bulldogs as well as in the NFL with the Saints.

Daughter: The junior setter has 442 assist, 77 digs and 27 aces for the 26-7 Spartans. She’s posted double-digit assists in every match this season with a high of 49 in an Aug. 24 four-set win over Hebron Christian.

Mila Stojakovic — St. Francis (Sacramento, Calif.)

Father: Peja Stojakovic. A Sacramento Kings legend, he played 19 professional seasons including 13 in the NBA. He won a NBA title in 2011 with the Mavericks and was a three-time NBA All-Star. He finished his career with 13,647 points.

Daughter: The senior outside hitter has been sidelined most the season with injuries. She posted 196 kills as a sophomore and 20 in nine sets as a junior.

Ally Weathers — Loretto (Tenn.)

Father: David Weathers. A pitcher who was part of the New York Yankees’ 1996 World Series team, he spent 18 years in the Major Leagues. He was 72-88 with a 4.25 ERA and 976 strikeouts in his career. His son Ryan was a first-round draft pick by the Padres in 2018 and is now on the Marlins.

Daughter: The junior middle has a team-high 399 kills on the season for the 41-7 Mustangs while hitting at 40 percent. She also leads Loretto with 50 blocks and  has added 381 digs and 399 receives. She’s also a basketball player who averaged 17.3 points as her squad went 22-9.

Lailaa Williams — Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, Calif.)

Father: Sheldon Williams. The nine-year NBA veteran was the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He played collegiately at Duke and is the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots and rebounds.

Mother: Candace Parker. Regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all-time, she is a two-time champion, Finals MVP and two-time league MVP. She’s played professionally for 15 years and currently plays with the Las Vegas Aces. She was the first overall pick in 2008 after playing her college ball at Tennessee.

Daughter: A freshman for the 26-4 Vikings, she has posted 83 kills in 72 sets along with 38 blocks.

  1. Athletic Highlights

    Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais Joins 2026 Polynesian Bowl Roster

    2026 Englewood Cherry Creek DL offer Tufanua Umu-Cais

    2026 Englewood Cherry Creek DL offer Tufanua Umu-Cais

    Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais has received an invitation to participate in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl, as announced on Tuesday.

    The standout player from Colorado expressed his excitement about this honor.

    “Being selected to the Polynesian Bowl is a huge honor,” stated Umu-Cais. “It’s a recognition of all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices I’ve made, and it means even more knowing how much pride and history are connected to the game. I have seen many players in the Poly Bowl and even players that are in the league now. It is truly special to be a part of something like that.”

    Umu-Cais is eager to immerse himself in the experience in Hawaii.

    “I’m extremely excited,” he said. “The Polynesian culture is so rich, full of pride, family, and tradition. I’m looking forward to learning more, meeting new people, and embracing everything the experience has to offer. I am extremely excited to immerse myself in the Poly community because it’s my culture. I can’t wait to really put on for my family as well as my community.”

    This will mark his first visit to the Aloha State.

    “I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, so this will be my first time,” Umu-Cais shared. “I’m really looking forward to it—the beauty, the culture, and the experience of a lifetime.”

    Additionally, Umu-Cais is enthusiastic about the opportunity to compete alongside some of the nation’s top talents.

    “I do not know the roster yet and what players are going to be attending, but I look forward to meeting them and also competing,” he noted.

    The roster for the 2026 Polynesian Bowl includes early invitees such as Immanuel Iheanacho, Faizon Brandon, DJ Jacobs, Myson Johnson-Cook, Brandon Arrington, Chris Henry Jr., Kendre Harrison, Cederian Morgan, Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, Xavier Griffin, Kelsey Adams, Jamier Brown, George Toia, and Jett Washington.

    The 2027 Polynesian Bowl will feature early invites including Elijah Haven, Trent Seaborn, and Marcus Fakatou.

    Launched in 2017, the Polynesian Bowl saw its first Offensive MVP awarded to former Stanford all-purpose back Connor Wedington, while Buffalo Bills defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa earned the Defensive MVP. The following year, Kyler Gordon from the Chicago Bears and Tanner McKee from the Philadelphia Eagles were named Co-MVPs.

    The 2019 contest awarded co-MVP honors to Daniel Heimuli, a linebacker from Arizona, and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. In 2020, Sol-Jay Maiava, the quarterback from BYU, and Meki Pei from Hawaii won co-MVP awards.

