Behind-the-Scenes of the ’26 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The competition is TIGHT in this class. There are a massive number of talented athletes, and I am excited I still have two and a half years to watch them play! This is a big year for the class of 2026 as they are developing their game to play at the next level. So far this club season, there have been some great matchups. Our Prep Dig Resolution was just one example where there was a tie in our three-team gold pool. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the most recent class of 2026 Ranking Update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">By the Numbers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a big update in terms of athletes ranked and on our watch list. We added 35 athletes to our ranking and nearly 50 athletes to our watch list. Most of these athletes came onto our radar after big high school seasons, playing at our Top 250 Expo, or their performance so far this club season. We had about 20 athletes rise in the rankings, and there was a lot of movement in the top 50. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Club Changes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of athletes in this class chose to switch clubs. [player_tooltip player_id='221048' first='Natalie' last='Surges'] headed to 1st Alliance, where she is positively impacting their 16 Gold team. [player_tooltip player_id='376214' first='Molly' last='Daugherty'] made the switch from VC United to Motion. There were a number of club switches throughout the ranking and watch list, and I am sure we have not even found them all. If you switched clubs and it is not updated yet, please claim your profile and update your club so we know where to catch you playing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Explosive New Names</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some new names who exploded onto the scene, including [player_tooltip player_id='504161' first='Malena' last='Benz'] who is playing for Sting 16 Gold and who is a very athletic middle with huge potential. [player_tooltip player_id='504433' first='Julia' last='Cayon'] with Motion also stands out as an athlete to watch. She is a high-flying pin who is absolutely lethal both in and out of system. [player_tooltip player_id='504441' first='Kayla' last='Landerud'] with Sting United is a physical and powerful middle who made her name known at the Resolution tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='504459' first='Alaina' last='Kraemer'] is a lefty setter and right side who plays for Madtown and is fast, athletic, and competitive in every play. [player_tooltip player_id='453657' first='Maddie' last='Brown'] is a middle hitter who was essential to DSHA's championship run this past season and is playing for 414. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">High-Level Teams from Across the State</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that stands out to me is the high level of play happening in every corner of the state. Elevate is making a name for itself out of western Wisconsin. [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] is looking to have several high-level teams again this year. Madtown is establishing itself as one of the top teams in the state. And Just A Game has some great talent this year. This is just a small example of the great volleyball coming from across our state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->