Some Known, Some New: Class of 2026 Standouts at Peak Scrimmage

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to see some of the best high school teams from around the state converge at the new Peak Volleyball Facility in NE Oklahoma City. Some of the best teams from classes 4A through 6A got to lace them up and go after other teams in the area for the first time this season, and it did not disappoint. There were numerous new looks, some familiar ones, and some teams that appeared to have undergone some roster upgrades. It was a great preview of what this season could look like, and it was competitive! I had to step away from coaching and walk around to look for the Class of 2026 players who stood out in those moments. Some names you may recognize, and some you may not, but they all brought something to the court that deserved some recognition.    This 2026 OH caught my attention with just a back-row swing as I was walking by; it had some pop, so I stopped to watch. I was glad I did. In just about 10 minutes of play, I witnessed a rope down the line, a kill that hit about 12-13 feet, and a touch cut that caught the opposing defense back on its heels, waiting for that power. Fun. To. Watch—a very talented player on a very talented team.     Watching Adelyn this weekend reminded me of what she does well: make plays and frustrate opposing hitters. It's doubtful that a ball hits the court around her without a diving touch from her nonstop effort. Addy is entering her 3rd season wearing a Varsity jersey, and there is a reason why. That is saying something for a program like Edmond Santa Fe. Addy doesn't hesitate, and she is constantly on the move. She is a streaky server who can go on some timely runs that turn into a huge plus for her team as well. I'm looking forward to watching Addy and Santa Fe at the NHS Tournament next month.     OKC Storm has some middles to keep involved, and Katie is one of those middles. She is long, has great reach, and makes you hit around her. She is an excellent fit for this team and helps keep the defense honest by not allowing them to sprint out to the pins. You have to account for her if you're an opposing defense. She can quickly put it down and can attack in different ways.     Ava is the player who will surprise a lot of opponents. Ava has been putting in work and producing with blocks and kills for CCS since she was a freshman, usually from the MB spot. She is an outstanding producer when she gets the ball to keep the defenses honest. She did that as usual this weekend. But don't let the CCS roster trick you, I got to watch her in club, and she has a chance to be a very productive pin when given the opportunity. She showed flashes of her versatility with frequent rotation and lineup changes with her club team this past season. I look forward to watching her and CCS at the NHS Tournament and seeing Ava and her team against some very talented squads that will be in Norman.     A couple of seasons ago, I would probably be talking about Presley playing all around, but unfortunately, she has had some bad runs of injuries requiring surgeries and rehab. This weekend, I watched a player who consistently returns to the court and plays well every time. She reads and adjusts on defense as well as anyone I watched Friday. This scrimmage was her first action back since a club season-ending knee injury at tryouts right after playing in the State Championship, where she passed with a SR of 2.55 and filled in at OH… all while just coming back from the injury before that. This kid is just a volleyball player. 6'0 who lived as an OH on some of the best club teams I've watched in the past, and then learns a new position, Libero, as a freshman in high school, where she was an anchor on the back row when CCS last won the title. Needless to say, I think Presley fits the trends of the long, athletic DS/Ls we are seeing on college rosters more frequently. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do with a full senior season.     Elle is one of those players who consistently does the little things that coaches like to see. Always picking up a crazy save, a timely solo block, quick coverage on a block deflection, and occasionally, you get to see her steal a set or two from Norman's Big 3. Last season, she finished 10th in the COAC Conference in Blocks (Norman had three players in the top 10), and she finished 4th in Hitting% on the team behind Norman's Big 3 that carried the majority of the attempts and had the least amount of attempts from the Top 6 front line players. She is just an overall Net Positive player you want on your team. Friday and Saturday she picked up where she left off last season for NHS, making positive plays.     Miley never comes off the court, and rightfully so. This kid brought high energy to the court nonstop. No matter what happens, she is the epitome of the "next ball" mentality, from what I observed on Saturday. Always a threat and high motor. Even if she faces a tough matchup, she finds ways to move the ball around and hit open spots with accuracy. On the defensive side of the ball, not many balls drop if they are in her area as well.

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to see some of the best high school teams from around the state converge at the new Peak Volleyball Facility in NE Oklahoma City. Some of the best teams from classes 4A through 6A got to lace them up and go after other teams in the area for the first time this season, and it did not disappoint. There were numerous new looks, some familiar ones, and some teams that appeared to have undergone some roster upgrades. It was a great preview of what this season could look like, and it was competitive!
I had to step away from coaching and walk around to look for the Class of 2026 players who stood out in those moments. Some names you may recognize, and some you may not, but they all brought something to the court that deserved some recognition.