Time for the Prep Dig predictions for Virginia high school state champions. Last year Prep Dig was correct on only two of the six classes (Riverside and James Wood), two other picks reached the finals but lost (Colgan and Fort Defiance) and Auburn lost in the semi-finals. Grafton was picked to win Class 3 but they bumped up to Class 4, losing in the semi-finals there. That one was lost on a technicality. Below are Prep Digs new predictions for the 2026 VHSL high school season. Later posts will predict the VISAA, WCAC, ISL, IAAM and MPSSAA, a smorgasburg of alphabet soup. After that the first top 25 high schools in the DMV will come out.

Key Returners - They will have a solid back row with Audrey Busch Audrey Busch 5'5" | DS/L West Springfield | 2027 State VA and Addison Lopez Addison Lopez 5'3" | DS/L West Springfield | 2027 VA returning. Anna Dierks Anna Dierks 5'10" | S West Springfield | 2027 State VA will repeat her role as the setter. She still has some weapons to go to with Milena Kibret Milena Kibret 6'3" | MB West Springfield | 2027 State VA returning to the middle. Layla Babiker Layla Babiker 5'8" | OH/DS/L West Springfield | 2028 State VA will replace some of that lost offense at one of the pins.

Key departures - left side Nina Schweigert, right side Ryleigh McGovern and middle Andrea Lazo are the key departures. Ryleigh McGovern was cut her junior year returned her senior year, finishing second on the team in kills. They can't hope for something like that to happen again.

Newcomers - Eldhana Kibret Eldhana Kibret 6'0" | RS/OH West Springfield | 2029 State VA played for the junior varsity last year. She is the younger sister of Milena. She currently does not appear on the Max Prep varsity roster. They do have a senior Kyleigh Sheater a 6'1" right side/middle who did not appear on the roster last year.

Prediction - They have the talent to make the state bracket but will fall short of the championship. It is not easy to repeat in Class 6. Langley did it in 2023/2024 but that is the only high school that has done it since Class 6 was created.

Key Returners - They have the offensive performers in left side Madison Meiring Madison Meiring 5'10" | OH/DS/L Oakton | 2029 State VA , right side Marissa Turek Marissa Turek 5'11" | RS Oakton | 2027 State VA and middle Jocelynn Kinlaw Jocelynn Kinlaw 5'10" | MB Oakton | 2027 State VA . They have a very strong back row with Olivia Baick Olivia Baick 5'7" | DS/L/OH Oakton | 2029 State VA , Carolyn Angelicchio Carolyn Angelicchio 5'5" | DS/L Oakton | 2028 State VA and Isabella Peterson.

Key Departures -Setter Julia Xu, ds/libero Abigail Hegg.

Newcomers - Middle Luciana Martinez Luciana Martinez 5'10" | MB Oakton | 2028 State VA comes up from the junior varsity to solidify the middle while setter Eileen Kim Eileen Kim 5'5" | S Oakton | 2029 State VA replaces Julie Xu as the setter.

Colgan - They reached the finals last year before losing to West Springfield in five. They have one of the best liberos in sophomore Angelie Rose Carrasco Angelie Rose Carrasco 5'2" | DS/L Colgan | 2029 State VA . Sienna Mitchell Sienna Mitchell 5'11" | OH/RS Colgan | 2028 State VA provides the offense from the left side. The key could be how well middle Gabrielle Cherry Gabrielle Cherry 6'1" | MB Colgan | 2028 State VA recovers from her injury.

