The high
school volleyball talent in the Class of 2026 is loaded with talented players, state champions and future college stars.
MaxPreps is highlighting some of that talent by breaking down the top
10 players at each position in the senior class. Today we put the focus on setters, true quarterbacks for their team that make the offense hum.
Earlier this week, we highlighted the
top hitters and
middles in the senior class and will look at liberos next. Next week we identify the best player and team in each state as well as release the Preseason MaxPreps All-America
Team. The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 will be unveiled Aug. 19.
Sophie Dostic, Plant (Tampa, Fla.)6-1 | LSU
One of the best from the Sunshine State posted 780 assists (10.4 per set) as the Panthers went 22-2 and finished as the Class 7A runner-up.
5-11 | XavierAn Indianapolis Star Super Team selection, she fed the Roncalli's two big hitters
with 937 assists (9.6 per set). She only had nine ball-handling errors
in 2,041 attempts as the state champions went 35-0.
5-11 | Texas
She is starting the season with USA Volleyball competing at the FIVB World Championship in Indonesia. Last year, she led the Crusaders to a 22-0 season and Class 4A title with 578 assists, 125 digs, 77 kills, 37 aces and 37 blocks.
5-8 | Pittsburgh
A back injury in 2024 sapped some of her prep season but Hoppe is back and looking to lead the Rams to another WPIAL title after winning in 2022. She is fresh off a silver-medal performance with USA Volleyball's U19 team in Croatia.
Jahan Lalli, Pope (Marietta, Ga.)5-8 | Rhode IslandThe
Greyhounds went 36-5 and won the Class AAAAA title as Lalli tossed up
1,111 assists (9.4 per set). She added 248 digs, 96 kills and 51 aces.
In the championship match, she had 43 assists with a high of 62 in a
five-set match early in the season.
Lexi Shondell, McCutcheon (Lafayette, Ind.)
5-8 | Appalachian State
Tossed up 750 assists for the Mavericks and is approaching 2,000 career
assists heading into her final season. She added 181 digs, 100 kills and
53 blocks.
6-0 | Louisville
Produced 897
assists along with 405 kills. Approaching 3,500 assists for her career.
Cougars went 31-13 and reached the Conference 5A Division 1 state
semifinal.
Trinity Thompson, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)5-9 | Pittsburgh
Another future Panther along with Hoppe, Thompson has put up insane numbers for her career. She posted 1,216 assists (3,141 for career) last year with 225 digs as the Gaels won the Class 5A title.
6-1 | Penn State
She is approaching 1,500 career kills but also tossed up 791 assists last year along with her 282 kills as the Wildcats went 28-17. Five Walnut Grove hitters had more than 100 kills.
Alayna Vaeth, Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)
5-9 | Uncommitted
In
leading the Saints to a Class 5A state title and 34-6 record, Vaeth dished up 1,026
assists with five hitters tallying more than 100 kills. She should
surpass 2,000 career assists this year.
