10 Athletes Rising in the Iowa 2026 Rankings Update

The Class of 2026 has been a fun one to follow since they arrived on the scene a couple years ago with many of these athletes really finding their groove the past year.  These ten athletes have risen in the rankings, making an impact for their high school and club teams.  Most are still available to make their decision for college and would be quite the catch at the next level.  Here are ten 2026s who have risen in our recent Prep Dig Iowa Class of 2026 rankings update.     Watching [player_tooltip player_id='389066' first='Cambel' last='Drapeau'] at nationals last year and then again at the Northern Lights Qualifier showed why she is a verbal commit to play at Creighton. There is something so smooth and effortless about her game. She has athleticism and length to play at any position along the front line where she has a high contact point to score and seal the block. This club season she has headed East to play for Sting United 17 Red out of the Madison, Wisconsin area where they have been an open contender and one of the top 17s teams in the Badger Region.     The run to Waukee Northwest's state runner up finish in Class 5A was large in part to the play of [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt']. She is a true QB1 for her team where she ran a 5-1, leading a relatively young team to the final match. She moves quickly, yet is under control, she demonstrates physicality on the net and can score points on her own when needed. For her PowerPlex 17 Mendoza team, she sets and hits on the right side. Her athleticism will be welcomed at the next level where she is sure to have options.     Another setting who has soared up in the rankings is [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] who is coming off a state title for Denver in Class 2A this past fall. Her athleticism and length is what sets her apart. She is a multisport athlete where she is playing to go to state for her school's basketball team tonight. This club season she has been playing for Adrenaline out of Cedar Rapids. There is a huge upside to her game where her growth over the past year is only a sign of even more great things to come for Johnson and the Denver crew.     [player_tooltip player_id='389942' first='Katie' last='Scheckel'] has always been on the radar from Pella, but this past fall she made quite the statement to the entire state. Her performance leading Pella to a state runner up finish was pretty special in her ability to do everything. She can defend, set, and swing - and by swing I mean score a lot of points. She is the queen of triple doubles with digs, assists, and kills. The run for Pella wasn't necessarily an expected one, but after seeing them in person I can see why they are such a tough matchup for others. The Dutch will be a favorite in Class 4A this upcoming fall.     Watching [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] run a 5-1 in the Class 5A semifinals for Pleasant Valley was quite the treat. With her length, she poses a threat at the net as a setter offensively and is a big block as well. She is well trained from her footwork to her hands and is still available in a loaded class of setters from 2026. Her Iowa Select 17 Mizuno team has played a grueling schedule to start their club season and will be gearing up for Iowa Regionals in a couple weekends. She will suit up for Davenport Assumption this fall, looking to lead the Knights to a title in Class 3A.     Tatem Schmid is another athlete in this Class of 2026 who has been rising this past year with her ability to set and swing on the right side. She has shown she can win and help her team in variety of ways. She was key for Ankeny Centennial in their run to the final four in Class 5A and is a key part of PowerPlex 17 Mendoza where she teams up with setter/right side duties with [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt']. This is an athlete to have on the radar and know to get on campus this spring.     [player_tooltip player_id='329851' first='Macie' last='Lupkes'] had a breakout season at Cedar Rapids Xavier where she was a 2nd Team All State pick for Saints where they were one of the top teams in Class 4A all season. She is currently a middle blocker for [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17R. Her ability to score points in the middle is what really brings her game to the next level. She is a quick leaper and knows how to find the deep corners on a fast arm swing.     [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'] rose to the occasion when her number was called at the state tournament for Pleasant Valley's run to the Class 5A state title. When PV's starting outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] went down with an ankle injury, [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'] was called in and played a key part to the success of the Spartans. She is a springy outside hitter who knows how to score points down the line, crosscourt, and off the hands. She is on the Iowa Select 17 Mizuno and will be ready for the Iowa Regionals and a big qualifier season.     [player_tooltip player_id='448156' first='Kai' last='Arens'] is a relatively new athlete on the radar for me where she had a big high school season for Bondurant-Farrar and is suiting up for IPVA this club season. She is a setter that everyone needs to know where she is on the court. She has athleticism and physicality where she puts plenty of pressure on the other side every time she jumps in the front row. She has a wicked left handed swing where she isn't afraid to take it over on two.     [player_tooltip player_id='552892' first='Lindsay' last='Kruse'] out of St. Ansgar is rising up the ranks of Class of 2026 and will continue to rise with her play for the Six Pack 17s this club season. Kruse had a big high school season, being part of the St. Ansgar state tournament team and is already off to a big start for Six Pack. She is a 6'2 force to be reckoned with, having plenty of physicality and strength where she can get up quick and find the court, especially the deep corners. She plays with no fear where she's not looking to tip - she is looking to swing big to score points. I think she will get the attention of plenty of college coaches this upcoming club season.

The Class of 2026 has been a fun one to follow since they arrived on the scene a couple years ago with many of these athletes really finding their groove the past year. These ten athletes have risen in the rankings, making an impact for their high school and club teams. Most are still available to make their decision for college and would be quite the catch at the next level. Here are ten 2026s who have risen in our recent Prep Dig Iowa Class of 2026 rankings update.