Player of the Year Watch for Division 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects. </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a><em> now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prep volleyball season is at its midway point and there has been a lot of great play thus far in the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look at the teams performing well, here's the names that are starting to emerge as top Player of the Year candidates in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(Players listed in alphabetical order)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'], OH South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore phenom can't be stopped this year and she has the Cougars knocking on the door of being a title contender. She just recently passed 1,000 career kills and has over 360 this fall while hitting a mind-boggling .466 from the outside. Coleman has also improved on her defensive play while also becoming stronger from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007121' first='Brielle' last='Eveland'], S Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowell is a relatively young team, so the fact that a freshman can be in this discussion isn't surprising from the Red Arrows. Eveland was supposed to be part of a 6-2, but an injury forced her into being Lowell's lone setter as a freshman, but she's killing it thus far. With over 700 assists, she's one of the state's assist leaders in 2026, but she's also coming through with some tough defensive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass'], MH Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's been a lot of good things from Hudsonville this fall, but you can't deny the dominant play that this senior middle has been showing. Glass, an Aquinas commit, is hitting .479 on the season while leading the Hudsonville offense. She's also been one of the strongest blockers in the division as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'], OH Byron Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has proven she's one of the best in the country in this class with her recent play with Team USA, but she's the glue that brings everything together for Byron Center. Already an elite-level defender, her ability to be a dominant six-rotation outside speaks levels to her overall ability. The Nebraska commit looks focused on getting the Bulldogs back to Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'], OH Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior outside hitter has been one of the top players in D1 the last three years and is once again a top POY contender in 2026. The Penn State commit has had Mercy ranked at the top throughout the year while leading the team in kills with an impressive .355 hitting percentage. She's also one of the key defensive contributors, making an impact in all areas of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], OH FH Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loehfelm is just a difference-maker on the court and the Huskies play like a different team when she's on her game. The 6'1” senior that is committed to Villanova is making all the plays this year to help Northern be one of the top teams in Division 1. When she gets on a roll, she's one of the toughest hitters in the state to slow down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'], S Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Carolina commit has Clarkston playing at a very high level right now. The Wolves have gotten better and stronger offensively each week, with Smith dialed in at running this offense. She's got over 2,200 assists in her prep career while also being a strong defender and dynamite server.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'], RS Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not an easy choice to pick out just one player from Marian, but Smith seems to be making the biggest overall impact for one of the top D1 teams. She's putting the ball away at a high rate while approaching 250 kills. The Boston College commit also is a big asset on defense with over 160 digs and over 50 blocks. Her defensive play at the net might be what helps push her to toward being POY.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'], S Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eisenhower looks like it has been able to put everything together this season and Trip is a big reason why. The senior setter and College of Charleston commit has the Eagles hitting .282 as a team, as she spreads the ball out nicely to all of their power arms. Over 500 assists and 50 aces this season makes Tripi a definite POY candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'], OH Grand Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3” senior just keeps getting stronger in all areas of the game. Woiteshek, a Michigan State commit, recently became Grand Haven's all-time kills leader with 1,810 in her career. Woiteshek knows how to put the ball away and has the Buccaneers as one of the top teams in this state this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players In the Mix</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='710236' first='Morgan' last='Borodychuk'], Jr. OH Mt. Pleasant; [player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'], Sr. OH South Lyon; [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'], Sr. OH Orchard Lake St. Mary's; [player_tooltip player_id='775991' first='Sydney' last='Manning'], So. OH BC Lakeview; [player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'], [player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'], Sr. OH Milford; Sr. OH Jenison; [player_tooltip player_id='490374' first='Elizabeth' last='Risdon'], Sr. OH Zeeland East; [player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe'], Jr. OH Bloomfield Hills; [player_tooltip player_id='664290' first='Heidi' last='White'], Jr. S East Grand Rapids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->