Behind the Scenes of the 2026 Rankings
The 2026 rankings are live! I am so excited that our initial ranking is finally out! A lot of hours went into this ranking, and I am excited to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the process! This was one…
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Continue ReadingThe 2026 rankings are live! I am so excited that our initial ranking is finally out! A lot of hours went into this ranking, and I am excited to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the process!
This was one of the toughest rankings I have done.
That is a completely honest statement. There is so much talent and even more potential in this class. There was no clear top 30. I pored over film. I pulled notes from all the events I attended, including the Prep Dig Gauntlet, Nationals, The Stock Up Showcase, IHSA State, and the recent Top 250 Expo. I utilized every resource I had to try and make this a great ranking.
No ranking is perfect – and your rank does not define you as an athlete.
I wish I could plaster that across every wall in the gym. No ranking is ever perfect. This is a resource. It’s a jumping-off point. Yes, we did the best we could, but there is so much that makes an athlete unique. It isn’t just their play but their leadership, mental toughness, improvement over time, and so much more. I used every resource I had to try and make this as accurate as possible; however, as I continue to see teams over this club season, more and more athletes will explode onto my radar (that is why rankings are updated several times a year!).
The players in this class are next-level.
Seeing the volleyball in this class is impressive. I have huge respect for the hard work of all of the athletes on the rankings and watch list and those who aren’t on our radar yet. Every time I see teams and players on the court, I see improvement, and it is amazing to watch.
Want to get on our radar?
There are a lot of ways to get on our radar! Follow me on Twitter and Tag me in your highlights (@PrepDigRachel). You can tag us in your schedules as well! Attending our events is a great way to explode onto our radar. I highly recommend getting active on our Prospect Index as well (it’s free). If you already have a profile, please make sure all of your information is accurate (especially club changes)!
A final comment
All of the Prep Dig Scouts have one thing in common: we love to be in the gym. So, coming out to do coverage doesn’t feel like work; it is fun! We also love interacting with athletes (many of us, including myself, are coaches), so if you see me at an event, please come say hi! We are so passionate about volleyball and love seeing all of the improvements, college commitments, and accomplishments of all athletes!
Also, we have more in-depth FAQs and information on the rankings process on our site at this link.