Class of 2026 Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of players saw their stocks rise from solid seasons this past fall. They could continue to rise with club season starting soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212249"],"_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-677350b9ec1fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens rose up 11 spots because she has proven to be one of the top hitters in the state. Owens will only continue to grow into a solid all-around player with another season playing for the KiVA 17 red squad, which expects to compete for national championships. Owens digs up balls then quickly transitions to offense putting immense power into balls. She puts forth a sound effort on every play trying to help her teams to wins. Owens forms sound double blocks and consistently lands her serves. Owens pounded out 467 kills to go with 264 digs, 50 aces and 32 assisted blocks for Bryan Station this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212349"],"_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-6773524644507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitchens (pictured) moved up 15 spots because of her prowess on the floor. Kitchens will only continue to grow as an all-around player with another season at NKYVC. Kitchens has become a reliable hitter from all six spots on the floor. Kitchens is also a sound passer, blocker and server. Kitchens had 385 kills, 29 assisted blocks, 192 digs and 45 aces, helping Simon Kenton go 30-6 with another 32nd District crown and runner-up finish in the 8th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212347"],"_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-677353c19fd93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heater has often flown under the radar, but has been a steady contributor since her freshman year so she moved up 24 spots. She is as sound of an all-around player as anyone, consistently making things happen in every statistical category. Heater does a great job distributing balls to many talented hitters. Heater plays sound defense, using her height at the net to alter shots if not block them. Heater had 731 assists, 175 kills, 13 solo blocks, 27 assisted blocks, 249 digs and 52 aces, helping Ryle go 24-9 with another 33rd District crown and spot in the region semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["594619"],"_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-677356a3933bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helmers jumped up 67 spots using her size and athleticism to keep St. Henry near the top of the 9th Region. She provides a big presence in the middle and the pins, hitting balls all over the court. Helmers adds good spin on her serves. Helmers helps create one-on-one opportunities for her teammates. Helmers finished second with 234 kills for the Crusaders to go with 42 assisted blocks and 42 aces, helping St. Henry go 33-6 with another All "A" state championship, a 34th District crown and runner-up finish in the region tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479316"],"_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-677357ee905d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grubbs moves up 41 spots after eclipsing the 400 mark for kills on the season, forming a solid punch for the Rebels. Grubbs pounds balls hard from the strong left side to the near and far sidelines. She is not afraid to take things off balls to land them in the front row to keep opponents guessing. Grubbs is also a sound server. Grubbs had 411 kills and 104 aces, helping Boyle County go 30-10 with a third straight 45th District crown and spot in the 12th Region championship game for the first time since 2010.</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 -->