2029’s Turning Heads Early in the 2026 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season is already seeing the next wave of talent make its presence known, with several sophomores stepping into key roles for their respective teams and drawing attention at their position. These young players are proving they can play at a high level and make an immediate impact for their programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894189"],"_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-6a8e04a11af76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='894189' first='Xandra' last='Forsyth'] in her sophomore season with the Falcons has already posted 95 kills and is hitting a .233 according to MaxPreps. Going all the way around as the rightside, Xandra has become a more disciplined blocker with her eye work and hand placement. In her most recent matchup, she showed a stronger ability to defend the overload at the net and shut down key players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894187"],"_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-6a8e04a11b018"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='894187' first='Chevelle' last='Peters'] makes her varsity for the Lone Peak Knights as an outside for her team. Her craftiness at the net, ball control, and added power bring a composed, consistent control to this year's lineup. In her most recent game, Chevelle posted 10 kills for the Knights, helping take down the Syracuse Sentinels -- the team that knocked them out in the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So far this season, Chevelle shows a stronger ability to see the block in front of her and swing with conviction. She did a good job getting her feet to the ball, swinging high, finding the edges of blocks, and attacking the seams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["963779"],"_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-6a8e04a11b0a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most important quality about [player_tooltip player_id='963779' first='Taylor' last='Smith']'s game is that her work ethic is unmatched. Her energy is endless, and she somehow always finds a way to impact the play even if she isn't directly involved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor knows how to adjust, adapt, and position herself as an impact player for every team she plays on. She utilizes the correct footwork to get off the net and back up efficiently and consistently. Her quick arm, consistent timing and spacing, and ability to elevate help her get past blocks and find different zones to score in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a blocker, she has a good first step that helps her track and get out to pins to help close, and if she doesn't make it all the way over, she knows to close the seam with her arms. If she isn't attacking, she's covering. If she isn't in the right spot, she is still working hard to make the best possible play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["963778"],"_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-6a8e04a11afc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='963778' first='Anaiah' last='Kahuhu'] steps into her sophomore season with the Redhawks with more confidence, developed ability, and overall strength. Standing at 6', Anaiah features a long arm, natural power, and a solid foundation and athleticism as a middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Since last high school season, her timing and spacing have become more consistent and aggressive. Her length at the net helps shutdown big hitters and position herself as an offensive option in the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In her most recent game, her first step was stronger and quicker, which helped her get out and close the seams. Her eye work kept her balanced at the net and allowed her to find her attackers early, close, and press.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933487"],"_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-6a8e04a11b05f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='933487' first='Paisley' last='Fuller'] from Skyridge High School has been a strong addition to the varsity lineup. As a sophomore now, Paisley has developed more control and even more power on top of the ball. Most notably, she demonstrates a stronger ability to correct mistakes quickly and continue to stay confident and aggressive at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901613"],"_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-6a8e04a11b0e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='901613' first='Kole' last='Riebe'] enters her sophomore season with the Falcons as the libero again this year. In the stats reported by MaxPreps, Kole has recorded 113 digs so far this season. She continues to excel at being scrappy, taking care of the easy stuff, and maintaining positive energy on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this new season, Kole has demonstrated an increase in defensive range and a quicker ability to locate and step to the ball efficiently in serve receive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->