What Athletes Are Rising In The Illinois Class of 2026?

The Prep Dig Illinois Class of 2026 have been updated and has over 200 names listed in the database.  Over 20 athletes have given their verbal commit to the next level, leaving plenty of athletes still on the board for college coaches to recruit.  Here are eight athletes to take a look at from our updates rankings who can be impact players at the next leve.     [player_tooltip player_id='323927' first='Kelley' last='Crowley'] is an electric outside hitter who can do so many positive things for her team. I was able to see Crowley live multiple times this past club season where she plays with a high motor. She can serve receive, pass, and score points. Her approach is extremely quick to the ball and her hand contact is explosive. Crowley is a junior at Downers Grove North where they are off to a successful start in 2024. They have a battle with the school on the other side of town in Downers Grove South tonight!       In the 2024 club season, [player_tooltip player_id='260926' first='Elizabeth' last='King'] played up on the Top Flight 17 Elite team where she was really impressive in the front line. King has a very high contact point where she has plenty of length with a high snap. I think this is an absolute steal for whoever gets King at the next level. Her upside is really high with her ability to score points. She can also defend at the net and with an expanded backcourt game, she will be a key scorer from everywhere. She preps at Hampshire High School who is off to a 7-2 start this season.       I saw Cunningham live at the Midwest Live Showcase in the Des Moines area. Cunningham preps at Edwardsville High School in Southern Illinois and plays club for Rockwood Thunder where she is an electric point scorer out of the middle and right side. For Edwardsville she can score points on the outside. Cunningham has a fast arm and is a very dynamic attacker. She is a swiss army knife type of scorer who can find various ways to put the ball on the floor.       [player_tooltip player_id='266140' first='Bella' last='Potempa'] made quite an impact for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] this past club season where she is a springy six rotation outside hitter. She has a unique ability to sky and create a variety of shots for herself. With her leaping and shot making ability, she can score points from the backrow and if highly effective out of system. At the next level, Potempa could continue swinging from the pin or could see the route as a defensive specialist or libero. She can serve receive and pass where she could be a great L2 or put the jersey on and defend full time.       Another springy outside is [player_tooltip player_id='325505' first='Savanah' last='Weathers'] who played her club ball for Michio 16 National this past season. At 5'8, Weathers explodes off the ground which allows her to adjust mid-air to take what the defense gives her. She is a really dangerous out of serve receive because she can pass and attack from multiple front row positions. She can also score points off of various tempos. This is a tough matchup for the other side of the net because they always have to know where Weathers his and adjust to all the different ways that she can score points.       Seeing [player_tooltip player_id='488367' first='Charlotte' last='Kozak'] at the Prep Dig Gauntlet was extremely impressive. [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] 16 Adidas had quite a three set battle with MKE Sting 16 Gold where Kozak was lights out at libero. She was so consistent in all facets of what a libero needs to be good at. She can serve receive, pass, and put up a great second ball. She anticipates well and has great control where she makes the first contact look effortless. Kozak preps at Glenbrook South where her high school and club teammate [player_tooltip player_id='489954' first='Ryann' last='Knuth'] is their top outside hitter with nearly four kills per set.       [player_tooltip player_id='324012' first='Olivia' last='Ziemer'] was part of a really talented [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 Cardinal team who won plenty of matches in 2024. Ziemer can score points on the right side or the outside where she can swing big, use the block, or take things off speed. She can change up her approach angles to find a variety of ways to score points. She preps at Normal West which is off to a blistering start in 2024. Ziemer will be on the radar of plenty of college coaches heading into this club season.       So dynamic. Kenall Kozak is a swiss army knife type of player who is a 5'11 lefty setter who can dish and also score points from the right side. She's been a key player for Sports Performance and does a little bit of everything as a junior at Minooka. So far this high school season she is averaging nearly four kills per set, hitting .390, leads the team in blocks, and assists. She impacts every part of the game in a positive way and will be fun to keep tabs on in through her recruiting journey.

The Prep Dig Illinois Class of 2026 have been updated and has over 200 names listed in the database. Over 20 athletes have given their verbal commit to the next level, leaving plenty of athletes still on the board for college coaches to recruit. Here are eight athletes to take a look at from our updates rankings who can be impact players at the next leve.