Rankings Update: Top 2026 Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Kansas is proud to publish a rankings update for the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings now include 280 athletes, featuring 67 debuting athletes from last fall's junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletes, Coaches, and Parents can use this link to explain the rankings process. <a href="https://prepdig.com/how-we-rank/">https://prepdig.com/how-we-rank/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I encourage ranked and unranked athletes to claim or create <strong>FREE </strong>profiles which can be accomplished by using the following link. <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please keep in mind that our rankings are subjective, especially in the younger classes. Seeing players in person, being able to find stats, and whether a player has claimed their profile all impact how I rank athletes. The junior class is also one where college recruitment first becomes a major factor in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the first of multiple reports featuring the Kansas Class of 2026 this week. It features five of the biggest stock risers in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222106' first='Carlyle' last='Johnson']</strong>, 6'2”, MB, Collegiate, '26 (Duke)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson moved into the top 10 after a great junior season and a verbal commitment to Duke University. She jumped up 40 spots from No. 48 to No. 8. She recorded 379 kills in 76 sets as a junior. She is now 174 kills away from the 1,000-kill threshold for her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355651' first='Neely' last='Leathers'],</strong> 5'10”, S, Olathe West, '26 (Air Force)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leathers jumped into the No. 9 position after being ranked No. 26 overall. She finished her junior campaign with 851 assists in 99 sets. She has verbally committed to attend and play volleyball at the Air Force Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222099' first='Ella' last='Stowell']</strong>, 5'10”, MB, Olathe West, '26 (Colorado State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Owls have two athletes in the Top 20 who have already verbally committed to a college program. Stowell is now ranked No. 12 overall after previously being ranked No. 41 overall. She recorded 305 kills and 44 blocks in 96 sets for Olathe West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='603074' first='Jadence' last='Stewart']</strong>, 5'9”, OH/DS, Greeley County, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart parlayed an impressive junior season into a climb up the rankings. She is ranked No. 18 overall after being ranked No. 29 in the last round of updates. Her junior season stat line included 470 kills, 284 digs, and 62 aces in 95 sets. Stewart is a two-sport prospect ranked No. 84 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas. She should have colleges in Western Kansas foaming at the mouth to sign the Jackrabbit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446364' first='Katharine' last='Engel']</strong>, 5'8”, OH/DS, Halstead, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halstead was a key cog on the State Champion Dragons. She jumped 20 spots in the rankings climbing from No. 46 to No. 26. She finished with 393 kills in 94 sets as a junior. She is 145 kills away from reaching the 1,000 career kill mark. She is a six-rotation athlete who also recorded 302 digs, 416 serve receptions, and 69 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->