The Top Ten Frosh for the Class of 2026
In this article:
This top ten could feature some impact players of the future. They have already made an impact on their varsity teams. Imagine the future when they gain a couple years’ experience. Keep a close eye on this group. Kennedy Spaid…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis top ten could feature some impact players of the future. They have already made an impact on their varsity teams. Imagine the future when they gain a couple years’ experience. Keep a close eye on this group.
The last frosh in this area to make a major impact for her high school team was Macaria Spears for Flint Hill. Kennedy did the same this year for James Wood but the spot light did not shine as bright. It will start shining brighter as more people become aware of her game outside Winchester. Kennedy led her team in kills, a pretty impressive feat for a frosh. The team also replaced 10 time defending champion Loudoun County as the State champions for Class 4. That may not have happened without her outside excellence. This year she will play for a very competitive Blue Ridge 16 team. The beach game also remains an important part of her skill set preparing her well for six rotations in the indoor game.
Highlights
She played right side while her older sister played left side for a Patriot team that finished second in the Cedar District. She stands a couple inches taller than her sister and puts the ball to the floor just as hard. Imagine what a few more years of experience will bring. The Cedar District voted her to their second team. Metro appears to be a perfect fit for her with two other girls also on this list. It would not surprise me to see a move to the left side. Soleil finished second to her sister in kills for Patriot.
While listed as a middle her hope is to move to an outside. She has the frame for it but her outside game needs a bit more experience. Her wrist snap on the ball creates lots of power but as an outside she must become more aware of the block or that hit will get rejected back at her. At the 15 level she should dominate. Paramount also has a couple middles on their roster so the flexibility exists to move her around. Those long arms can reach high over the net. Her approach jump falls just short of 10 feet. Whether she plays middle or outside for Paramount she will bring a powerful game to the court.
It can’t be easy for a frosh to be asked to set for a high school team that has championship aspirations. While Claire only set when in the back row a game can swing pretty quickly in three rotations. She possesses excellent court sense, knowing who to set and when to set them. Her quicks stay on target and leave the outsides open. For Paramount she plays at the 16 level, again guiding more experienced players while running a 5/1. This Paramount 16 team carries some powerful arms on their roster, but Claire is used to feeding talent. Her ability to find her hitters makes Paramount one of the teams to watch in the 2023 club season.
For James Wood she recorded the second most kills on the team. Pretty impressive for a player normally a libero who stands 5’5″. The spikes lack the velocity of a larger outside, but her court sense allows her to find the empty areas of the court. Placement over power sets her apart. For Blue Ridge she will return to her libero role. The beach appears to be her main game, with Kennedy Spaid Kennedy Spaid 5'11" | OH James Wood | 2026 State VA as her partner, allowing her to enhance her passing to almost pure perfection. Her feet also glide quickly along the hard court.
Another frosh tasked with filling a position fielded by a senior last year with the expectation of capturing another state championship for Flint Hill. Judging by the team’s performance she succeeded. Flint Hill did not lose a set until the championship match of the State Finals. The USA Today also rated Flint Hill the 20th best high school team in the country. As for Evie, the Washington Post showed how impressed they were with her performance by naming her to their All Met first team, the only frosh to be selected. She will also be playing one level up for Metro 16. Her sister showed some impressive volleyball IQ as a setter and now plays for Maryland. Evie chooses a different path for her game but brings that same volleyball IQ.
Morgan carries a powerful right arm that led St. Johns to a third place finish in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). Her sister normally came in for her in the back row as Morgan still struggles with the passing game. Once she improves on her back row play it will expand her offensive capabilities. She finished second on her team in kills. As she gains more experience and strength she will be a player to watch.
Highlights
You have to love her enthusiasm for the game. Another player tasked with a critical role after a senior graduation that exceeded expectations. Millbrook fought with James Wood for the Northwestern District championship. Ultimately, Millbrook fell short but Giselle was rewarded for her play by being voted to the Northwestern District first team. She will play with Emma and Soleil to form a solid Metro 15 team. Her passing will allow the Metro hitters to shine and she reads hitters like a children’s book when playing defense.
Highlights
For Woodson she played both right and left side. When she played left side she stayed for six rotations. Emma finished second for Woodson in kills. A faster arm swing would provide more power to her hits but that could come with more experience and repetitions. With her height and her strength she has the ability to hit the ball high off the block. Give her some time and her game will shine.
Highlights
In the Independent School League (ISL) Bullis moved from A to AA, competing in the same division as powerhouses Flint Hill and Georgetown Day. They made the move with a team filled with frosh and sophomores on their roster. Megan took over the setter role and led the team to a fourth place finish, upsetting a very strong Georgetown Day team in league play. She will be playing one year up for a Viriginia Juniors 16 team this year. She plays taller than her listed height.