2026 Rankings: High Value Opposites

[player_tooltip player_id='227832' first='Lyla' last='Stewart'] - #17 Stewart was a definite stock riser for us this club season as her highlights often come from her ability to terminate from the right pin with a heavy arm. The increased consistency in her arm work as a hitter can lead to some of the biggest pace from the opposite position in this class. She was an increasingly big factor for Mintonette's top 15U team as the club season progressed and saw great opportunities in critical moments given the aggressiveness and reliability of her arm on the right side, which also helped create terrific balance for their potent offense. This team earned another national title as the 2023 gold champion at the AAU event. At 6'0, she also has good movement and reaction when blocking to get off the floor fast with her hands pressed across quickly. As a freshman in 2022, she led St. Francis DeSales offensively with 3.8 k/s.   [player_tooltip player_id='227620' first='Sienna' last='Fry'] - #32 A 2022 2nd team selection in the [program_tooltip program_id='430858' first='Western' last='Buckeye'] League for Ottawa-Glandorf, Fry was second on the team offensively with 2.8 k/s and on the defensive side at the net with 40 total blocks. Some aspects that set her apart are her size as she is 6'1 and has a long frame that benefits her action above the net. Additionally, she is a lefty, which always is an asset with big point-scoring potential for any team. As she continues to grow her experience, including improving her ability to close to the ball at then end of her approach work, she could elevate her position here within the top 20-30 prospects in Ohio.   [player_tooltip player_id='403533' first='Haley' last='Wilson'] - #47 (*pictured) Independence had a perfect 10-0 record in Chagrin Valley-Metro league play in 2022 as Wilson was the second-leading offensive threat for the Blue Devils with 2.8 k/s. She was also a big contributor defensively at the net with 35 total blocks, also for second on the team. During the club season, she had a solid campaign for AVC's top 15U team as they earned a 5th place finish in 15 Open at USAV nationals this summer. She does good work to get her feet to the ball based upon the location true to the pin or falling inside that allows her to consistently get a healthy swing on the ball. At 6'0, she swings with a high elbow and contact that can be tough to slow down at the net.   [player_tooltip player_id='403536' first='Katelyn' last='Pahl'] - #48 In her first year with Perrysburg, Pahl had a respectable season earning 104 total kills as the Yellow Jackets advanced to the state semifinal round. Over the course of the recent club season she showcased the value and depth of her skill set well for a solid TVC 15 Black team. It is not too common that you see opposites play six rotations unless they are also setting. Pahl has all the tools to contribute at the net with her arm and defensively. As Pahl contributed to their serve receive patterns, she also performed well as a defender in the back row. Additionally, she also uses her arm well, providing an offensive piece as well as in the terrific service pressure she can deliver.   [player_tooltip player_id='227630' first='Ava' last='Brown'] - #52 As a freshman for Lexington, Brown made a big first-year impact in dual roles. As an attacker, she led the Minutemen offensively at 4.2 k/s and a total of 330 kills on the season with a .384 efficiency. In sharing the setting responsibilities, she contributed a total of 337 assists as Lexington finished the 2022 season with a 19-6 overall record. Outside of our radar until late in this cycle, we are excited to get a better look at Brown this coming high school season as she appears to have the foundation to rise well in our 2026 rankings going forward, especially given her two-way skill set through six rotations for Lexington.

Lyla Stewart Lyla Stewart 6'0" | RS St. Francis de Sales | 2026 State OH - #17
Stewart was a definite stock riser for us this club season as her highlights often come from her ability to terminate from the right pin with a heavy arm. The increased consistency in her arm work as a hitter can lead to some of the biggest pace from the opposite position in this class. She was an increasingly big factor for Mintonette's top 15U team as the club season progressed and saw great opportunities in critical moments given the aggressiveness and reliability of her arm on the right side, which also helped create terrific balance for their potent offense. This team earned another national title as the 2023 gold champion at the AAU event. At 6'0, she also has good movement and reaction when blocking to get off the floor fast with her hands pressed across quickly. As a freshman in 2022, she led St. Francis DeSales offensively with 3.8 k/s.