Rising Midwest Athletes Climbing the 2026 National Radar

The Class of 2026 has entered the gate and awaiting the recruiting race to start here in a few days. There are some names we've been writing about since this class has first stepped on to the court, but some of these names (and new names) are really making a push not only in their state - but nationally. Here are some names to know who could be on a national rise and can't miss come recruiting season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/Isabelle-Kremer.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-547940" /></figure>    There has been a transformation in Isabelle Kremer over the past year. As a 15s player, Kremer was long, definitely still in her gangly era where she was a highly effective right side. She was a name to know from the Class of 2026 in Iowa where she had all the tools and potential. Fast forward to now and she IS the name to know from Iowa's Class of 2023. She is a legit 6'3 and her level of physicality has risen. She is just different. Her frame and wingspan really stands out where she could play on either pin. At our Prep Dig Midwest Live Showcase, her contact point has to be around ten feet and she is putting a ton of pace on the ball, it sounds different. Her backcourt game is expanding as well where she can serve receive and pass, her next level is becoming a point scorer from the backrow where she is so close. Her Iowa Rockets 16R team played an open qualifier schedule and the result of Kremer and all those athletes is definitely paying off. This whole team will be one to watch in Orlando for 16 Open. They took their lumps at MEQ, but were a match or two away from qualifying at Show Me advancing to day three gold pools.     The [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 16 Gold libero is another one who is playing at a different level. This past weekend at the Prep Dig Gauntlet she was at a different level. In the Sting 16 Gold semifinal match against Circle City 16 Purple, she was making big swings from Circle City look like a passing drill. She has great positioning, she's under control, always composed, and keeps it so simple for her side of the net. Any libero/ds playing on a Gold team at Sting is going to be one on the radar. MacCudden is rising on the radar. She is one who is a can't miss when they head to Vegas and compete in 16 Open. This team is so fun to watch where they just find ways to win.     I remember watching Shelton last year for 1st Alliance, but seeing her this past weekend for 1st Alliance 16 Gold she is a different player since her 15s season. At 6'0 tall, Shelton has the length, athleticism, and physicality to be a key contributor at the open level. She can score on the outside, but was really effective on the right side for 1st Alliance where she can shut down an opposing outside hitter and she can hit a really heavy ball a variety of angles. With her all around game and upside, she is one to look at this summer with her trending upward and onward.      <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/DSC07903.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-550123" /></figure>    Soaring up on the radar, Maloney is a must watch libero prospect. I continuously say, I like a libero who makes everything look routine and that is Maloney. She has great footwork, platform angles, and is very efficient with her footwork and spacing. This team is absolutely on fire, building plenty of momentum heading into June 15 as well as going to USAV 16 Open in Vegas. Maloney is solid, consistent, and has so many big time intangibles in her favor in regards to playing with composure and connecting with her teammates.      <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/PDMidwestLive1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-546745" /></figure>   Ellah Derrer 2026, Ava Groeteke 2026, Norah Hany 2026, Avery Vogt 2026, Kaelyn Wieland 2026, Kiley Devery 2026    Derrer is out of the Quad Cities in Iowa and is going to be a 2026 prospect with a high trajectory. She's 6'4, really physical, and touching ten feet. She has a high IQ of when to terminate a ball straight down, when to hit a shot to the deep corner, and use a throw. Her block is intimidating. She is strong, with great hand placement where she can avoid getting tooled. Iowa Select 16 Mizuno has been a fun team to watch all season and they will be heading to Orlando for AAU 16 Open. They will be ones who are in the hunt and could make some noise.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1796671143840985170 </div></figure>    I first saw Groeteke at the Iowa State Tournament when she played for West Des Moines Dowling (shout out Caitlin Clark). Groeteke is a 6'2 right side who can block and score points at a high level. However, at the Prep Dig Midwest Live Showcase in Des Moines a couple weeks ago she had some swings that were just different. She contacts extremely high and is putting for power behind her ball. Her length is something to take note of. She will be playing with Iowa PowerPlex 16 Mendoza who will be in the 16 USA Division in Vegas. There are plenty of 2026's to watch on that team who would be great at the next level. Her setter Kaelyn Wieland is one of the most dynamic players out of Iowa's Class of 2026.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/PDGauntletRyann.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-550132" /></figure>    So much athleticism. Knuth was really impressive for Adversity 16 Adidas this past weekend as a six rotation outside where she just makes plays. She is the type of player who can make something out of nothing where she is not afraid to use the block to her advantage, throw in a roll shot, or blast away. There is a huge upside to her game where when she continues to develop a back court attacking game she will be an even bigger point scorer. She just kept finding a way to get it done at the Prep Dig Gauntlet.       High flyer. Bella Potempa of Adversity 16 Adidas explodes off the floor on her approach where she is touching ten feet. She is a fierce competitor where she wants the ball in the big moment. She was a big catalyst for her team who had a huge weekend of building momentum at the Prep Dig Gauntlet. This team is so balanced and everyone has a role to contribute. The chemistry was clicking. One of the best matches of the weekend was their quarterfinal against Sting 16 Gold where they had a close loss in three sets. They will be another 16 Open team in Orlando to keep close tabs on.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/Bella-Potempa-Dunja-Savic-1.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-550133" /></figure>    What a complete player. Josie Imes of Circle City 16 Purple was really impressive at the Prep Dig Gauntlet. At the 16 Open level, all the outsides can hit it hard and put a ball away, but Imes was really effective out of the backrow. She was able to swing big out of middle back and was able to find a lot of points. Per usual of Circle City outside hitters, Imes is extremely solid in serve receive and is able to defend her position. She is more than just a scoring outside hitter, she can pass as well. This was a fun team to follow over the course of the weekend.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1800581558681624798 </div></figure>    Last year Circle City 15 Purple was down a couple athletes so Bumgardner was playing on the the outside. She played with no fear and a high IQ to be highly effective. This 16s season, she is playing in her natural position of libero. She seems like the player who you could ask her to do anything and she will step in and find a way to get it done. As a libero she is so composed and relaxed with her platform. She can pick up the chaotic plays and find a way to get the offense started. So solid and dependable.

The Class of 2026 has entered the gate and awaiting the recruiting race to start here in a few days. There are some names we've been writing about since this class has first stepped on to the court, but some of these names (and new names) are really making a push not only in their state - but nationally. Here are some names to know who could be on a national rise and can't miss come recruiting season.