2027 Rankings Update Deep Dive

The class of 2027 Rankings Update dropped Monday and here we deep dive into the class. A group first ranked right after their freshman season of high school, the class of 2027 will have many changes and updates as players have the time to physically grow and add strength, get more time on the court, and train to be more skilled overall. It's expected that an early ranking of a class will miss players entirely, it's unavoidable and one of the reasons we update frequently is to catch and add players we find along the way.   I always refer any parents, players, or coaches reading rankings for the first or the 100th time to our rankings extravaganza page at Prep Dig- "How We Rank".   <a href="https://prepdig.com/how-we-rank/">https://prepdig.com/how-we-rank/</a> It's very detailed and fleshes out the rankings when, why, and how.   My big rocks regarding rankings are the following:   1. Players move up in the rankings, not down. 2. Volleyball is a vertical sport played over a net with a set height- height matters on the court and in the rankings. I love a 5'5" super-skilled, passionate sophomore OH with every shot in the book- but a 6'1" developing sophomore OH may be in the rankings over that hitter. You can't teach height. 3. Playing against the best competition matters, although it's not everything. If you are in the Open/Premier, and playing effectively, that may mean more for rankings than dominating Flight 8 on the last day of a tournament. 4. Past rankings have shown us that players who help their teams win consistently in club and high school should get extra juice in the rankings. College coaches find these players, even if they are not the biggest stars on their teams.   Let's dig into the top 10, where several big changes have occurred.   THE TOP TEN: 1. [player_tooltip player_id='499493' first='Peyton' last='K Frederick']- RS/S 2. [player_tooltip player_id='434974' first='Maddy' last='Conner']- RS 3. [player_tooltip player_id='412070' first='Mara' last='Sandberg']- OH 4. [player_tooltip player_id='460680' first='Cadence' last='Bigby']- OH 5. [player_tooltip player_id='459079' first='Kathryn' last='Harris']- S/RS 6. [player_tooltip player_id='434980' first='Margaret' last='Foote']- MB 7. [player_tooltip player_id='499395' first='Shannara' last='Peebles']-OH 8. [player_tooltip player_id='486970' first='Amaree' last='Hollis']- MB 9. [player_tooltip player_id='484723' first='Kela' last='Williams']- L 10. [player_tooltip player_id='473859' first='Gracie' last='Jacoby']- S/RS   Frederick takes over the top spot after a season of pounding down kills from the right side for PSVBA. She can set as well, and not just for show. Frederick will have an interesting journey as she decides what position she wants to pursue, or, does Emerald Ridge find a way to have the 6'2" sophomore play as a six-rotation OH this fall? She looked good attacking out of the back row late in the season, and her versatility is a difference-maker in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='434974' first='Maddy' last='Conner'] is the prototype right side that college programs love. Long, powerful, and left-handed, the Seattle Prep stand-out can rip the ball and is a tremendous blocker. She moves into the number two spot in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='412070' first='Mara' last='Sandberg'] from CPAVB and Gonzaga Prep takes over the top spot for the outside position. We watched nearly all the top players at the position in person late in the season, and Sandberg separated herself playing up with 16U. She has a powerful; and accurate arm, doesn't make many mistakes, and will mix in the perfect off-speed shots when the time is right. The sophomore out of Spokane has done the work to hold up physically deep into a match or tournament and wants the ball to come her way when everything is on the line. [player_tooltip player_id='460680' first='Cadence' last='Bigby'] is incredibly smooth and efficient on the outside and has a well-rounded, all-around game- she stays in the top five. [player_tooltip player_id='459079' first='Kathryn' last='Harris'] is our top-ranked setter in the class, she is fiery and can make plays as a hitter. We like what we are seeing in the development of the setters overall in the class, and expect the position to be fluid in respect to the rankings as players emerge and improve. [player_tooltip player_id='434980' first='Margaret' last='Foote'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486970' first='Amaree' last='Hollis'] are the two middles in the top ten. Foote is the top player at her position and rises to #6 overall; she has impressive footwork and mechanics for a young 6'2" middle. Anacortes needs their setters running the front slide to make sure they can get Foote the ball on this route, she hammers it down and defenses had no idea how to handle it at AAU's. Hollis is uber-athletic and makes great moves as a blocker, she can get it rolling from the service line too. [player_tooltip player_id='499395' first='Shannara' last='Peebles'] is the third OH in the Top Ten, and she played up with WVBA 16 Adidas. Peebles is a high flyer with a devastating arm and the athleticism to make plays all over the court. [player_tooltip player_id='484723' first='Kela' last='Williams'] from Mt. Spokane is the top-ranked libero, she never stops playing all out and has an advanced feel for the game that jumps out at you when you watch her play. Libero is another position with players emerging and competing from all over the state, it will be fun to see the rankings moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id='473859' first='Gracie' last='Jacoby'], a S/RS from Prairie rounds out the top ten. At 5'11", she has size at the setter spot and uses it to score. She also has a good arm from the right side and will break out creative shots to score as a setter or hitter.   STOCK RISERS!   A class just now headed into their sophomore season of high school will always have exciting players that earn their way up the rankings. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='484156' first='Abby' last='Malley'] looked extremely confident and smart setting the table for her WVBA team, she rose to #17 overall. The same could be said for [player_tooltip player_id='501666' first='Olivia' last='Puttler'] from Emerald Ridge and PJVBC, she is a playmaker who can score as a setter and plays with passion; she is now 21st overall in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='520854' first='Brynlee' last='Allred'] is a RS from Ridgeline High School in Liberty Lake, the lefty is up to 73rd overall in the rankings. Now listed at 6'1", Allred has a live arm and may not be done rising through the list. [player_tooltip player_id='461185' first='Macie' last='Smart'] is another lefty RS who had a big school and club season, she is up to 22nd overall. The Cashmere standout has a great arm swing and has added power and accuracy as she has developed. [player_tooltip player_id='501788' first='Kaitlynn' last='Matthiesen'] is the 49th overall player in the rankings, the libero from PJVBC plays with big passion and heart and will fly around the court to track down digs. [player_tooltip player_id='515095' first='Delaney' last='Donaldson'], a middle from Shockwave and Kamiakin is now ranked #87 overall. She can run quick tempo and crush kills at the 10" line, Donaldson is quick off the floor and should keep improving her game.   NEW ADDITIONS!   We are up to over 145 players for 2027, with 107 in the rankings and close to another 40 prospects on the Watch List. Here is a quick look at five to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='544619' first='Adeline' last='Pozzi'] hits the rankings at #19 overall. Pozzi is smooth, smooth, smooth at the setter spot.   [player_tooltip player_id='553280' first='Hadley' last='Potts'] from CRU has big-time size and power in the middle, she is 81st overall in the rankings. Ellensburg has another good young MB to develop.   [player_tooltip player_id='501176' first='Casey' last='Kot'] can go get it from the libero position, and she checks in for the first time at #90 overall. She is worth the watch at Issaquah High School.   [player_tooltip player_id='229375' first='Tierney' last='Ervin'] returns to the PNW from Las Vegas, we look forward to seeing the high-flying attacker get after it at Enumclaw this fall.   Brynn Shock is in the rankings for the first time at #94 overall. The RS is an athletic prospect who has the chance to develop her game at Graham-Kapowsin.     Look for continued coverage on this class this week- then we dive into High School ball in September.       <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li></li> </ol>

The class of 2027 Rankings Update dropped Monday and here we deep dive into the class. A group first ranked right after their freshman season of high school, the class of 2027 will have many changes and updates as players have the time to physically grow and add strength, get more time on the court, and train to be more skilled overall. It's expected that an early ranking of a class will miss players entirely, it's unavoidable and one of the reasons we update frequently is to catch and add players we find along the way.