2026 Rankings Update: Movement at the Top

The Ohio 2026 class has some of the best depth in all facets including skills, athleticism, position strength, and next-level value. Several prospects will be heading off to some of the best Power 5 programs at the next level, which makes it tough to determine who should get the nod at #1 in our rankings. This 2026 update definitely represents that challenge and includes some movement among the elite prospects.    Through our last 2026 update, it was tough not to put Northern in the #1 spot but she is making it more clear that she is the premier athlete in this class for Ohio. Her physical tools and ability to be dominant in a variety of ways are the reason she assumes this position. The Penn State commit leads Summit Country Day at 6.2 k/s while hitting at a 63% kill rate. She is the overwhelming offensive leader in a very good Miami Valley Conference as she has 327 total kills this season, which is over 120 kills more than any other attacker.     Snowbarger is another prolific scorer in this 2026 class and she elevates to the #2 position given the strength of her contributions in her junior season for Wooster. Earning a career best 6.6 k/s, she recently surpassed the 1,200 total kills mark for her career, with several matches still ahead of her in this current season. We've been watching her score a ton of points for several seasons in club and high school and the physicality of her arm continues to grow. The Indiana commit had 37 kills in a 3-2 win over Steele earlier this month and recently hammered home 29 kills in a 3-0 victory for a 9.0 k/s average that avenged their earlier loss to Lexington.     Earlier this season Matheny surpassed the 1,000 career assists mark competing for Bishop Hartley. She has been the backbone for a core group for Mintonette for multiple seasons where she has multiple seasons directing a dynamic, efficient, and powerful offense, which contrasts the offensive tools and level around her competing for the Hawks. She still makes a huge impact with 7.4 a/s as a setter but also defensively at nearly six digs and 2.2 blocks per match. With 180 career service aces, this is also an area this Indiana commit shines for Bishop Hartley.     Committed to national power Texas, Cugino is the top libero in this class and is a big reason why Oletangy Orange is currently ranked #4 in the most recent Ohio coaches association poll for Division I. As she moves into the top-five on this list with this update, she has next-level skills on display each match through her serve receive and in the efficiency of her defense. With a career average of over 17 digs per match, she is so good at what she does she makes it look easy.     Bishop Watterson is 11-5 overall as Hoying is the team's best offensive threat at 4.1 k/s. She can ignite her team with her arm, which may also serve as competitive inspiration and advantage for her team as they have some good balance around the court, while she brings elite national-level success and experience each match. The Ohio State commit can overpower defenses with the speed and strength of her from anywhere on the floor, even at the service line as she has 229 career aces. She also contributes nearly nine digs per match.     Finding her way into the top-10, Combs is a new edition to this upper echelon of talent in the 2026 class. Her 2024 season has been elite as she may be the x-factor for Division I Seton with her full-range of tools. Watching her at this stage of her prep career has been fun as she is confident, assertive, and flat out competes while also bringing a lot of focus and stability to the court for the rest of her team. As Seton is 14-2 overall and ranked #1 in the most current Ohio coaches association poll for Division I, Combs is third in the GGCL offensively with a 3.6 k/s average and just shy of 200 kills overall. The North Carolina State commit is also top-five defensively with 175 total digs.

The Ohio 2026 class has some of the best depth in all facets including skills, athleticism, position strength, and next-level value. Several prospects will be heading off to some of the best Power 5 programs at the next level, which makes it tough to determine who should get the nod at #1 in our rankings. This 2026 update definitely represents that challenge and includes some movement among the elite prospects.