Recruiting Notebook: New 2026s On The National Radar
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Going into some of these mega tournaments, I know who the top players are going to be. Bouncing from court to court, it is almost a given on who is going to stand out. What I enjoy is finding the…
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Continue ReadingGoing into some of these mega tournaments, I know who the top players are going to be. Bouncing from court to court, it is almost a given on who is going to stand out. What I enjoy is finding the new players who are making an impact. The past month, I have had the opportunity to be courtside at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis, Central Zone in Indianapolis, and Triple Crown in Kansas City. These events are some of the highest for competition in the country before qualifier season starts. Here are some new players that are on my radar as ones to watch throughout the year.
Milly McGee – SCVC 16 Rox
2026 Setter
I was set to cover the SCVC 16 Rox vs. Houston Skyline 16 Royal and I knew I was going to be watching a really powerful group of attackers on both sides of the net. I was not familiar with Milly McGee. She is the QB1 for the SCVC squad where she was the maestro to their offense. Her demeanor on the court is what you want out of setter, great composure and body language through any situation. She has some powerful outside hitters to go to in the front and backrow, but she can really mix it up and find the best matchup. This is going to be a dangerous team all season and McGee will be essential to their success.
Eva Long – Legacy 16 Adidas
2026 Setter
This might not be very new, but her performance was elite in the Triple Crown 16s championship match. She was so cerebral in her approach to getting her attackers in the right position to terminate. She kept going back to her middles and in set three they unleashed enroute to a Triple Crown title. There were times where Long would go get her own kills to catch the defense off guard. Her efficiency was incredible. This is a team with a lot of physicality and power and a setter like Longis a great balance to keep their momentum rolling.
Lily Bosworth – Illini Elite 16 Cardinal
2026 Middle Blocker
I had seen this Illini Elite 16 Cardinal group play before, even as 15s. But watching at Triple Crown I saw some glimpses of Boswell out of the middle that looked scary and promising. She is long, athletic, and at the end of the day she’s 6’4. She is hitting the ball harder, moving quicker to close the block, and things are looking really smooth. Illinois was on her court the times I saw them play and I’m sure the Illini will be taking a closer look at this local prospect. Overall this 16 Cardinal team made their way past the challenge match and will be a dangerous team over the course of the spring.
Brooklyn Jenkins – AZ Sky 16 Gold
2026 Outside Hitter
Vivian Hickman – AZ Sky 16 Gold
2026 Setter
This combo is dangerous. I was able to see these two play at Triple Crown and I was so impressed. I don’t get a chance to see West Coast volleyball very often so seeing these athletes was a lot of fun. Jenkins brings a lot of athleticism and physicality to the outside position. She is a big time threat with a variety of shots and can be relied upon as an outlet out of system and in the backrow. Hickman runs the show for Sky and everything starts with her footwork where she gets herself in great position before she receives the ball. She is always looking to push the tempo and jump set. Her hangtime is special where she can be neutral, holding the middle and pushing the ball to the pin, her middle, or behind her. I think she could be a really special prospect in the Class of 2026.
Gigi Artiles – Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal
2026 – Outside Hitter
Florida is another state I don’t get to see a ton of athletes from until the big tournaments. And Gigi Artiles had a big time performance at Triple Crown. The is a powerful outside hitter who can score from the pin and backrow. She has a fiery intensity where she can will her team to a victory. This Tribe squad will be one who can be a threat in the 16s division this year. Artiles will be a key part to this. They will be in action this upcoming weekend at the Sunshine Qualifier where this field is loaded with plenty of top teams in the country.
Ellie Friedrichs – Vital 16-1 Gold
2026 – Outside Hitter
I saw this team play at the Northern Lights Qualifier in 2023, and I was really impressed by what I saw at Triple Crown. They have a bunch of athletes and they are so scrappy. Vital is out of the Twin Cities Metro in Minnesota and Friederichs preps at Eden Prairie High School. She is a 5’9 outside hitter who packs a punch. She is fearless with her swing and isn’t afraid to take a rip. I made notes of her defensive play as well out of middle back. They won their challenge match against OT to advance to the top 32 and seeing how well they play together that wasn’t surprising.
Elayna Davidson – Sports Performance 16 Elite
2026 – Libero
I was able to see Sports Performance 16 Elite at Central Zone and Triple Crown. This team just doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses. They have plenty of athletes at every position and dominate teams with their balance and ball control. A key part of the ball control is Elayna Davidson who has been a libero for this team in 2024. What is so impressive about her game is how quiet everything is. Her movement is efficient, platform is quiet without wasted movement, she anticipates, and is under control.
Paige Lehman – Winter Park 16 Armour Black
2026 – Outside Hitter
My process at tournaments is typically watching a court, take notes on various athletes with their team name and number, follow up by double checking information on their club website, and see if they have a HUDL or any type of highlight. I actually made Paige Lehman’s highlight video! This isn’t the first time I’ve made a highlight where I’m off to the side with a camera and you can tell I’m on the notes app after a big swing. That’s Paige Lehman. The 5’8 outside hitter packs a major punch and isn’t afraid to rip. She knows how to use the hands, cut the angle, and really attack the other side of the net. This Winter Park team has a lot of big swings and was a great team to watch at Triple Crown.
Isabelle Hopp – AVC Cleveland 16 Red
2026 – Setter
I am sure Isabelle Hopp is a well known player in her home state of Pennsylvania, I just hadn’t seen her play live yet. She previously played for Pittsburgh Elite her 15s year and is now running the show for AVC Cleveland where she is so smooth. Dynamic would be an understatement in describing Hoppe where she creates so many opportunities for her teammates. She has the ability to turn nothing into something with her ability to get her feet to the ball. She can run all the tempos and find an open attacker. Her grit and scrappiness is tough to measure.