Class of 2026 State Ranking New Additions Vol 2
In this article:
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. We have been watching the 2026 class very closely throughout the entire high…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 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. We have been watching the 2026 class very closely throughout the entire high school and new club season. 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. We have been talking to a lot of coaches across the country and this class is littered with college prospects. The following players showed us all that they deserved to be listed in the rankings due to their individual performances.
Elle Vandeweghe Elle Vandeweghe 6'5" | MB Marymount | 2026 State CA [2026] 6-5 Middle (HS: Marymount/Club: Long Beach Mizuno/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Please officially welcome Miss Vandeweghe to the State Rankings. She is currently ranked as the 46th best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at Marymount High School and for the Long Beach Mizuno volleyball club program. Miss Vandeweghe is way more than a tall middle. Her ability to patrol the net on the defensive end is remarkable. 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. 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. 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. 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. Most middle’s like to overrun their route and be too tight to the net. Elle deserves many looks from schools who need a dominant middle for their roster needs. Please help us congratulate her on her achievement of being listed amongst the great players of this state.
Blair Gardiner Blair Gardiner 5'8" | S Santa Fe Christian | 2026 State CA [2026] 5-8 Setter (HS: Santa Fe Christian/Club: SoCal VBC/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Please officially welcome Miss Gardiner to the State Rankings. She is currently ranked as the 47th best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at Santa Fe Christian High School and for the SoCal volleyball club program. As a setter, Blair is very skilled and technical with her form. Every set looks identical in regards to her hand contact with the ball. Her right side set has pinpoint accurate location no matter where she is on the court. When she gets her right side setting posture to look like she is going to set forward, watch out! It is coming along nicely. I also love how she uses her jump set to all locations to keep the defense honest and not cheating toward a pin. 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. 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. Her body absorbs the contact really well as she cushions the power. Please help us congratulate her on earning a spot in our prestigious State Rankings.
Haley Smith Haley Smith 5'10" | OH Liberty Ranch | 2026 State CA [2026] 5-10 Outside (HS: Liberty Ranch/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Please officially welcome Miss Smith to the State Rankings. She is currently ranked as the 48th best overall player according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at Liberty Ranch High School. Haley is a two-sport stud who also shines on the basketball hardwood for her high school. She truly stepped up this year and more than doubled her kill total from last season. This kind of production for her varsity squad was crucial to her making the list. Big players make big plays in big situations and that is exactly what Haley did this season. When you watch her play either sport, you can see how remarkable of an athlete she really is with every movement she makes. What stands out to me the most is the thunderous power she has in her down swing. It really does catch you by surprise when you watch her approach and upswing. There is a vast difference in the speed of both and it is truly electric. The power that she exudes cannot go unnoticed by any spectator. Please help us congratulate her on earning a spot in our prestigious State Rankings.
As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at Michael@prepdig.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following us, Prep Dig California Family! Don’t be afraid to interact with us. We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments. Keep them coming!