New Blood Making their Class of 2026 Debuts

There were 19 hew additions to the class of 2026 rankings. Some of these additions were created because a starting spot opened up on the varsity roster and a player responded. Others showed major improvement over the previous year making me go "Wow". And finally, with all the players out there it sometimes just takes time to get on my radar.   By my count over 600 players not ranked at one point were considered for the 2026 rankings. Many more were not considered. When trying to find the best players it only makes sense to find the teams having success. The next step is to identify the players who are contributing to that success. Take a look at the top ten and you will find six state champions. When club season begins you will probably find me hanging out at the Open tournaments trying to find the players from those medal winning teams who are contributing to that collection of hardware. It does not mean I will ignore non-open tournaments, but there has to be a special reason to attract me.   It is unusual for me to find 19 new players to add to the rankings for girls who are playing their final season of high school ball. But there are a lot of players to look at in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area. I try to find them all but it is rare when I watch a tournament that someone does not stand out that I have not seen before. For the most part the club identification is the team the player identified with last year.   80. [player_tooltip player_id='753047' first='Olivia' last='Schulz'] MB (Madison/American) - Last year Madison had a very successful season. Olivia played in only a quarter of those sets. This year the Warhawks continued with their success. Olivia stood out as a key component to that success. She played a strong middle, leading the team in blocks while finishing third in kills. She also shared the captain's slot with [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']. At 5'10" she is not a giant for the middle, but she brings the athleticism to move from pin to pin as well as execute the transitions that allow her to bury the quick sets. This is a player who either greatly improved from last year or finally got an opportunity to show off her skill set.   87. [player_tooltip player_id='895854' first='Dawn' last='Pena'] OH/MB (Garrison Forest/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Unfortunately, I have yet to see Dawn play. However, watching video and analyzing Maxpreps data it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that Dawn is one of the top players in the area. At number 87 I fear this ranking is actually too low. She finished first on her team in kills, ahead of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='555602' first='Bryah' last='Breaux'] who ranks at number 18. She also lists an impressive 6'2". The Hofstra commit will play this year for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] which will give me an opportunity to validate whether her video tells the whole story. On the [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] roster they list her as an outside/right side.   100. [player_tooltip player_id='845472' first='Emily' last='Cook'] OH (Liberty Christian/HOV) - Emily is a 6'0" left side who was replaced by the setter in the back row. Liberty Christian used [player_tooltip player_id='722276' first='Kenstin' last='Phelps'] as the other setter. She stayed in when she got to the front row to hit either pin. Emily led the team in kills hitting at an impressive .388. Her height as well as the velocity she puts on the ball leads to her success rate in finding the floor. Liberty Christian made a good run for the state championship but got eliminated in the first round.   102, [player_tooltip player_id='882319' first='Camdyn' last='Milisitz'] OH (Frank Cox/[program_tooltip program_id='498497' first='757' last='volleyball club']) - Another hard hitter who only played three rotations in games I watched her play at the Virginia Volleyball showcase. However, when looking at her stats she does get an opportunity at serve/receive. What impressed me most about the 5'10" left side was how high she elevated herself when she approached to hit a ball. I see a lot of upside in the Lynchburg commit. She finished second on the team in kills.   106. [player_tooltip player_id='470565' first='Gabriela' last='Cid'] L/DS (Langley/MOJO) - Another player who did not get a lot of playing time last year. This year Langly put her at libero and she played it well. Her biggest strength may lie with her consistent passing. She keeps Langley in system putting up dimes to the setter with her quiet platform. Her defensive play also remains solid. Last year she only played in half of the sets coming in as a defensive specialist. This year she stood out as a regular contributor to the team's success.   113. [player_tooltip player_id='882552' first='Kathleen' last='Grosz'] RS/MB (Frank Cox/[program_tooltip program_id='498497' first='757' last='volleyball club']) - Kathleen is a teammate of Camdyn at Cox. She has also committed to Lynchburg. At 6'0' she stands a bit taller than Camdyn which slots her as a right side/middle. She ranks first on the team in kills as well as service aces and third on the team in digs. She stays in the back row for defense. Kathleen will also play with Camdyn at [program_tooltip program_id='498497' first='757' last='volleyball club'].   120. [player_tooltip player_id='377340' first='Mary' last='Ross'] RS (Paul Vi/Libero) - Another player who seemed to step it up a notch this year. Last year the Panthers finished at .500. One of their weaknesses was an inability to generate a lot of offense. This changed this past season when they picked up two new left sides. Mary also seemed to light it up on the court from the right side. When she got hot the balls hit the floorl with fury. While the two left sides [player_tooltip player_id='357402' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'] led the team in kills, Mary listed third. A very emotional player who could turn the tide with her enthusiasm after successful hits or blocks.   144. [player_tooltip player_id='800352' first='Elinor' last='Suh'] DS/L (Fairfax/Beach) - At one point Elinor appeared in our rankings at 191. Last year she represented Fairfax on the all tournament team in the Flint Hill tournament. They did not have a very successful season finishing 2-17-1. This year they turned things around transforming those 17 losses into 17 wins. While they picked up a couple of talented frosh the play of Elinor at libero allowed their offense to click. She passed well while also showing quickness on defense to keep rallies alive. Elinor focuses on beach during the club season.   