Class of 2026 State Ranking New Additions Vol 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The State Rankings update is here!!! We have added quite a few new players in this update and tons have made some serious moves bettering their stock.&nbsp; We have been watching the 2026 class very closely throughout the entire high school and new club season. &nbsp;A lot of the analysis has come from watching these players in person and also by watching the amazing footage that has been uploaded to everyone's recruiting profiles.&nbsp; We have been talking to a lot of coaches across the country and this class is littered with college prospects.&nbsp; The following players showed us all that they deserved to be listed in the rankings due to their individual performances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482022' first='Elle' last='Vandeweghe'] [2026] 6-5 Middle (HS: Marymount/Club: Long Beach Mizuno/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please officially welcome Miss Vandeweghe to the State Rankings.&nbsp; She is currently ranked as the 46^th&nbsp;best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays at Marymount High School and for the Long Beach Mizuno volleyball club program.&nbsp; Miss Vandeweghe is way more than a tall middle.&nbsp; Her ability to patrol the net on the defensive end is remarkable.&nbsp; Her footwork is extremely solid at creating a lot of speed with her first step toward the pins and she closes very well with her last two steps.&nbsp; But most won't see how she is able to read the opponent's pass and the posture of their setter to communicate her team where to set up the block.&nbsp; This kind of reading as a middle is why I have her listed on the rankings and think she has the potential to be shooting up the list during our next updates.&nbsp; As an attacker, She creates what I like to call a perfect “hitter's triangle” in relation to her setter to have great distance from the net and still keep the ball in front of her to hit with power.&nbsp; Most middle's like to overrun their route and be too tight to the net.&nbsp; Elle deserves many looks from schools who need a dominant middle for their roster needs.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on her achievement of being listed amongst the great players of this state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469145' first='Blair' last='Gardiner'] [2026] 5-8 Setter (HS: Santa Fe Christian/Club: SoCal VBC/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please officially welcome Miss Gardiner to the State Rankings.&nbsp; She is currently ranked as the 47^th best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays at Santa Fe Christian High School and for the SoCal volleyball club program.&nbsp; As a setter, Blair is very skilled and technical with her form.&nbsp; Every set looks identical in regards to her hand contact with the ball.&nbsp; Her right side set has pinpoint accurate location no matter where she is on the court.&nbsp; When she gets her right side setting posture to look like she is going to set forward, watch out!&nbsp; It is coming along nicely.&nbsp; I also love how she uses her jump set to all locations to keep the defense honest and not cheating toward a pin.&nbsp; Defensively, she is a dynamo and her motor never stops. Her teammates can always count on her to be ready to pick up any errant digs or deflections off the block.&nbsp; On hard driven balls hit from the opposing attackers, Miss Gardiner is amazing at collapse digs in which she is able to keep the ball on her side of the court.&nbsp; Her body absorbs the contact really well as she cushions the power.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a spot in our prestigious State Rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472099' first='Haley' last='Smith'] [2026] 5-10 Outside (HS: Liberty Ranch/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please officially welcome Miss Smith to the State Rankings.&nbsp; She is currently ranked as the 48^th&nbsp;best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays at Liberty Ranch High School.&nbsp; Haley is a two-sport stud who also shines on the basketball hardwood for her high school.&nbsp; She truly stepped up this year and more than doubled her kill total from last season.&nbsp; This kind of production for her varsity squad was crucial to her making the list.&nbsp; Big players make big plays in big situations and that is exactly what Haley did this season.&nbsp; When you watch her play either sport, you can see how remarkable of an athlete she really is with every movement she makes.&nbsp; What stands out to me the most is the thunderous power she has in her down swing.&nbsp; It really does catch you by surprise when you watch her approach and upswing.&nbsp; There is a vast difference in the speed of both and it is truly electric.&nbsp; The power that she exudes cannot go unnoticed by any spectator.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a spot in our prestigious State Rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.com</a>. &nbsp;Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following us, Prep Dig California Family!&nbsp; Don't be afraid to interact with us.&nbsp; We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments.&nbsp; Keep them coming!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->