Please welcome Miss Smith officially to the State Rankings.  She is currently ranked as the 69^th best overall prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings.  She plays for Castro Valley High School and also for the NorCal Volleyball club.  This high school season she has been a double-digit point scorer just waiting to happen.  What makes her stand out is how normally in club she is used as an opposite due to her blocking ability and sheer size against the best attackers for the opposition, but has been starring on the left side for her high school squad.  This kind of versatility and athleticism shows that she is ready for a much more.  Normally someone this tall does not put a lot of effort into driving hard into the ground, but Tessa uses punishing steps in order to get as high as she can with her vertical, which leads to some jaw-dropping bombs from her high-powered attack.  There are many who have figured out how to slow her down on the pins.  She is even playing back row defense out of middle back and swinging hard from the pipe route.  Please help us congratulate her on being named one of the top players in our State Rankings. 

Tessa Smith Tessa Smith 6'3" | RS Castro Valley | 2026 State CA – The Primary Scorer

Tessa Smith Tessa Smith 6'3" | RS Castro Valley | 2026 State CA , a 6’3” right-side and outside hitter from Castro Valley High School, is dominating offensively with a blend of height, control, and rhythm. The Class of 2026 standout has recorded 423 kills on 970 attempts, averaging 5.7 kills per set with a 43.6% success rate. That level of volume and efficiency speaks to her ability to shoulder a heavy offensive load while still maintaining precision. Smith’s ability to attack from both pins, mix tempo, and stay composed in long rallies makes her a constant mismatch for opposing blockers.

Smith’s presence on the court extends beyond her swing. Her size allows her to be a strong blocking presence, while her movement and awareness create scoring options in both transition and out-of-system play. For college coaches, she will be playing for NorCal 17-1 Black.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247