Midwest 2026s Under the Radar Athletes To Watch This Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 is months away from officially starting their recruiting journey.&nbsp; They might be sending out some emails and videos to college coaches, and the college coaches will be taking a look at the 16s age group quite a bit to see who is up and coming.&nbsp; There are going to be some obvious ones where everyone is going to be contacting them on June 15, but who might be some under the radar athletes that you want to make sure and keep an eye on.&nbsp; Here are a few from the Midwest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Eden Roethel is getting better and better out of the middle for Milwaukee Sting 16 Black.  I saw her as a 15s, looking long and athletic, but now she is really starting to find her physicality at the net.  She has to be touching near ten feet and is swinging with aggression.  The ceiling is really high for the Living Word Lutheran (WI) sophomore.  She will be in St. Louis this upcoming weekend along with plenty of athletic, high impact players from the Milwaukee area.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecbcc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["190539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Mauser is a libero/DS out of Westosha Central High School right along the Wisconsin/Illinois border.  She will be taking the court at Triple Crown this weekend with her Sky High teammates out of the North Burbs of Chicago.  Mauser has played plenty of volleyball and received high level training where she can anticipate and make the difficult plays look easy.  Her Sky High squad is off to a fast start in the Windy City Power League and will be ones to watch this weekend in Kansas City.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecc33"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277433"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Nelson is the prototypical long, athletic pin who can really sky when it comes to the third contact.  She is a six rotation outside hitter for FC Elite 16 Navy who will also be at Triple Crown this weekend.  There is a great foundation of all around skills and playing at a high level will continue to elevate her game.  She is one to have on the radar early.  With her leaping ability, she is going to standout on the court and has great potential.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecc82"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6'4, Erb presents quite the length out of the middle blocker position.  She is going to be playing on the VC United 171 Elite team in St. Louis this weekend.  I was able to see her at Central Zone where she was able to compete against some of the top 17s teams in the country.  There is plenty of potential for her game.  With a big time wingspan and some spring in her approach she can score and also establish position with her block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecccf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324008"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I was able to see Feltes live at Central Zone in Indianapolis two weeks ago and was impressed by her approach and explosiveness.  This whole Illini Elite 16 Cardinal team is really clean and organized where they are so fundamentally trained.  There is plenty of college level talent similar to the likes of Feltes.  They open with the hometown team on Saturday in Kansas City with a matchup with KC Power.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecd1a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249635"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Everything starts with her feet.  Audrey Schabes is quick to the ball where she can get her hands up to deliver a clean ball to her attackers. She is looking to jump set and push the tempo.  She has the intangibles and IQ to play at the Open level and will be looking to lead Adversity 16 Adidas all season.  She has some talented attackers on this squad where she can really stretch things out along the front line.  Adversity will have their first match in Kansas City against Paramount out Virginia.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecd66"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389006"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Extremely well trained, Carsyn Kelley is a lengthy, athletic setter out of the Quad Cities in Iowa.  She was a key part to the Pleasant Valley run to the final four in Iowa's largest class this past fall where she was a very offensive setter at the net.  She can hit all the tempos and defend her position.  When she gets to the front row, she is always a threat when she can jump set because she can push to any attacker or she can throw it down on the other side.  This Iowa Select 16 Mizuno team has a lot of balance and was in contention for gold late in the 15 National Division in 2023.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecdb3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["382605"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I first saw Abbie Henson play at the Prep Dig Chi-Town Classic in 2023 where she was a really jumpy outside.  She is still that jumpy outside and is putting more pop on her swing where she is extremely terminal.  Henson preps for Valparaiso High School in Northwest Indiana and comes into Chicago to play for Michio.  She will continue to develop as a six rotation outside where she could be one to watch this next couple years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ecdfd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["455710"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"She continues to improve each time she steps on the court.  Devery is a long, athletic middle blocker for Iowa Rockets where she could probably find a way to score points from any front row position.  She is extremely dynamic, can score off one foot, and will find a way to terminate.  This Iowa Rockets squad is going to be dangerous come qualifier season where they can size and depth at every position. The Iowa Class of 2026 is loaded with big time talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ece48"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261088"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"So steady and consistent, Mya Lei-Butters will be heading to Omaha with her Iowa PowerPlex 16 Mendoza team out of the Des Moines area.  I have been able to see Lei-Butters compete for her high school and club teams where she has such a cool, calm, and collected demeanor.  She plays for Ankeny Centennial high school as their libero where they were a large school final four finisher in 2023.  She can handle a high volume of serve receive touches and finds a way to be at the right place at the right time.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cbcce0ece93"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->