Colonial Forge - They share the same Region as Woodbridge and Colgan. All three have the talent to reach the state bracket. Colonial Forge has yet to provide rosters but they have talent on offense with middle Karinne Goodrum Karinne Goodrum 6'0" | MB Colonial Forge | 2027 State VA , right side Lexiana Everetts Lexiana Everetts 6'0" | RS/MB | Right Hand Colonial Forge | 2027 State VA , outsides Kendal Walker Kendal Walker 5'9" | OH Colonial Forge | 2028 State VA and Jaylyn Barnes Jaylyn Barnes 5'7" | OH VA . Paige Stoll Paige Stoll 5'5" | DS/L/S Colonial Forge | 2029 State VA could take over the libero role while setters Ella Sloan Ella Sloan 5'7" | S Colonial Forge | 2027 State VA , Aniyah Brevard Aniyah Brevard 5'3" | S Colonial Forge | 2027 VA and Cameron Stoll Cameron Stoll 5'5" | S/RS Colonial Forge | 2028 VA all return to share the setting duties.

Others to compete - Landstown, Woodbridge, Fairfax and Langley

Key Returners - Libero Camryn Coulther Camryn Coulther 5'6" | DS/L Riverside | 2027 State VA will keep the passing sharp. Left side Kennedy Peyton Kennedy Peyton 5'8" | OH Riverside | 2027 State VA appeared to bypass club this year. They may need her to pick up her offense. Last year she was fifth on the team in kills but the four ahead of her have all graduated. Middle Sydney Lewis Sydney Lewis 6'1" | MB Riverside | 2029 State VA is still young. A three peat does not appear in the cards.

Key Departures - middles Gabby Vizek and Hadassah Dakin-Davis, right side Nadiyah Johnson, settes Mackenzie Davis and Sydney Ray

Newcomers - middle Ava Ibiezugbe Ava Ibiezugbe 5'10" | MB/OH Riversideschoo | 2028 State VA

Prediction - They will fall short of a three peat. They lost a lot of offense and need to replace both setters.

Key returners - Independence is not the best at providing rosters but with what I know right side/left side Kieran Rhoton Kieran Rhoton 6'0" | RS/OH Independencesc | 2027 State VA will lead the offense. Kaelyn Wharton Kaelyn Wharton 5'8" | OH/DS/L Independencesc | 2027 State VA will share the senior leadership and hits left side. Samantha Green Samantha Green 5'10" | RS/OH Independencesc | 2028 State VA can also play the pins. Victoria Liakos Victoria Liakos MB Independencesc | 2028 State VA and Ella Peay Ella Peay 5'10" | MB/RS Independencesc | 2029 State VA will play middle. Don't know who will set or pass but perhaps rosters will become available this year. If all they have are hitters it will be tough. Someone has to get the ball to them.

Newcomers - Right side Kinley Rhoton Kinley Rhoton 5'11" | OH/RS Independencesc | 2030 State VA and left side Leyla Landry Leyla Landry 5'9" | OH Independencesc | 2030 State VA could help the offense immediately, but there are veterans at their positions.

Other Challengers - Ocean Lakes, Frank Cox, Lightridge, North Stafford and Briar Woods

Key Returners - middle Reese Justice Reese Justice 5'7" | MB James Wood | 2027 State VA , left side Kennedi Bower Kennedi Bower 5'8" | OH/MB James Wood | 2029 State VA , setters Kylee Plumb Kylee Plumb 5'5" | S/RS James Wood | 2027 State VA and Bella Middleton Bella Middleton 5'5" | S James Wood | 2028 State VA , libero Macie Hewitt Macie Hewitt 5'5" | DS/L James Wood | 2029 State VA all return. That is a veteran group assigned the task of making up for the loss of Kennedy and Brenna.

Key Departures - outsides Kennedy Spaid and Brenna Corbin, middle/right side Claire Keefer.

Newcomers - Callie Keefer Callie Keefer RS State VA , setter Sophia Roddefer Sophia Roddefer 5'5" | S James Wood | 2029 State VA

Prediction - Another defending champion falling short. The dynamic duo will seek new titles at James Madison and Arizona State.

