Class of 2026 Rankings: Five More Sound Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that grand total of 44 new additions to this class, more needed to be highlighted. There are plenty of good ones in it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750447"],"_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-67d104b6cd22f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the preseason, Ballard head coach Doug Coan said the team would go as far as the defense took the Bruins. Helander did her part to try to give the Bruins a solid defense and is trying to improve upon those skills in club season for the Union 17 UA Green squad. Helander does a great job tracking down balls on both serve receive and regular hits. She squares her arms up to balls and lets her momentum carry the ball to the setter. Helander dives when necessary for pancake digs, but her instincts allow her to stay on her feet for the most part for the sound passes. Helander is also a sound server for Ballard. Helander had 409 digs and 52 aces in the fall, helping the Bruins win a school record 29 games, a 28th District crown and drive to the 7th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741516"],"_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-67d104b6cd293"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pittman (pictured) had a nice year defensively as a sophomore, but turned into a dominant hitter her junior year and is adding to those skills during club season. Pittman delivers a lot of big kills when the team needs them. She's tough to pick up on because she hits to a number of different parts of the court, especially from the strong left side. Pittman sends a tough cutter to the opposite line and paints the back lines in addition to mixing in soft shots. Pittman had 424 kills, 314 digs and 39 aces this past fall, helping Ashland go 33-7 winning 64th District and 16th Region crowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["512076"],"_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-67d106ffc4495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sams will return with three solid years of varsity setting experience under her belt. Sams does a good job reading hitters then going after balls. Sams has solid ball control, helping Franklin-Simpson quickly get into the offense. Sams also brings things to the table with her passing and serving. Sams had 422 assists, 153 digs and 45 aces helping Franklin-Simpson go 17-12 last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749645"],"_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-67d10ca432355"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McPherson brings a sound presence defensively for the Mustangs. She is always moving her feet then squares her arms up with balls to make crisp passes. McPherson generally handles soft hits with few issues. She tracks down shots to the corners staying on her feet and passing the ball toward the net before sliding down. McPherson had 200 digs this past fall, leading Muhlenberg County to the 10th District championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["515746"],"_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-67d10ca4323aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bears did not have an easy season, but Johnson gives them reason for optimism this fall. Johnson is a versatile player for the Bears. She started things off with clean passes, only diving when necessary. Johnson then did what she could to put her hitters in position to put balls down. Johnson did a good job with net coverage. Johnson had 217 assists and 139 digs for Butler County this past fall.</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 one 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 -->