A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 2026 Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first watchlist for the class of 2026 has been released! This has been a fun watchlist to develop because this class's talent is next-level. Freshmen across the state had huge high school seasons and are set to make a big impact during their 15s club season. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the building of the 2026 watchlist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Talent is Extensive</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of young athletes already plays at a very high level. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='221048' first='Natalie' last='Surges'] spent the week training with the National Team Development Program. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='277420' first='Allie' last='Beers'] will be playing up a year on Sting 16 Gold. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='277430' first='Peyton' last='Carlson'] is on the [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Elite Roster and was the MVP of the USAV Girls Junior National Championships 16 National Division as a 14-year-old. These are just a few of the top athletes in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>They Had a Huge Impact During the High School Season</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of athletes had a tremendous impact as freshmen during the high school season. [player_tooltip player_id='249678' first='Marlee' last='Sivak'] was a huge asset for Oconomowoc in their State Runner-Up title. [player_tooltip player_id='249665' first='Kennedy' last='Tisdale'] also made a state appearance with Wauwatosa East. She had the highest hitting percentage on her team, hitting 0.384 in her freshman season. [player_tooltip player_id='245609' first='Delaney' last='Stapel'] was also on the Wauwatosa East squad and earned playing time in 43 sets, averaging 1.3 kills per set. Melania Ganquist was the starting middle for Wittenberg-Birnamwood, who also made a state appearance in Division 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other athletes had significant impacts as well. [player_tooltip player_id='277435' first='Hannah' last='Padilla'] (Pewaukee), [player_tooltip player_id='284075' first='Ruby' last='Friess'] (Waukesha West), [player_tooltip player_id='284080' first='Emma' last='Duff'] (Brookfield Central), and [player_tooltip player_id='284079' first='Alayna' last='Deprez'] (Luxemburg-Casco) both had big years as setters for their teams. On the pins, [player_tooltip player_id='240999' first='Mia' last='Hudson'] (Pewaukee), [player_tooltip player_id='209368' first='Mia' last='Jannazzo'] (Waukesha West), and [player_tooltip player_id='249692' first='Zoe' last='Wockenfus'] (Appleton East) were all impact athletes from the moment they stepped on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>They are coming off massive success on a national level.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These athletes have played on some of the biggest stages. Last year at USAV Girl's Junior National Championships at the 14s level, Badger Region teams that these athletes played on had big finishes. Sting 14 Gold (Open) and [program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 14 Elite (National) placed 11th in their respective divisions. [program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 15 Black placed 5th in the Freedom Division. Sting 14 White won the national championship in the Patriot Division, and I AM Volleyball 14 Red placed 5th. These athletes will want to continue on with their success during this upcoming club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The future is bright!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a ton of fun watching these athletes during the high school season and at the Top 250 Expo. They play with maturity, passion, and athleticism. I can't wait to watch them continue to have an impact both on a state and national level. Tournament season for club is right around the corner, and I am sure this list will only continue to grow as we get in the gym to watch them play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->