2026 Watchlist Players to Know: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 watchlist is stacked with talent. I am already looking forward to seeing these athletes compete again. The talent runs deep in this class and from clubs across the state. Here are the names to know on the 2026 watchlist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388453"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ambryn is an incredibly talented lefty right side hitter who is one of the players to watch in this class. She has a high contact point and an explosive approach. At the Battle at the Bay, she was pounding balls and was virtually unstoppable. She is a go-to hitter that never misses a beat when she is on the court.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["388460"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Kaitlin is a powerhouse pin who is very well-rounded. She can play all six rotations and is consistent and athletic. She is a tough player who has a gritty mentality on the court. She has great fundamentals that set her up for success. Kaitlin has huge potential and is already impressive in her talent.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["388450"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Lily has a massive presence on the court. She is an impact-player. She takes big swings and has great power and timing. She has really impressed me with her intensity and discipline at Battle at the Bay. Lily is an up and coming middle in this class who should be on your radar.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["388446"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Alaina sets herself apart because she is aggressive on the court. She has a huge vertical. Opponents can't take Alaina for granted - she will execute on any ball that is sent her way. She is impactful both in and out of system and manufactures points on the pin. Alaina also swings well out of the back row and adds value on defense and serve receive as well.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["376307"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Sierra is an up and coming middle hitter who is incredibly athletic and quick. She is talented as a blocker and moves across the net to close blocks on both pins. She has a high contact point and the potential to be a powerhouse middle. Sierra has huge potential and is a player to watch in this class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["277435"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Hannah is a setter with great ball control. She has a great connection with her hitters and is always engaged on the court. She works hard on every play and is a natural leader on both her club and high school teams. Hannah also has an aggressive serve that usually keeps her on the back line for multiple points in a row.  She adds a lot of value and always steps up in challenging situations.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["376299"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Jayce is a libero who is incredibly scrappy. She works hard on every play and gets some great touches. What sets Jayce apart is her huge hustle on the court. She pursues every ball, no matter how tough the pick up is. She is a great defender on the court.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["376297"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Kaia is the definition of a great 6-rotation pin. She is well-rounded and always wants the ball. She is engaged on every play on the court and will take aggressive swings out of both the front and back row. Kaia is great on defense and serve receive. She has huge potential and is a player to watch in this class.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["376271"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Kaitlin is a setter with clean hands and a great jump set. She runs the court well and is a leader on every team she plays on. She moves the ball around with ease and utilizes all of her hitters. Kaitlin is an impressive setter who is hard to read and works to better the ball on every play.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["376262"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Ella is a disciplined and talented setter. She has clean hands and an aggressive mindset. Ella is competitive on the court - she utilizes her hitters well yet knows when to tip to earn points. She also plays on the right side and earns points on offense. Ella is a solid 6-rotation player who is consistent and competitive on every point.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["376259"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Grace is a scrappy pin. She uses whatever she is given, whether it is in or out of system. She makes tough plays work. Grace has great shots and even better ball control. She adds value on defense and serve receive as well.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["388477"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Mackenna has recently exploded onto my radar. She is a 6-rotation athlete who runs a 5-1 on her club team. She is aggressive, competitive, and athletic. Mackenna is a smart athlete who knows when to take a swing or tip the ball. She demands a lot from her teammates through her play and is a great leader on the court.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["388482"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Reese is another talented pin in this class. She has a massive vertical and hang time. She has a a high contact point and a very fast arm swing. Reese is very effective as a pin. She makes great choices with her shots and is aggressive on offense.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["388553"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Chayse is an all around athlete. She takes a big approach and is aggressive with her swings. Chayse is dynamic and has the potential to play all six rotations. She has great fundamentals and works hard on the court. She earns points through a balance of power and shots.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["299942"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"Sophia is a massive middle with big potential. She puts up a truly huge block and works hard to move from pin to pin on the court. When she is in the front row she is engaged and is always calling for the ball. Sophia has all the makings of a great middle and is an athlete on the rise in this class.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":15,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-645065cbf0367"} /-->