2026 Rankings Update: Overview and New Additions!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore club season can feel monumental for athletes and parents. While college coaches are out in force before the "official" June 15th contact date checking on the class of 2026, players find their fit at different times and under different circumstances. Enjoying the game and the experience is ultimately what it's all about, and the same can be said of the rankings. Enjoy them, but remember they are not the end all be all. We can only rank and re-evaluate the players we see, primarily through live viewing. The flip side of this is that we're unable to see everyone. We try our best, but we know we may have capable players not on the list or that we may have seen during an off-match. Because of this, we update our rankings 2 to 3 times a year to keep up with the pace of how often players emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elite Outsides at the Top of the Rankings!</strong> With three outside hitters at the top of the rankings and a total of 6 outsides in the top 12 of the rankings, the position is an immense strength for this 2026 class. The top four all stand 6 feet or over, are willing defenders, and have powerful arms. As the recruiting cycle kicks into high gear for the sophomore class as the season continues, these players should have college coaches packing the sidelines at major tournaments. In upcoming articles, we will closely examine the top players by position, including these outsides. The top three are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231549' first='Laura' last='Eichert']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450701' first='Gabriella' last='Thompson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243689' first='Selana' last='Morales']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players Make For Top Teams</strong>. Players in this class's rankings have helped lift their teams to high finishes in Power Leagues and tournaments in the region and across the country. CPA 16 Benson took home the top mark in the Evergreen Region Power League and the ERVA 16 National Bid, with ranked players like setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244061' first='Noella' last='Migliuri']</strong>, opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244059' first='Ashlyn' last='Aaron'],</strong> and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244064' first='Jade' last='Livingston']</strong> playing significant roles. Puyallup Juniors 16 National has been on a tear this season, and 2026 prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244074' first='Colby' last='Bellerive']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499402' first='Mia' last='Nelson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393083' first='Cameron' last='Ghorley']</strong> have been a big part of the success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Back and Forth across the Border!</strong> Excellent ranked players from Southwest Washington dot the rosters of clubs in the CEVA region like Athena, Aspire NW, Excel NW, NPJ Salem, etc. There is a reason the high school programs in that part of the state continue to snag trophies and championships at the state tournament: the area is home to excellent coaches and clubs that train their players well and prepare them to win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='497163' first='Alina' last='Shawgo']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='449941' first='Emmah' last='Sanchez'], </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='251031' first='Royal' last='Grafton'] </strong>are just a few of the many athletes getting work done in the Columbia Empire Region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are several new additions to the 2026 rankings:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524792"],"_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":"Sudgen is a 6'2u0022 MB who can play across the front line, takings swings from both pins for her NPJ Seattle 16 squad. She has terrific length and plays strong at the net, Sugden makes good moves on overpasses and jousts, putting the ball down with confidence. A high ceiling player from Newport High School, we expect Sugden to make rapid improvements in her overall game with continued training with the excellent NPJ program.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb10a0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/elizabeth_sugden">https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/elizabeth_sugden</a> [player_tooltip player_id='524792' first='Elizabeth' last='Sugden'] Highlights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505570"],"_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":"Musser built up her game as the school season progressed at Ellensburg, culminating in a tremendous run during the playoffs and the state tournament. Her attacking gave the Bulldogs increased options, and her defense was all hustle. Playing club for No Limits, the outside/opposite has a big arm and her footwork is solid. Musser looks to power balls off the block or to the deep corner, but has the finesse to go off one foot and reach for a tough set to make a play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb111a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19571306/655777f1e97ac20b98e4c15c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb11ee"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524823"],"_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":"Naipo is a right-side from Timberline High School, and plays her club ball with Oly Reign 16 Gold. The 5'9u0022 Naipo has an accurate arm swing, she can power through and off blocks and will work the outside seam to score points down the line. She keeps her eyes moving defensively to make sure she is in a great position as a blocker; and when she contacts a swing with two hands its almost certainly resulting in a block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb125c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18400745/65dec8d623517d0e64df62ea' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb1285"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514338"],"_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":"Meyer is rangy at the libero/ds spot, able to stretch out and make plays on balls caroming out of bounds or headed to the corner. Her versatility and hustle helped land her on the 2026 Watch List, she can take swings and get a kill if her Apex NW 16 Summit needs it. Meyer does a terrific job in serve receive, delivering solid passing allowing her setters and attackers to run in system offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb12e8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/eliana.meyer/volleyballwomen">https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/eliana.meyer/volleyballwomen</a> [player_tooltip player_id='514338' first='Ellie' last='Meyer'] Highlights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514745"],"_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":"The sophomore from Tumwater is a setter with size, and she has formed a connection with her Oly Reign middles and rights sides running tempo offense. Broeker is able to find her attackers with a high contact point on her sets, minimizing the time from her hands to the swing. She also plays inspired defense and is willing toi get on the ground and use her length to poke up tips and shots that look like they might score. Broeker is a new addition to the Watch List for 2026, and one of 24 setters in the rankings overall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb1351"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19071990/65f1bc2d041dae03dc176aee' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604714bb1379"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why Have Rankings?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our rankings aim to bring exposure to the maximum number of athletes pursuing the recruiting process with a chance to play at the next level. I encourage you to read our detailed section on “How We Rank.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/how-we-rank/">How We Rank</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please set up your free player profile- it truly is free! Add highlights, high school and club teams, height, and your picture for the profile! It's a great way to give our scouts access to even more information on players as we cover volleyball in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Prep Dig Prospect Index</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->