    The 2021 edition saw Travis Hunter from Colorado take home the offensive MVP title, while Jaishawn Barham of Michigan earned defensive MVP honors. In 2023, Nico Iamaleava, a quarterback from Tennessee, was named offensive MVP, and linebacker Andrew Harris garnered defensive MVP accolades.

    The 2024 game awarded offensive MVP to Mike Matthews from Tennessee and defensive MVP to David Stone of Oklahoma. Lastly, the 2025 contest featured co-MVPs on offense in Husan Longstreet from USC and Dakorien Moore from Oregon, while 2026 defensive lineman Deuce Geralds earned the defensive MVP honor.

    The tenth Polynesian Bowl is scheduled for January 16, 2026, in Honolulu and will be broadcasted by NFL Network.

    For more details on the 2026 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.

    The eleventh Polynesian Bowl is slated for January 22, 2027, in Honolulu and will also be aired by NFL Network.

    For insights on the 2027 Polynesian Bowl roster, go here.

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  2. Athletic Highlights

    Creighton Secures Former MEAC Player of the Year Blake Harper

    DMV Hoop Session Interviews Suburban All Star Blake Harper

    DMV Hoop Session Interviews Suburban All Star Blake Harper

    Blake Harper, a standout freshman basketball player from Howard University, confirmed his transfer to Creighton University on Sunday through social media.

    Harper, who garnered both the MEAC Player and Rookie of the Year honors, shared his decision on Instagram @_bharp.

    “you can’t say i ain’t earn it??” he wrote. “RDJ”

    A Washington, D.C. native who previously played at Gonzaga College High School, Harper entered the transfer portal on March 24 and ultimately chose Creighton, turning down offers from LSU and Ohio State. Standing 6-foot-8, he also had the choice to return to Howard.

    Harper is set to join a Creighton team coached by Greg McDermott, who led the Bluejays to an impressive 25-11 overall record, including a 15-5 performance in the Big East Conference during the 2024-25 season. The Bluejays secured an NCAA Tournament spot and concluded the season ranked 24th in the USA Today Coaches poll.

    Throughout the 2024-25 season, Harper made an impact at Howard, starting in all 32 games and averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, contributing to the Bison’s 12-20 record, which included a 7-7 performance in the MEAC.

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  3. Athletic Highlights

    Which Teams Are Leading Michigan High School Baseball This Week?

    Bay City Western baseball ready for state semifinals

    Bay City Western baseball ready for state semifinals

    The Michigan high school baseball season has kicked off, and we’re here to deliver weekly rankings of the top teams across the state during the spring and summer months.

    Check out this week’s standout teams in the Mitten region.

    Michigan High School Baseball Rankings: Apr. 29

    1. Bay City Western (12-1)

    Bay City Western triumphed over Flint Powers Catholic 9-0 last Thursday but faced a setback with a 4-1 loss against Midland on Monday. The Warriors are gearing up for their next games against Lapeer on May 1 and Grand Blanc on May 5.

    2. De La Salle (12-2)

    The Pilots swept Auburn Hills Avondale on Saturday, winning both games 15-0, with game one ending after four innings and game two after three. De La Salle’s next challenge comes in the form of a doubleheader against Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice on April 30.

    3. Northville (14-1)

    The Mustangs notched wins against Hartland and two over Utica last week, followed by a victory against Howell on Monday. Northville is poised for a rematch against Howell on April 30.

    4. Dakota (11-4)

    After a heavy 10-0 loss to Rochester Adams last weekend, the Cougars bounced back with decisive wins against Sterling Heights Stevenson, claiming victories of 10-0 on Monday and 14-2 on Tuesday. Dakota is slated to face Stevenson two more times to wrap up their four-game series.

    5. Birmingham Brother Rice (11-6)

    The Warriors pulled off a sweep against Detroit Edison last week (2-0) and secured a 10-6 victory over Hartland on Friday. Up next, Brother Rice will face rival De La Salle for a doubleheader on April 30.

    6. Grosse Pointe South (18-2)

    With a win over Detroit Edison on Saturday, the Blue Devils set a new school record with their 15th consecutive victory. Although they stumbled against Anchor Bat on Monday, they have a chance for revenge on April 30 and May 1.

    7. Saline (15-1)

    The Hornets swept Chelsea in two games on Saturday and achieved a similar result against Ann Arbor Huron on Monday. With a five-game winning streak, Saline is stepping into the final match of their three-game series against Ann Arbor Huron on April 30.

    8. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-8)

    OLSM traveled to Ohio over spring break, where they faced three games: an 8-7 defeat against Anthony Wayne, a 3-2 loss to Defiance on Saturday, and an 8-3 loss to Perrysburg later that day. The Eaglets are set to resume their Catholic League schedule on April 30 with a doubleheader against U of D Jesuit.

