Top Ten, Best Available Class of 2026 Illinois Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026, the juniors in Illinois are ready to ramp up the recruiting this club season and this year will have a couple changes. Division 1 coaches were quiet to start the club year until Presidents Day the second weekend of February where this year they can start recruiting over MLK Weekend (January 17, 2025). These athletes are in position to have an exciting recruiting journey. Can't wait to see them take the court in the new year! Here are the top ten, best available from the Class of 2026 in Illinois. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311325"],"_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-674e214ee0844"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Potempa will have plenty of options when it comes to the next level.  She is a really solid, bouncy outside hitter who will have options to be a defensive specialist/libero or an outside hitter.  She would be considered a bit undersized at the pin, but she's touching ten feet and can score points in high volumes.  She is also a threat to score out of the backrow.  She was an All State pick for Timothy Christian this past high school season and will look to carry that momentum into the 2025 club season for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":411746,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/266-Bella-Potempa.jpg?w=468" alt="" class="wp-image-411746"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Potempa</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["266140"],"_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-674e214ee08aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Potempa will have plenty of options when it comes to the next level.  She is a really solid, bouncy outside hitter who will have options to be a defensive specialist/libero or an outside hitter.  She would be considered a bit undersized at the pin, but she's touching ten feet and can score points in high volumes.  She is also a threat to score out of the backrow.  She was an All State pick for Timothy Christian this past high school season and will look to carry that momentum into the 2025 club season for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] 16 Adidas with some big swings on the pin with [player_tooltip player_id='266140' first='Bella' last='Potempa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='489954' first='Ryann' last='Knuth'] along with right sides [player_tooltip player_id='326064' first='Bridget' last='Ferriter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='548302' first='Katherine' last='Day']. Really balanced offense with plenty of fire power <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pdgauntlet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pdgauntlet</a></p>&mdash; Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1799506326332047649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489954"],"_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-674e214ee08f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was really impressed with Knuth last season during her 16s year for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] where she was a really physical outside who could score a lot of points from the outside.  She was able to go with hard cross, sharp cross, down the line, and use the hands effectively.  As she continues to develop her backcourt game she will become an attacker who can score from anywhere.  This will be an exciting group to follow at the 17s age level where [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] has plenty of high level 2026s still available. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='540251' first='Ciara' last='Cunningham'] was a big time standout at the PD Midwest Live Showcase last week. <br><br>Electric right side with a ton of spring! Can be a middle or right side with <a href="https://twitter.com/rockwoodthunder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rockwoodthunder</a> 16 Elite <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pdgauntlet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pdgauntlet</a></p>&mdash; Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1799449759993745440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540251"],"_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-674e214ee0931"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was able to see [player_tooltip player_id='540251' first='Ciara' last='Cunningham'] multiple times over the summer at the Iowa Midwest Kickoff Showcase, Prep Dig Gauntlet, and at USAV Nationals in Vegas.  She preps at Edwardsville High School and plays club across the Missouri border for Rockwood Thunder.  She is a dynamic attacker where she is someone who can score points from anywhere, but mostly the middle and right side.  She is the fast twitch attacker who is quick on her feet, a solid blocker, and can really terminate off of one foot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["323943"],"_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-674e214ee0971"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The high level defensive training by Sports Performance is evident for [player_tooltip player_id='323943' first='Ammecy' last='Ray'] who commands the backrow as a DS/libero.  She has great footwork, reaction, and a quiet platform which leads to efficient movement for her.  This Class of 2026 in Illinois is pretty loaded with ds/liberos and [player_tooltip player_id='323943' first='Ammecy' last='Ray'] will be one to watch heading into the 2025 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some highlights from high school season. Love this team!! <a href="https://twitter.com/RedHawkVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RedHawkVB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/prepdigil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@prepdigil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDigChris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/statechamps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#statechamps</a> <a href="https://t.co/8YUlhAGbhL">pic.twitter.com/8YUlhAGbhL</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='325505' first='Savanah' last='Weathers'] (@Sweathers_24) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sweathers_24/status/1862932006167826916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325505"],"_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-674e214ee09b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a breakout season for [player_tooltip player_id='325505' first='Savanah' last='Weathers'] when Marist needed her the most.  Weathers was named 2nd Team All State for Class 4A in Illinois and is building plenty of momentum heading into the 2025 club season.  Marist claimed the large school state title while earlier in the summer, Weathers was on the Michio 16 National squad who placed third in the American Divsion.  Weathers has some big time bounce to her game where she is so explosive of the floor and puts a hurt on the ball.  I am excited to see her back on the club courts in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324005"],"_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-674e214ee09f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What an athlete.  Seeing Langland glide on the court is something different where she makes some really difficult things look easy.  As a setter, she gets her feet to the ball and you don't see her bump setting very often.  She has the ability to get get her hands to the ball and is always looking to push the tempo.  She's 5'7, but she plays much bigger with her athleticism and physicality at the net.  There is an edge where she knows how to get it done for her side of the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='260926' first='Elizabeth' last='King'] of <a href="https://twitter.com/topflightvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@topflightvbc</a> having a big morning. A lot of length and athleticism! Class of 2026 playing on 17 Elite. Will be at Prep Dig Gauntlet in June. <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDig</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pdchitownclassic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pdchitownclassic</a> <a href="https://t.co/ChEbEU3Vc3">pic.twitter.com/ChEbEU3Vc3</a></p>&mdash; Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepDigChris/status/1786787223695745206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["260926"],"_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-674e214ee0a31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='260926' first='Elizabeth' last='King'] was one I saw at some of our Prep Dig Events where she was a standout on the pin.  She's right around six feet tall, but contacts high that allows her to take the ball a variety of angles.  She also plays with an aggressive mindset where she is always looking to swing to score points.  What is exciting is that her upside is big, as she continues to develop her backcourt game, she will be a lethal six rotation scorer.  The Top Flight 17 Elite squad should be one to watch this upcoming 2025 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["323936"],"_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-674e214ee0a76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='323936' first='Elise' last='Bocanegra'] played in some huge matches in her 16s year being part of the 1st Alliance 16 Gold squad who were the runner up finishers in 16 Open at USAV National in Vegas.  She preps at Marist where she saw plenty of valuable time enroute to a Class 4A state championship.  Training at 1st Alliance and for Marist allows her to train at an extremely high level.  She knows what it takes to win and how to fight for a spot on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->