Big Time Stock Risers In The Class Of 2026 Updated Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for a deep discount on your annual national subscription!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many new additions and a ton of kids committing to their future homes for the fall of 2026, it was hard finding just five athletes that had such a meteoric rise since the last update just a few months ago. Fortunately, there was enough moving and shaking that five distinct athletes and their other-worldly traits stuck out and made their stock that much more valuable. Here are five volleyball players from five different clubs who know their value, bet on themselves, and won BIG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261045"],"_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-6891f3d2cc0c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our second mention of a Morehead State commit in as many days from this class alone brings us to the midpoint between Indianapolis and Louisville. Norah, an exceptional libero for years, has solidified herself as one of the premier serve receive queens south of I-70 in this class. Calm in platform yet active in footwork, Norah could easily pass half the court in SR, and would probably ask for more autonomy if you let her. I'm not surprised as much about Norah's success as I am about where she's from---Seymour has developed a TON of high-level attackers and a setter or two that are more than able to play at the Division I level, yet Norah is the first passer in a long while for the Owls that stands out to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["220830"],"_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-6891f3d2cc122"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a freshman for the Bulldogs, I specifically remember Kate doing the six-rotation outside hitter routine. Fast-forward to today, and she's committed to up-and-coming Horizon League member Oakland out of Michigan, and has solidified herself as a premier libero on the west side of Indianapolis. Longer and taller than most liberi, Kate reads and reacts with the best of them, all while passing to target much more often than not. I'm a huge fan of her athleticism and her ability to anticipate what opposing attackers will do, making her job a bit easier in the long run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381125"],"_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-6891f3d2cc16d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From WAY up north, much closer to Chicago than Indianapolis, Lucy is an athletic marvel that can attack as well as she can set. The folks at Ball State see her as a setter, as her athleticism/set decision combination is off the charts for this or any graduating class. I've been high on Miss McCollum for a while---no other setter I'm familiar with can do every volleyball skill at as high a level as Lucy can. Additionally, the high school she comes from isn't exactly known for their volleyball; Lucy's not only paving the way for fellow teammates, but could be an absolute steal for Ball State in this graduating class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764577"],"_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-6891f3d2cc1b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another exceptional passer from northern Indiana, Bella could be called "old reliable". She's not flashy, nor is she the "look at me" type of player. She does her job so well that (1) the average fan won't notice, and (2) teams she's on win because of her presence. Bella is borderline taken for granted, and is so locked in when she's playing that she sets a different standard for how the libero position should be played. Near perfect in serve receive and controlled on floor defense, Southern Illinois gets a gem of a defender that will allow them to compete at a higher level in the Missouri Valley Conference sooner rather than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502826"],"_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-6891f5330d057"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Committed to Rollins (D2) out of Florida, Lola is a springy 4A state champion middle that has M2 written all over her, with a sprinkling of M1 for good measure. One of the more athletic middles in this class, Lola's jumping ability sticks out immediately while watching her play. I like the length she brings on defense, as her wing span makes her look much taller than her 6' frame might otherwise tell the average observer. Her attacking in front of the setter is refined to the point that she can pick and choose her angle to terminate. She's slowly developing her silde attack, which should be perfected by the time she enters school next fall. In short, Lola is proof that the relentless grind of recruiting is completely worth it, as her never-ending work ethic and motor is infectious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->