161. [player_tooltip player_id='881841' first='Bella' last='Carlson'] S (Kettle Run/North Piedmont) - Last year I missed seeing Kettle Run play after their successful 21-3 season. This year I got to see them play early in the season. Bella impressed me with her ability to hammer the ball from the right side as well as set. At 5'9" she brings the height to run a 5/1. Against Meridian Kettle Run played their setters just behind the middle blocker near area 3. This created a number of defensive opportunities for Bella. She would be that player out of my radar until this year.   177. [player_tooltip player_id='888598' first='Sena' last='Elston'] OH (South Lakes/Volley Viet) - At 5'7" Sena is not the type of player that will hammer the ball from the left side. She plays the cerebral game, using the block or finding the open areas of the court. Despite her small stature she finished second on the team in kills. South Lakes stood out as one of the surprise teams early in the season with Sena's offensive game giving the opponent's coach fits. Sena also played for the Volley Viet team that finished 9th in AAUs. A player you need to watch a lot to appreciate.    Raegan debuted at 183 in our class of 2026 ranking. She shined at a Crofton tournament earning a spot on Jeremy's all tournament team. At 5'9" she would be considered undersized for a left side but she puts the ball away, even in the most clutch moments. A player you can go to when you need someone to put the ball away.   Calvert had a very successful season this year reaching the semi-finals. They lost in four to the eventual state champion Glenelg. Raegan appears to be that six rotation offensive and defensive spark the team relied on for their success.    186. [player_tooltip player_id='890257' first='Ryleigh' last='McGowen'] RS ( West Springfield) - Last year West Springfield lost their top offensive player Evelyn Jurden to graduation. She accounted for more than 50 percent of the team's offense. This year they appear to carry more balancer. Ryleigh brings that balance from the right side. Last year, she did not even make the roster. This year she is banging balls from the right side, enough to give the school their first state championship. She finished third on the team in kills and third in blocks. Of course, none of that really matters after you win the state championship. When it mattered most she led the team in kills with 15.   195. [player_tooltip player_id='809679' first='Jewel' last='Moore'] RS (Good Counsel) - At 5'9" Jewel is a smaller pin who can put the ball away from either side of the court. Her athleticism provides her with a good jump that allows her to rise above the net. Jewel earned a spot on the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) second team. A talented player who stood out playing for a struggling team.   202. [player_tooltip player_id='903334' first='Ava' last='Fadool'] S/RS (Brunswick/North Carolina Volleyball Academy) - Ava played middle for Brunswick, a Division IV school in the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA). She was their primary offensive weapon hitting the higher sets in the middle with a left handed swing. Brunswick won the Division IV state championship with Ava winning the player of the year honors. Now that the high school season is done Ava will play for North Carolina Volleyball Academy where she sets and plays right side. Her left handed swing fits well for the right side.    She debuts at 207 in our 2026 rankings. Another player who I have yet to see play but her videos show an accomplished setter. She was the main setter for the Grizzlies. It also appears she will set one of her leading outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='895854' first='Dawn' last='Pena']. Both will play for the Paramount 18 team this year.   She describes her style of play as energetic. At 5'5" her height would limit her in the front row, but she has the defensive chops and quickness to play libero. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] shows her on the roster as a setter/DS/libero.   Garrison Forest lost in the semifinals of the IAAM championships to Maryvale Prep.    209. [player_tooltip player_id='805109' first='Charleston' last='Hart'] M (Norfollk Academy/[program_tooltip program_id='498497' first='757' last='volleyball club']) - At 5'9" she might be considered a little undersized for a middle. However, she has the athleticism to move well around the court. She also plays soccer and softball for her high school. For volleyball, she led her team in kills. Because she plays six rotations when she plays outside this gives her the flexibility to also play defensive specialist/libero.   212. [player_tooltip player_id='803268' first='Reese' last='Hall'] DS/L (Christiansburg/River Valley Jrs) - Reese plays libero for Christiansburg. They were undefeated until they lost in the finals to Abingdon in the Class 3 state championships. Reese leads her team in service aces and digs. She will average about one ace per set. Another player making the grade I have yet to see play but her video and MaxPreps stats stand out.   213. [player_tooltip player_id='845377' first='Claire' last='Keefer'] MB/OH (James Wood/Go VBC) - Last year [player_tooltip player_id='320815' first='Tenley' last='Mattison'] played middle for the Colonels. When she moved to a different district someone had to take her place at the middle position. Despite her 5'8" height Claire shared the middle while also playing right side. Despite her diminutive size she led the team in blocks. Best of all, James Wood went on to win their fourth consecutive championship.   214. [player_tooltip player_id='823083' first='Carly' last='Adams'] MB (Briar Woods/[program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite']) - Sometimes all you have to do is have the game of your life and you find yourself in the Prep Dig rankings. I don't know if it was the game of her life but Carly almost single handedly sent Riverside to a defeat. It took them five sets, but Riverside finally won, however [player_tooltip player_id='823083' first='Carly' last='Adams'] played a terrific middle. At 5'10" she brings some height to the court. Perhaps still a little raw in her technical skills but there is certainly promise in her game.   -

There were 19 hew additions to the class of 2026 rankings. Some of these additions were created because a starting spot opened up on the varsity roster and a player responded. Others showed major improvement over the previous year making me go "Wow". And finally, with all the players out there it sometimes just takes time to get on my radar.