The Top 10 of 2026

Our first attempt at ranking the class of 2026 is done. As always, we expect big movement once the club season is off and running however you have to start somewhere. As shared previously, right now things are based on potential at the next level, high school play, watching matches, and conversations with those in the know. There are some players I know that were missed who will be added to the update in a few months, so bear with us! For now, we introduce the top ten in the class of 2026.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] - MB - St. Pius X (Festus)/High Performance   At 6'4", Raterman has much upside and shows she can play in the middle and on the right side. She has over 600 kills in her two seasons, including 289 this year. Her blocks jumped this year totaling 80 on the year. She is a strong presence on both sides of the net and is already a target for many college programs.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='222056' first='Bella' last='Scherfenberg'] - MB/OH - Belton/   An elite beach player also, Scherfenberg is a tremendous athlete with many intangibles on the court. She plays as a six-rotation middle but can easily convert to the pin. She has tremendous bounce standing at only 5'9". Her toss serve keeps defenses on their heels. She ended her year eclipsing 400 kills for the second consecutive year.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='222075' first='Sydni' last='Lafasciano'] - OH - Park Hill South/Dynasty   A true six-rotation pin, Lafasciano missed some action this year but that doesn't take away from what she brings to the court. At only 5'7", that doesn't stop her from finding ways to score points. She also brings a strong presence defensively, which also allows her to take swings from the back row. In only 59 sets this year she earned 174 kills.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='207581' first='Jillian' last='Raterman'] - OH - Ursaline/[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder']   Another pin who isn't the tallest but knows how to get things done on the court. The Ursaline sophomore. In her second season, she was huge in helping Ursaline to a state runner-up performance in 2023.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='219778' first='Tara' last='Venable'] - OH - Ozark/[program_tooltip program_id='483962' first='CSPD' last='']   Venable was far from a sophomore slump performer in 2023. She again went over 300 kills and showed a lot of development in her game with shot selection and court vision. She averaged 3.5 kills per set for the second year in a row.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='222076' first='Abigail' last='Schoene'] - S - Timberland/[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder']   Schoene has good size and hands while standing at 5'11". She has good footwork and set placement and is one of many top setters in the state for this class. She had just under 700 assists and 65 kills.   7. Jaeli Ruthledge - MB - Webb City/[program_tooltip program_id='483962' first='CSPD' last='']   Ruthledge had a breakout season in year two, jumping from 198 kills to 344. The 6'1" middle increased her ways of scoring this fall hitting in front and behind the setter. Her length is an important part of her game as she utilizes it to affect shots of her opponents.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='221231' first='Elena' last='Ruble'] - S - St. Pius X (Festus)/High Performance   Another elite player in the state, the young setter did a good job of running the offense for St. Pius. She averaged 11 assists per set for close to 1,000 on the year. She added 124 digs defensively and 56 aces on the year.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='222578' first='Georgia' last='Hite'] - OH - John Burroughs/[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder']   Hite is one of those players who holds a lot of potential. Her numbers won't jump out at you off the screen but she is a player who holds a strong skill set. She averaged over 3 kills per set in 2023.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='222060' first='Elizabeth' last='Scanlon'] - OH - St. Teresa/Dynasty   We echo the same sentiment with Scanlon as we did with Hite. We saw her in club play last year and the high school numbers tell a piece of the story. The 5'11" pin can score anywhere on the court. This fall she had 147 kills and 218 digs.

Our first attempt at ranking the class of 2026 is done. As always, we expect big movement once the club season is off and running however you have to start somewhere. As shared previously, right now things are based on potential at the next level, high school play, watching matches, and conversations with those in the know. There are some players I know that were missed who will be added to the update in a few months, so bear with us! For now, we introduce the top ten in the class of 2026.