Taya Thaden
Taya Thaden
About Taya
Expert Analysis
Austin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden returns to anchor a physical, intimidating Nebraska Elite 17 Phoenix frontcourt. This Millard West junior has a rare combination of size and lateral quickness, making Thaden an ideal choice for the M1 position. She is eager to run behind the setter and terminate on the slide before opposing blockers can organize. 17 Phoenix will lean on Thaden’s high-efficiency scoring while measuring up in NLQ’s coveted Open division.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Millard West is at its best when it operates through the middle. Even after the Wildcats missed out on last year’s tournament, we were confident that Thaden and her team would bounce back quickly as tournament contenders. Millard West’s junior middle blocker has surpassed triple-digit kills and has a knack for scoring behind the setter. She has also reached an impressive blocking total while standing next to several new frontcourt players on this year’s Wildcat team. Millard West has climbed to sixth in the Class A standings after several high-profile wins during the late-season grind.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden continues her ascent with Nebraska Elite. Her physical presence has anchored the net for the club’s top 16s team, and Thaden is only getting better with more experience. Not only will she put up a wall in the blocking phase, but this Millard West prospect is developing a lethal slide attack to expand Nebraska Elite 16-1’s offense. That range will be vital as Thaden’s team spars with some of the nation’s best at upcoming qualifiers.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Nebraska Elite gets another middle blocker entry with Thaden paving the way in the Class of 2026. She became an ideal M1 for Millard West this fall and proved to be an ever-improving attacker on the slide. Thaden’s length advantage will be spotlighted when she competes with Nebraska Elite’s top 16s group, and this middle blocker’s stock will likely keep rising.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden changes the dynamic of Millard West’s frontcourt, and she does it in a variety of ways. Most notably, Thaden’s range off of one foot allows her to be an ideal M1 who can get much-needed sideouts in two-hitter rotations. The Wildcats also rely on Thaden to be a blocking anchor who generates positive touches along the net. All of these traits equate to game-changing potential for an up-and-coming middle blocker.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden is poised to be a major breakout player for Millard West this fall. She is only just beginning to harness her potential on the prep side, but Thaden’s work with Nebraska Elite has proven that she’s ready to do more. Plenty of new faces will help pace the Wildcat offense this year. Thaden is one of those.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden’s skillset makes her an ideal fit for the M1 position. She can stretch out the offense with some effective slide attacks in two-hitter rotations. Moreover, Thaden is not afraid to dish out clutch serves and digs when her number is called in Rotation 6. 15 Phoenix is set for future success at this position.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden’s ascent on the 2026 leaderboards has been a major storyline lately, and she’s only just getting started. Millard West will likely find ways to get this rising sophomore involved in the offense after a breakout 15s campaign with Nebraska Elite. Stock risers abound in this position group, and Thaden is one of the major leaders among the 2026s.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationAustin Kingsley | Prep Dig Scout
Thaden is another Nebraska Elite middle blocker that we’ll have our eye on after a successful run of qualifiers. This agile athlete is quick to close the 15 Phoenix block and can hang in the air well to make those last-second adjustments with her hands. Look for 15 Phoenix to keep developing with these trendsetting 2026s populating the entire frontcourt.
Access all of Prep Dig
Subscribe to read about this player
Read EvaluationPlayer Claimed
News
Related Players
View other players from the same high school.
