The New and Rising Updated 2026s From Illinois

Our Prep Dig Illinois Class of 2026 Rankings have been updated. The 17s/Junior year is always a big one in terms of recruiting as many of these athletes are finding their future homes. There is still plenty of club season left for these these athletes and here are some 2026 athletes to put on the radar as we kick off April!    [player_tooltip player_id='488305' first='Gabriella' last='Schefke'] has had a breakout season with her play for Woodstock North and [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] where she earned All State honors this fall. She is a savvy setter who glides around the court where she can get her hands on the ball, even when she is pulled off the net. You can tell she has been well trained year round where she has great footwork and a smooth release to get her attackers in position to terminate. She is also someone who can defend her position well and get the other side of the net out of system with a strong serve.     [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 17 Cardinal have put together quite a season so far with plenty of gold bracket finishes in some major events such as Triple Crown and Central Zone. They will be gearing up for another major event with the JVA World Challenge in just over a week in Louisville. A setter who will be on the radar of college coaches is [player_tooltip player_id='763490' first='Madison' last='Funk']. At 5'10, she has the length and athleticism to play at a high level. She moves well on the court, she can block, defend, and I like how she can get her hands high and neutral where she can take the ball to any of her attackers. This athlete knows how to get it done during crunch time as well.     I was able to watch [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 17 Cardinal a few times between Central Zone and Triple Crown. I'm looking forward to seeing this team again at JVA World Challenge in just over a week. A middle blocker to have on the radar would be [player_tooltip player_id='763491' first='Rosie' last='Krenz'] of 17 Cardinal. She is a work horse middle who can close the split on the pin, transition, and become available to score points in a variety of ways. She's been playing on the open courts all season, being a key contributor for this team. I think she would be a sneaky good pick up at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='763504' first='Lianna' last='Ortiz'] is a springy, six rotation pin who is building plenty of momentum this past year. She earned All State honors at Romeoville High School where she knows how to score points as well as being a solid defender in the backcourt and handling a high volume of serve receive. At the next level, she could make a gym that much better with her all around ability. She could be a point scorer out of the backrow as a DS or take the big swings from the pin to provide positive points for her team.     [player_tooltip player_id='763519' first='Reece' last='Distler'] is a name to know just outside of St. Louis in Belleville, Illinois. She had a huge high school season earning All State honors and has been turning heads on the club courts for Blue Steel. She is a six rotation outside hitter who can score points at will. She is a threat to score in all rotations. As a six rotation outside hitter and top scorer, teams are going to target her in serve receive where she can put up a clean pass to her setter, allowing her plenty of options to dish. What is impressive about her game is how she can find creative ways to score with a variety of angles, but above all she is going to swing big and aggressively to cause chaos on the other side.     Mia McCall is going to be a name that is one the rise in this Class of 2026 in Illinois. She is coming off an All State campaign at St. Charles North and has bee building a solid 17s season for [program_tooltip program_id='629296' first='Chi' last='City']. What is impressive about her game is how everything looks the same until she releases the ball. She has the same footwork, same draw with her hands, and doesn't give the other side of the net any tips on where she is going with the ball. She runs a really quick tempo for [program_tooltip program_id='629296' first='Chi' last='City'] where they are extremely tough to slow down when they are in system. I'd keep an eye on this athlete heading into April.     [player_tooltip player_id='323929' first='Kate' last='Heatherly'] has always been on the radar, but she is rising to a new level and is one of the top available liberos in the Illinois Class of 2026. She's a true student of the game where she anticipates well and has a controlled platform. She can play any backrow position and will find a way to get a clean first contact to her setter for the offense to get rolling. She is accustomed to being able to serve receive at a high level. Above all, she is part of a winning culture, and knows how to play her role to elevate her team to the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='325508' first='Nora' last='Benjamins'] could be the steal of this Class of 2026 from 1st Alliance. At 6'2, long and athletic, Benjamins is a next level prospect as a middle blocker or even on the right side. I was really impressed with her overall athleticism and ability to move along the net. With her blocking, she knows how to get her hands in a hitting lane and can close the split. Offensively, I really like she can hit a variety of tempos and when she is able to swing off one foot she is so terminal. Definitely put her on the radar as a 2026 pick up who could make a big impact at the next level!

Our Prep Dig Illinois Class of 2026 Rankings have been updated. The 17s/Junior year is always a big one in terms of recruiting as many of these athletes are finding their future homes. There is still plenty of club season left for these these athletes and here are some 2026 athletes to put on the radar as we kick off April!