2026's: Super Star Freshman Vol. 1

We are almost midway through the high school season in Texas. Some teams have played upward of 30+ games already with a full district schedule to go. Volleyball in Texas has been super competitive this season. As a strong group of seniors makes their way out, a group of freshmen is here to take their place. Over the next few months, we will go over some of the best of the class of '26, and what they bring to the table for their program.   Halle Thompson - Grand Oaks   One of the most notable outside hitters in the state is freshman Halle Thompson from Grand Oaks. Watching her over the last year, her all-around game has improved, and she is turning into a well-rounded 6-rotation pin hitter. She has accumulated 226 kills so far this season. Playing for Grand Oaks has improved her skills dramatically over the last month playing the best of the best in the state. Her blocking is phenomenal and her serve receive is very calm for a freshman. Her intensity and drive to win are contagious to her team. She will be one to watch for sure as we go into the post-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='197468' first='Jayden' last='Robinson'] - Ridge Point   Another Houston area outside makes the list. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='197468' first='Jayden' last='Robinson'] grabs the second spot for her outstanding athletic ability. With an approach touch of 10'2, Jayden often jumps up and over the block of the opposing team. She has a sick shot down the line and has a lot of power behind the ball. She is funneled into a stellar Ridge Point program and will continue to grow and improve under the leadership of some great upperclassmen pin hitters.   Riley Malloy - Austin High   Austin High's Riley Malloy is next on the list. As a freshman, she is currently leading the team in kills. Just recently, she had a 25-kill game against Weiss High School. She is being set by one of the best, [player_tooltip player_id='124129' first='Campbell' last='Bartley'], and is getting the opportunity to take a lot of quality swings as a freshman. Riley plays for Austin Skyline, and you will often see her playing 6 rotations there as well. If she can improve her defensive game, she will be a force to be reckoned with.   [player_tooltip player_id='225147' first='Caroline' last='Prihoda'] - College Park   [player_tooltip player_id='225147' first='Caroline' last='Prihoda'] is bearing a lot of responsibility for running the offense for College Park. She often will share the setting responsibility, but you can often find her running a 5-1 offense. Her volleyball IQ is very high, and her placement is great. She seems to have made a connection with her hitters as she's the team leader in assists. She definitely has the ability to grow as an athlete and as a leader this school season.   Jaidyn Hartsfield - Horn High School   One of the most versatile players in North Texas is utility player Jaidyn Hartsfield. I say utility player because she can really do it all. Right now she is a pin hitter for Horn High School. She racked up 151 kills and even more digs playing 6 rotations. Her ability to hit any ball is astounding, and she not only makes the play but is aggressive in her decisions. You would never know she stands at only 5'8 because her vertical and confidence in herself are both very high.   Henley Anderson - Dripping Springs   A tall pin hitter from Dripping Springs is next, 6'2 Henley Anderson has been playing lights out for Dripping Springs. Her hitting percentage is .330 over 51 sets according to Maxpreps. She has a lot of potential to be lethal all the way around, and Dripping Springs often uses her as a 6-rotation backrow option. Keep your eye on this one to develop into a force in the Austin area.   Nadi'Ya Shelby - Friendswood   Nadi'Ya Shelby makes the list for her sheer athleticism and size. Just 8 months ago as an 8th grader she touched 10'6. She is playing for a really good Friendswood team, and she has been allowed a decent amount of opportunities to improve her game. She racked up 149 kills in is averaging 2.2 kills per set. She is still figuring out how to hit a tempo ball, but I think under the guidance of Friendswood and her club AVA, she will get there in no time.   Blaire Bowers - Plano West   Blaire Bowers has snuck in some varsity play time on a very good Plano West team with a lot of seniority. She has 23 total blocks and 41 kills so far this season. She will gain more play time I am sure of it, with her sheer size and athleticism. She plays for a really good Madfrogs team, and can really put the ball away.   Blair Thiebaud - College Station   Perhaps one of the better move-ins in the state is freshman setter Blair Thiebaud to College Station. Standing at 5'10, she is tall, aggressive at the net, her hands are very high off the set and she sets a great tempo ball. College Station is allowing her to run the offense in a 5-1 and she has accumulated a whopping 616 assists in just 5 weeks. Blair is the setter to definitely keep your eye on as the season progresses.   Da'Maya Mann - Harlan High School   Last up on our lineup is setter and middle hitter Da'Maya Mann of Harlan High School. Watching her during club season for Alamo volleyball, Da'Maya can really do it all. She is a very good middle who puts the ball away fast and hard. She also moves pin to pin very well, and her hands are so clean when she sets. She makes amazing athletic plays at the net. If you haven't caught a game of hers yet, you're missing out!   Check out volume 2 which will be coming soon!

We are almost midway through the high school season in Texas. Some teams have played upward of 30+ games already with a full district schedule to go. Volleyball in Texas has been super competitive this season. As a strong group of seniors makes their way out, a group of freshmen is here to take their place. Over the next few months, we will go over some of the best of the class of '26, and what they bring to the table for their program.