Class of 2026 Rankings: Top 6 Explained

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some shuffling took place up front in the 2026 rankings for different reasons. Two new players snuck into the the top six as NCAA Division I commits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212192"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6773472b11956"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey (pictured) took over the top spot after having big games against solid competition down the stretch. That included a 24-kill performance on Oct. 15 in a 3-0 win against Elizabethtown and 22 kills in a 3-0 win over Dominant Five member St. Henry four days later. Bailey can rise up from the sides of balls and land kills away from powerful blockers. The Bowling Green staff does a great job taking advantage of her athleticism. Bailey finished the season with 587 kills, 58 assisted blocks, 38 solo blocks, 107 digs and 42 aces, helping Bowling Green go 34-7 with 14th District and 4th Region crowns and a spot in the state quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212253"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6773472b119b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smallwood moved down to two, but could snatch back the top spot before the dust settles. Smallwood had the dominant season people expected even after missing some of the early games because of an injury. Smallwood smacks down balls from both the front and back row. She efficiently reads setters and makes the necessary adjustments on balls. Opponents have to hit to the sides of her because of her size advantage and because of her solid timing on blocks. Smallwood consistently hustles after balls then makes quick transitions to offense. She also paints lines well on serves. Smallwood finished the season with 587 kills, 89 solo blocks, 11 assisted blocks, 209 digs and 91 aces, helping Elizabethtown go 29-11 with a 17th District championship and 5th Region runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212396"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6773472b11a00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keiran stays near the top as the top returning defensive specialist that may become Assumption's libero this fall. Keiran does a great job positioning herself behind the blockers to pick up balls. Keiran consistently proves she can handle sound hitters. They carom off her arms to the setters to start the fast-paced Assumption offense. Keiran finished second with 358 digs, helping Assumption go 35-8 and win the state record 24th state championship in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212348"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67734ab19faff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grivna has natural athleticism and it shows on the court. Grivna is really tough on quicks because teams have a hard time rising up to block her and dig her up because she sends balls flying quickly to the floor. Grivna also pounds balls to the back court and mixes in soft shots to keep teams guessing. Grivna times up balls well at the net for big blocks and has a nice serve. Grivna recorded 308 kills, 25 solo, 81 assisted blocks and 50 aces helping Ballard go a school record 29-8 with a 28th District crown and an appearance in the region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443382"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67734ab19fb73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6-6 and 6-4 player on the same squad give the coaches the option to always have size on the front row and the Bruins did that this past season. Liening is tough when the sets are on. She helps control the net with size and athleticism in many ways including tipping balls in the air for defensive specialists to pick up easier. Liening hopes to get in sync with a different setter this fall to keep putting pressure on opponents with quicks. Liening also does a great job forming double blocks. Liening had 234 kills, 40 solo blocks and 76 assisted blocks helping Ballard win a school record 29 games, win the 28th District crown for the first time in four years and make it to the region semifinals for the first time in the same time period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["312234"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67734d9fe72f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dyas made a splash as a freshman for state power Notre Dame and has continued to grow as her career has progressed. Similar to other players at the top of this list, Dyas overpowers teams with her size and quickness. She is a sound swing blocker, making teams have to hit over her, thus allowing defensive specialists to pick up balls easier. Dyas pounds balls from all over the net. She is especially tough with crease shots. Dyas finished the season with 233 kills, 22 solo blocks and 40 assisted blocks, helping Notre Dame go 34-4 with a third straight 9th Region crown and state semifinal finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for nearly a year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->