2026 Legacy Club Profile: 17-1 ADIDAS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thus far in 2026, the only thing slowing down Legacy 17-1 ADIDAS is the weather.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a perfect run through the 2026 Nike Classic 17 Open Division in mid-January, the never-ending winter storms kept this squad from attending the Central Zone Invite a few weeks ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, Triple Crown is right on the horizon and this 17-1 ADIDAS team looks like a contender for the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coached by Kacy Byron, here's a closer look at this year's team from Legacy and what they bring to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] - S</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'] - MB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='592201' first='Frankie' last='Ramsdell-Washington'] - MB</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'] - MB/RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] - OH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='480861' first='Bryn' last='Meyer'] - OH</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'] - OH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] - RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] - L/DS</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] - L/DS</td><td>Charlotte Gardner - L/DS</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Team Chemistry</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group is all back from the 2025 club season, which provides a lot of familiarity and team chemistry. This group has been able to hit the ground running, led by setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] </strong>(North Carolina), who brings her elite play and leadership to the court every set. She knows where to get the ball to these hitters and her hitters know how to put it away. Smith also knows the right things to say in the pressure situations to keep her teammates calm, cool, and collected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elite Defense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the hitting in the world is great, but if you can't dig up the ball, then it doesn't really matter. Thankfully for Legacy, this squad has three standout defenders that could wear the libero jersey anywhere in the country. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] </strong>(Alabama), <strong>Charlotte Gardner </strong>(Bowling Green) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] </strong>(Western Michigan) are already Division 1 commits and have been up against the very best hitting in the country. Their elite-level serve receive makes Legacy a contender against anyone. Their ability to keep the ball off the floor during hectic scrambles will also allow this team to steal some hard-fought points along the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hitting For Days</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's get into the hitting. This squad features six hitters already committed to playing in college, with another sure to be there soon. The middles are going to be a handful for opponents in 6'2” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'] </strong>(Clemson) and 6'1” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592201' first='Frankie' last='Ramsdell-Washington'] </strong>(North Texas). Each has the ability to take over a match and be a dominant blocker at the net. On the outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] </strong>(Ohio State) is a 6'1” outside that can do it all and just keeps getting better and better in all phases of the game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480861' first='Bryn' last='Meyer'] </strong>(Clemson) is another 6'2” option on the outside to give this team even more length to work with, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'] </strong>is an explosive outside that can hold her own with anyone when at her best. On the right side, Legacy has two of the best there as well in 6'2” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </strong>(Boston College) and 5'11” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'] </strong>(Hillsdale), who can each jump out of the building and deliver some of the most emphatic kills you'll see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad isn't going to be short on expectations, that is for sure. The Nike Classic was just a sample of the potential this group has. With their grittiness, determination, and drive, expect this squad to get a lot of podium finishes in 2026. They have all the intangibles to be one of the nation's best in the 17 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->