Key Returners - left sides Aaliyah Green Aaliyah Green 5'11" | OH/RS Millbrook | 2027 State VA and Avery Fauver Avery Fauver 5'9" | OH Millbrook | 2028 State VA will be a tough duo to contain. They can also provide punch from the right side with Lora Totcheva Lora Totcheva 6'0" | RS Millbrook | 2027 State VA and Reese Cooke Reese Cooke 5'5" | RS Millbrook | 2029 State VA . Paisley Cook Paisley Cook 5'5" | S Millbrook | 2027 State VA and Mckenna Homans Mckenna Homans 5'8" | S/RS Millbrook | 2029 State VA will share setting duties while liberos/defensive specialists Katherine Madden Katherine Madden 5'5" | DS/L Millbrook | 2027 State VA and Madisyn Carter Madisyn Carter 5'3" | DS/L Millbrook | 2029 State VA will provide the passing and defense to establish the offense.

Key Departures - outside Drue Patterson, libero Natalie Huck

Other Challengers - Loudoun County, Grafton (if moved up to Class 4), Heritage and Atlee

Despite winning the state title no one on the team is ranked by Prep Dig. They beat Christiansburg in the state finals. It has been since 1983 when they won their first and only title. They made it to the finals and lost in 1987, 1989 and 1994.

While many players are returning their two first team all state team players Gracie Statzer and Annsley Trivette are departing. They were the two captains on the team. They do appear to have one frosh to make the roster, middle Sawyer Mathesius. Don't see them repeating.

Key Returners - left side Ava Ewald Ava Ewald 6'1" | OH Kettle Run | 2028 State VA will probably win player of the year. Setter Alexa Balgavy Alexa Balgavy S Kettle Run | 2028 State VA knows who to set when they need a point. Libero Maddie Stubblefield Maddie Stubblefield 5'6" | DS/L Kettle Run | 2027 State VA and left side Alex Adam Alex Adam 5'10" | RS Kettle Run | 2027 State VA also provide support.

Key Departures - middle Brook DeAtley and setter Bella Carlson.

Other Challengers - Christiansburg, New Kent, Lord Botetourt

Setter Mattox Adams was ranked 191 in our class of 2026. She won player of the year for Class 2. She committed to play volleyball at Salisbury University. Jaylyn Holt and libero Briana Dobbins also made the first team. Lillian Joyce made the second team. All those players have graduated. They beat Fort Defiance in the finals last season.

Key Returners - right side Caroline Hanger Caroline Hanger 5'7" | OH Fort Defiance | 2028 State VA , libero Norah Anderson Norah Anderson 5'4" | DS/L Fort Defiance | 2027 State VA , setter Alexis Miller Alexis Miller 5'9" | S Fort Defiance | 2027 VA . Alexis set a 5/1 last year. She lists 5'9". Alexis won second team all state team honors as well as All Valley setter of the year. It was her first year setting for Fort Defiance. The previous year she spent most of her time on the bench as the third setter behind Caroline Hanger Caroline Hanger 5'7" | OH Fort Defiance | 2028 State VA and Riley Davis. Her 771 assists last year were the third highest in Fort Defiance history. She also plays softball and basketball for the school.

Key Departures - left side Maecy Frizzelle, middle Savannah Crookshanks

Newcomers - Frosh outside hitter/setter Maddie Gale

Other Challengers - Appomattox County and James River

Giles had the dominant 6'1" Sophie Taylor to hit outside. She broke Caleigh Ponn's record for most career kills by a Virginia player. This year she will attend Mississippi to play volleyball. She won state player of the year for Class 1 for the third consecutive season. Max Preps named Giles as the number one small school in the country. It will be hard to replace her offense.

Key Returners - left side Alexis VerMeer Alexis VerMeer 6'1" | OH/RS Lancaster | 2028 State VA , libero Addison George Addison George 5'6" | DS/L Lancaster | 2028 State VA , Kelsie Cox, Kelsey Bishoff, Kynleigh Wilson, Issabella Gil, setter Rory Lally

Newcomers - Frosh Allie Davenport, frosh Kailyn Allen

Other challengers - Middlesex and Auburn