New Additions to Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the most popular class among college recruiters. If you attend a junior nationals volleyball tournament or qualifier you will find college coaches wrapped around the court of a good open match. Normally, the well has run dry for 2024s and 2025s. This creates their interest for the rising stars from the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are new names added to the rankings of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["506629"],"_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":"While she earned a top performer award at a Prep Dig event at the Sunshine Qualifier that is not why she climbed to number 30 in the Virginia class of 2026.  Although it is nice to see other scouts recognize top talent, Dylann climbed to number 30 based on her play for Maryland Juniors.  She is one of the top offensive talents on their 15 team.  She lists 6'2u0022 with an approach jump of 9'11u0022 and a block jump of 9'5u0022.  Her rank may have been higher if she was not playing down at the 15 level, but that should not take away the talent she displays on the court.  Her team will be playing at the Freedom level at the 15U in junior nationals in Las Vegas.  Dylann debuts at number 35 in our class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ecf4e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498420"],"_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":"Another tall girl that blocks the middle but also plays right side.  This is not the first time Meisha has been ranked but it is her return to the rankings.  Her approach jump has been recorded at 10'1u0022 so she joins the popular 10 foot club.  For [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] they have three solid middles that they move to right side during the course of a set.  This allows Meisha to swing at some higher sets if her future rests as a right side.  Meisha rises to number 45 in our class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ecfc6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='528727' first='Avery' last='Hurley'] (Colonial Heights/Richmond VBC) - At 5'11" she brings some good height for a setter. When I watched her she set a 5/1 for Richmond VBC playing a year down, distributing her sets to a talented roster. For Colonial Heights she set a 6/2 while staying in the front row to hit the right side. She debuts at number 68 in our class of 2026. Similar to Dylann this rank could be higher once she plays at her age group. But for a setter operating a 5/1 provides more experience than setting a 6/2 in your age group but finding yourself rotated out once you get in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["497909"],"_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":"Riley surprised with her left side play.  She played for Caroline High where she earned first team honors in the Battlefield District and second team all region.  Her outside play helped Club 540 win the 17/18 Division at the Shamrock.  I first saw her play at Volley by the James where her outside play led Club 540 to a second place finish.  They lost to [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] in the finals falling short in the third set 16-14.  [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] ranks as one of the top 100 clubs in the country.  Club 540 ranks as the top team in the Old Dominion Region.  They qualified to play in the National Division for the junior Nationals in Las Vegas but still have qualifiers to compete in to up that level.  Riley deguts at 75 in our class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ed02b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525345' first='Emma' last='Mullins'] (Northeastern/Beach Elite) - Emma lists her hometown as North Carolina, but she plays middle for Beach Elite. At 6'2" she brings an imposing presence at the net. Currently, her blocking appears to be ahead of her hitting, but there exist loads of potential in her game. Emma debuts at number 88 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525341' first='Genevieve' last='Willis'] (Severna Park/Columbia) - She brings good height to the setter position at 5'10". At the Charm City Challenge she set a 5/1. For Severna Park she shares setting duties while playing the right side when she plays front row. Genevieve debuts at number 89 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='519343' first='Dylan' last='Cline'] (River City/Midlothian) - A smaller outside hitter (5'9") who led a talented River City team to a second place finish in the Shamrock tournament playing in the 16 Open. She also plays for Midlothian high school where last year where she earned second team all state and first team all region honors. Her approach jump reaches 9'3" but that should rise as she gets stronger and perhaps grows a couple inches. Dylan debuts at number 96 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525344' first='Riley' last='Stever'] (Gainesville/American) - Liberos are always tough to judge, but I came away impressed with her attitude on the court. She brings a good, quiet platform for passing and covers the backcourt well with her defense. Riley debuts at number 100 in our class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525343' first='Terry' last='Spring'] (Arundel/Maryland Jrs) - She appears to have grown an inch to 5'10" since last time I wrote about her. Her vertical jump impresses. This should result in more playing opportunities for Arundel which will create more exposure. Terry debuts at number 103 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525352' first='Gabriella' last='Netwall'] (Washington Liberty/Rennaissance) - Though she played as a smaller outside (5'9") what impressed me the most about her game was her passing and defensive play in the back row. She brings quick moving feet and anticipation to her back row play. She also hit well in both the front and back row. A solid all around player fits Gabriella at number 104 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["492737"],"_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 lists at just 5'7u0022 but she plays opposite [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] as the second outside hitter.  She seems to get the job done with her share of kills to put the [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] team in the top 100 in the country (36) at the 16U age level.  For her play for Williamsport she received first team honors from her district in both her frosh and sophomore years.  She plays all six rotations.  An athletic player, Olivia is a former gymnast who now showcases her jumping ability by competing in the Triple Jump where she won the conference championship.  Olivia debuted at number 113 in our rankings for class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ed08e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='527009' first='Ella' last='Sumser'] (River City/Midlothian) - Another one of those River City players who impressed at the Shamrock. At 5'11" She plays middle for them. She is also a teammate of [player_tooltip player_id='519343' first='Dylan' last='Cline'] at Midlothian. She earned second team All Region and got a nod as honorable mention for the All Met team in the Richmond area. Ella debuted at number 124 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500290"],"_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 lists at 5'5u0022 but she plays taller.  She sets a 6'2u0022 but stays in the front row to hit right side.  Her left handed swing makes her a good fit for the right side.  With a little more growth she could make a greater impact on the offense.  She does have a nice little jump set so she could run a 5/1.  Alyssa debuts at number 126 in our class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ed0ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='526878' first='MacKenzie' last='Dodge'] (Deep Run/River City) - MacKenzie deserves a lot of the credit for the second place finish for River City at the Shamrock. She set a 5/1 for the team. While she stands only 5'7" her ability to set the quicks well to her smaller middles keeps other teams off balance on defense. There is also good knuckleball movement on her standing serve that accumulated a number of aces. MacKenzie sets for Deep Run where she appears to have two sisters who play with her, senior middle <strong>Addison Dodge</strong> and sophomore libero <strong>Anika Dodge.</strong> Anika also plays with MacKenzie as a libero on the River City team. MacKenzie debuts at number 129 in our class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='527011' first='Dreu' last='Patterson'] (Millbrook/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - At 5'11" Dreu plays middle for a top ranked [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] team. She also lists right side as a position. She showed good blocking ability at the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore. Dreu debuts at number 130 in our class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='525347' first='Jewel' last='Moore'] (Good Counsel/Columbia) - At 5'9" she stands small for a middle. Her timing and good jump still allow her to put up a good block. She also lists outside as a position. Jewel debuts at number 137 in our class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["526752"],"_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":"Her offensive game and swing are still a bit raw.  Her 6'1u0022 height makes her an interesting prospect.  She puts up a good block by extending her hands over the net   With more playing time those skills will improve.   Ella plays for South Lakes where she made the varsity team as a sophomore.  She debuts at number 143 in our class of 2026 but it would not surprise me to see that ranking rise as she gains more experience,","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ed150"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521531"],"_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] seems to always develop top notch liberos.  If they play beach for the club they get an opportunity to enhance their indoor game.  Natalie made some nice one handed saves in the back row at the Shamrock.  She passes and plays defense well.  She has a chance to develop into one of the top notch liberos in the area.  She debuts at number 146 in the class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66194a32ed1b1"} /-->