High Impact Freshmen Making Early Statements
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They have been in high school for maybe a month, but they are already making waves when it comes to their performance on the volleyball court. Here are a few Freshmen from Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin who are already putting…
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Continue ReadingThey have been in high school for maybe a month, but they are already making waves when it comes to their performance on the volleyball court. Here are a few Freshmen from Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin who are already putting up some big numbers.
Channing Johnson Channing Johnson 5'10" | S Denver | 2026 State IA – Denver (IA)
Setter
Denver has been one of the top programs in Class 2A the past few years and that is large in part to the Senior class they graduated last year. Setter, Reese Johnson was the quarterback of this offense and is now at Northern State in South Dakota. The last name stayed the same as her younger sister, Channing Johnson Channing Johnson 5'10" | S Denver | 2026 State IA has taken over the Cyclone offense and is one of the top assist leaders in the state of Iowa for all classes. One of her favorite targets is senior outside hitter Kayla Knowles Kayla Knowles 5'11" | OH Denver | 2023 State #161 Nation IA who is committed to Houston.
Brynn Bakula Brynn Bakula 5'8" | S Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA – Cedar Falls (IA)
Setter
Cedar Falls is traditionally one of the top large school programs in Iowa, and nothing like a freshman walking into run the show. Bakula is nearing 500 assists on the season, averaging nearly nine assists per set. The Tigers are currently ranked 7th in Class 5A and will be looking to get to state yet again after finishing being the state runner up in 2021.
Reese Naeve Reese Naeve 5'9" | OH Iowa City Regina Catholic | 2026 State IA – Iowa City Regina
Outside Hitter
Iowa City Regina is a program on the rise and they have some talented underclassmen leading the way. Naeve has 200 kills on the season and is nearing 200 digs as well. She can explode on her approach and is extremely dynamic in how she can positively impact her side of the net. Kiley Devery Kiley Devery 6'1" | MB Iowa City Regina | 2026 State IA is another freshman for Regina who is showing she can make an impact at the varsity level where this team will use a difficult regular season schedule to keep them battle tested heading into the postseason.
Kaylie Simons – Carroll Kuemper (IA)
Libero
Simons has stepped on to the varsity court and has made an instant impact for Carroll Kuemper Catholic. The commander of the defense, Simons has 240 digs on the season for the Knights who are 21-3, winning their past 20 of 21. Kuemper is always a strong program in West Central Iowa, with multiple appearances at the state tournament and a state title in 2019.
Peyton Carlson Peyton Carlson 5'11" | OH Waupaca | 2026 State WI – Waupaca (WI)
Outside Hitter
We can officially write about Peyton Carlson Peyton Carlson 5'11" | OH Waupaca | 2026 State WI . Carlson has been known around the state the past two years with her performances for FC Elite and also the Badger Region All Stat teams and NTDP. Carlson was named the 16 National MVP ‘ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”] for her FC Elite 16 Navy team who won the USAV National Division in Indy this past club season. Currenlty, Carlson is averaging 4.6 kills per set for Waupaca who is sitting at 12-3 overall in a loaded Northeastern Conference in Wisconsin.
Chelsea Posckocil – Heritage Christian (W)
Outside Hitter
Heritage Christian out of the Milwaukee area is on the rise with a roster loaded with freshmen who are making an impact. Psckocil is the leader in kills and hitting percentage with nearly three kills perset. She is also one of the top defenders with nearly three digs per set as well. Some other freshmen making an impact are setter Ainsley Ellis Ainsley Ellis 5'6" | S Heritage Christian | 2026 WI and middle blocker Katrina Dyck.
Allie Beers Allie Beers 6'0" | MB Slinger | 2026 State WI – Slinger (WI)
MB/Outside Hitter
Ella Kohnen Ella Kohnen S Slinger | 2026 State WI – Slinger (WI)
Setter/Outside
Beers and Kohnen were part of the Milwaukee Sting 14 Gold squad last club season where they were one of the top 14s teams in the country. Beers is an extremely dynamic middle who has a fast vertical and is deadly off one foot. She will be one of the top middles to have on the radar throughout the country heading into the club season. Kohnen is one of the top all around players in her class where she can set and swing. She is doing both for her varsity team and will continue throughout the club season
Alayna DePrez – Luxemburg-Casco (WI)
Setter
Luxemburg-Casco is the three time defending state champion in their division, but had a major void to replace All State setter Emma Johnson who is currently playing at Green Bay. Alayna DePrez has stepped into set the high powered offense of the Spartans where they are once again on the top teams in D2. She is uber quick and knows how to get her feet to the ball to put her attackers in a position to score.
Hannah Padilla Hannah Padilla 5'6" | S Pewaukee | 2026 State WI – Pewaukee (WI)
Setter
Pewaukee is another top team in D2 which is the second largest class in Wisconsin. They graduated two really strong setters in last year’s senior class and Padilla has filled in nicely for the Pirates. She is already at 650 assists on the season and is a proven defender as well. Pewaukee has some other key freshmen on their roster in Mia Hudson Mia Hudson 5'10" | OH Pewaukee | 2026 State WI and Kiley Eske Kiley Eske 5'5" | DS/L Pewaukee | 2026 State WI who have the potential to be high impact athletes.
Trixie Carroll – Eastland (IL)
Outside Hitter
Carroll is one of the top attackers in NW Illinois where she is from a small town, but has a big game. She is averaging nearly five kills per set and has another strong freshmen playing alongside her in Morgan McCullough.
Haley Burgdorf Haley Burgdorf 6'0" | OH St. Charles North | 2026 State IL – St. Charles North (IL)
Outside Hitter
Burgdorf is absolutely electric from the outside. She has an explosive approach and a powerful swing where she can do a lot of positive things for her side of the net. Burgdorf has played her club ball for Sports Performance and has made an early impact for St. Charles North. North competes in a very competitive conference and she is averaging nearly three kills per set and 71 digs this season for her team that is 14-5 overall.
Ella Jenkins Ella Jenkins DS/L McHenry | 2025 State IL – Oblong (IL)
Setter
Another small town, big game player, Jenkins is doing a little bit of everything for her Oblong High School team that is located in East Central Illinois. Jenkins is setting and taking swings for Oblong where she is averaging nearly two kills per set and over four assists per set.