Volleyball -- Breaking down the Class of 2026

This past volleyball season was headlined by the Alpharetta Raiderswho completed a perfect 36-0 season and won a second-straight state title. The team dropped just six sets all season and finished ranked No. 6 in the final National MaxPreps Rankings. Additionally, Georgia Tech-commit Abigail Li was named Gatorade Player of the Yearmarking the first time in school history that an Alpharetta player won the award. The Raiders will have more talent returning in 2025specifically with Audrey Simpsonwho is one of the top Class of 2026 prospects in the state heading into next season.

The highest-rated prospect heading into next year is Marietta outside hitter Ryan Sadler. The Blue Devils standout grew to 6-foot this last season and has recently committed to Kansas to play at the next level. She is listed as a four-star prospect and competes on the the 18-1s Marc A5 Club team. Norcross was one of the only teams to win a set against Alpharetta last season and the Blue Devils had one of their best-ever seasons. A reason for this success was Sofia Guerrero-Wilsona Cincinnati-commit that will be headlining for Norcross next season.

Bufords outside-hitter Clara Briley is also committed to Cincinnati at the next level and they are two of the top-rated prospects in the state. Defensively, Blessed Trinitys Ruby McDermott is committed to Virginia and is one of the top-rated liberos in the Class of 2026.

Below are the top prospects of the Class of 2026 heading into this offseason.

OH Ryan Sadler, Marietta (Kansas)

MB/OPP Sofia Guerrero-Wilson, Norcross (Cincinnati)

MB Gracison Saylors, Calhoun (Kentucky)

OH Clara Briley, Buford (Cincinnati)

MB Audrey Simpson, Alpharetta (Uncommitted)

DS/L Gabrielle Emch, Pace Academy (Colgate)

OH/RS Morgan Sanders, Buford (Brown)

OH Simone Searles, Walton (Duquesne)

MB Riley Bethea, Union Grove (Georgia Tech)

S Mackinley Parrott, Sequoyah (Uncommitted)

S Olivia Siskin, Pace Academy (Virginia)

DS/L Ruby McDermott, Blessed Trinity (Virginia)

L Kiki Miranda, A5 (Uncommitted)

S LK LaMonica, Alpharetta (Uncommitted)

DS/L Karien Miranda, Northgate (Uncommitted)

S Jahan Lalli, Pope (Uncommitted)

DS/L Adeline Wieler, West Forsyth (Charleston Southern)

OH Avery Russell, Blessed Trinity (Uncommitted)