    9. Romeo (16-2)

    The Bulldogs are on an impressive seven-game winning streak, recently sweeping Stoney Creek on Saturday. They’ll look to maintain their momentum with a visit to Utica Ford next on May 1.

    10. Sterling Heights Stevenson (12-2)

    Stevenson is riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Anchor Bay twice on Saturday and mercying Dakota on Monday. The Titans will meet Dakota again on April 30 and May 1 before a brief pause, then face Utica Ford on May 5.

    11. Hudsonville (12-2)

    The Eagles wrapped up last week with a strong 5-1 record, including victories against Jenison and Rockford. Hudsonville is set to take on Rockford again on May 1 before hosting a doubleheader against Maple Valley the following day.

    12. Jenison (8-2)

    The Wildcats dominated Muskegon with a 15-0 win but narrowly lost to Hudsonville 9-8 last week. They split a doubleheader against Caledonia on Tuesday (W, 10-0; L, 3-2), with a rubber match scheduled for May 1.

    13. New Boston Huron (16-0)

    The Chiefs kept their unbeaten record intact last week with wins over Allen Park and Milan. They are set to play Flat Rock next on April 30 and have a matchup with Dearborn Divine Child on May 2.

    14. Detroit Catholic Central (10-6)

    The Shamrocks are currently on a four-game winning streak, most recently sweeping Portage Central on Tuesday. Up next, Detroit Catholic Central will face St. Francis de Sales in a doubleheader on April 30.

    15. West Bloomfield (8-3)

    The Lakers split a doubleheader with Rochester last week and followed that up with back-to-back wins against Groves, including an 8-1 victory on Tuesday. West Bloomfield will meet Groves once more on May 1 before taking on Stoney Creek on May 3.

    16. Dexter (13-6)

    The Dreadnaughts have struggled recently, dropping four of their last six games, including both matches in a doubleheader against Ann Arbor Skyline on Monday. They have another opportunity against Skyline on April 30 before heading to Adrian on May 3.

    17. Woodhaven (15-5)

    The Warriors have secured consecutive victories after experiencing two losses in a row, with their latest triumph coming against Dearborn Edsel Ford, winning 2-1 in a dramatic nine-inning game on Monday. Woodhaven’s upcoming opponents include Wyandotte on April 30, followed by Taylor on May 1.

    18. Rochester Adams (15-4)

    Rochester Adams holds a 2-2 record over its last four games, having recently suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Stoney Creek on Tuesday. The Highlanders have another chance to face Stoney Creek on May 2 before taking on Grosse Pointe North in a doubleheader on May 3.

    19. Trenton (13-3)

    The Trojans went 2-1 at the 9th Bob Kreszyn Classic on Saturday, achieving victories over Wayland and Flint Powers Catholic, with their only setback against Utica Ford. Additionally, Trenton triumphed over Taylor on Monday, and their next matchup is against Dearborn Edsel Ford on April 30.

    20. Midland (6-2)

    Midland upset the top-ranked team in the state, securing a 4-1 victory over Bay City Western on Monday. Despite a number of canceled games this season, the Chemics’ schedule is about to heat up, starting with a game against Davison on April 30.

    21. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-5)

    Pontiac Notre Dame Prep faced a tough doubleheader against Flushing on Saturday, resulting in two losses, but bounced back on Monday with a solid 9-2 win over U of D Jesuit.

    22. Detroit Western (13-5)

    After a 12-7 win against Grosse Pointe North on Saturday, the Cowboys suffered an 8-3 loss to Grosse Pointe South later that day. However, they regained their momentum with a 5-2 victory over Cass Tech on Tuesday. Detroit Western is set to face Livonia Stevenson next on April 30.

    23. Grand Ledge (13-5)

    The Comets faced a tough defeat in a doubleheader against Okemos on Monday, breaking a four-game winning streak. Grand Ledge will aim to bounce back during a doubleheader against Lansing Everett on May 1.

    24. Mattawan (8-2-3)

    Mattawan has triumphed in four of its last five outings, although they faced a setback against Grandville, losing 4-3 on Saturday. The Wildcats will take on Gull Lake next in a doubleheader on April 30.

    25. Allen Park (8-5)

    The Jaguars managed to avoid a third consecutive loss by overpowering Lincoln Park with a decisive 15-0 win on Monday. Allen Park will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to host Taylor for a doubleheader on April 30.

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