We continue our season preview by identifying the top team in each state.
Last season: 40-2, Class 7A state champion
Kansas State commit Alice Wood leads a squad looking for a fifth-straight crown in the state’s highest classification. Camille Miller and Emmy Beech give McGill-Toolen strength at pin and in the middle.
Alaska — Dimond (Anchorage)
Last season: 39-14, Class 4A state champion
The Lynx pulled off a victory in a state title super set and return most of the pieces of that championship squad, including Anayah Sila, Ailafo Fautanu and Puao Asailevai. It was the first state title for Dimond in three seasons.
Arizona — Xavier College Prep (Phoenix)
Last season: 35-2, Class 6A state champion
Stanford commit Tessa Larkin is one of the best hitters in the game and returns for a senior season looking for the state title three-peat. Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC appearances will test them nationally ahead of the Arizona postseason.
Arkansas — Farmington
Last season: 27-6-1, Class 5A state runner-up
North Alabama commit Emmerson Rehkopf is back after 591 kills last season along with middles Laney Brisiel and Sadie Morrison. Junior Emma Gore rounds out a hitting crew that will be set by Kolie Beach.
California — Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
Last season: 41-4
Every major piece is back for the Trailblazers as they expect prominence in the national rankings in quest of a state title that eluded them last season.
Colorado — Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Last season: 26-3, Class 5A state champion
The Eagles looks for a fifth-straight banner under new head coach Trisha Kroll, who took over after the passing of Jayne McHugh. Back for Valor is Pepperdine commit Piper McFadden, Harper Scott, Kora Fisher, Camble Booth and Kinsley Bernum.
Connecticut — Greenwich
Last season: 25-1, Class LL state champion
Delaware — Tower Hill (Wilmington)
Last season: 18-1, Division I state champion
Junior hitter Cadence Davis and seniors Sydney Fisher and Madison Squire return along with senior setter Parker Lewicki as the Hillers looks for a fourth title in six seasons.
District of Columbia — Georgetown Day (Washington)
Last season: 22-1, DCSAA state champion
The Mighty Hoppers have last year’s leading hitters — Alexa Telly and Zora Dimbo — back along with setter Charlie Haft as they look for a fifth-straight title.
Florida — Orangewood Christian (Maitland)
Last season: 26-5, Class 2A state semifinalist
Texas A&M commit Isabel Incinelli joins a lineup featuring MaxPreps Freshman All-American Ellie Enger. Orangewood will test itself at with trips to Durango and the Nike TOC .
Georgia — Lovett (Atlanta)
Last season: 42-3, Private School state champion
Hawaii — ‘Iolani (Honolulu)
Last season: 25-7, Division 1 state champion
Taimane Ainu’u is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2028 and she returns along with Poema Kalama-Kingma and USC beach commit Georgie Lee. Replacing setter Bailey Nakanelua, the Most Outstanding Player in last year’s state tournament, is a must.
Idaho — Skyview (Nampa)
Last season: 30-6, Class 6A state champion
MaxPreps All-American Bellamie Beus will be hard to replace but the Hawks have sophomore Rachel Bower (300 kills) and senior Jill Deatherage (240 kills) waiting in the wings. Senior libero and Louisville commit Lizzy Bower anchors the defense and senior Lyla McClure is back at setter.
Illinois — Marist (Chicago)
Last season: 36-5, Class 4A state champion
The quest for a three-peat begins with Michigan commit Maggie Kurpeikis and sophomore setter Haven Enselman, who earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America honors last season.
Indiana — Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Last season: 37-0, Class 4A state champion
Iowa — Northwest (Waukee)
Last season: 38-1
Setter Logan Vogt graduated but sister and Iowa State commit Avery Vogt is the leading returning hitter after 353 kills last year. She is joined by seniors Piper Ladwig and Leah Janulewicz along with junior Avery Cordes as the Wolves look for another Class 5A title
Kansas — Blue Valley West (Stilwell)
Last season: 35-4, Class 6A state champion
Peyton and Jensen Kubik combined for more than 750 kills while another sister duo Aliyah Harris (245 kills) and Nyah Harris (536 assists) give the Jaguars a legit shot at the repeat.
Kentucky — Assumption (Louisville)
Last season: 40-4, State champion
Brooke Codey, Julia Lee, Taylor Price and Carla Hooe are enough to offset key losses for the 25-time state champion. Assumption is a perennial national contender and 2026 is no different.
Louisiana — St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans)
Last season: 40-6, Division 1 state runner-up
Maine — Gorham
Last season: 14-3, Class A state champion
Rhode Island commit Liana Edwards returns for her senior season after 337 assists and 171 digs for the Rams. Abigail Stevens and Luna Button return as hitters as Gorham chases its fourth straight banner.
Maryland — Annapolis Area Christian (Severn)
Last season: 23-2, IAAM A state champion
The Eagles are youthful with their top three hitters Scarlett Netherton, Avery Lettinga and Sophia Groshek all being sophomores. Senior setter Dakota Pentorn is the veteran of the squad. Coach Jennifer Groshek’s goals are lofty, eyeing a national ranking and a trip to Durango will show their progress.
Massachusetts — Oliver Ames (North Easton)
Last season: 27-0, Division 2 state title
The Tigers return every hitter from last season’s title squad, including Chelsea Wagner (355 kills) and Taylor Donohue (295 kills). Also back is Lyla McDonough (619 assists) and libero Molly Milliken (277 digs)
Michigan — Mercy (Farmington Hills)
Last season: 43-5-2, Division 1 state champion
The Marlins look to run it back for a fourth title for coach Loretta Vogel behind Penn State commit Kate Kalczynski, who dropped 529 kills in 2025. Sophomore Kaelyn Easton guides an offense with plenty of firepower after dishing up 1,123 assists last season.
Minnesota — Lakeview South (Lakeville)
Last season: 31-2, Class AAAA state champion
Clemson pledge Kaelyn Bjorklund is back after tossing up 967 assists and Mississippi State commit Elleora Utecht returns after 317 kills.
Mississippi — Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
Last season: 30-15, MAIS Division champion
Southern Miss commit Emerson Dorr just topped 1,000 kills to start the season and she leads a group chasing the three-peat that includes Gabi Strickland, Ella Eatherly and Macy Gladden along with Class of 2031 pin Ayanna Dampier, the youngest daughter of former NBA player Erick Dampier.
Missouri — Lee’s Summit North (Lee’s Summit)
Last season: 25-6, Class 5 state runner-up
The injury to Lafayette’s Shaye Witherspoon opens up the race in Class 5 and the Titans could capitalize after falling short in the final. Back are setter Leighton Benne, junior defensive specialist Bralynn Brown, sophomore middle Talia Francis and junior pin Kenzie Huhman.
Montana — Gallatin (Bozeman)
Last season: 39-1, Class AA state champion
Kentucky commit Kennedy Varda is back after posting 280 kills, 53 aces 33 solo blocks as the Raptors won a second straight. Also back are Miya Chase, MArkie Wiseman and Brooklyn Binford.
Nebraska — Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion)
Last season: 31-9, Class A state champion
Lyric Judson leads a program with a rich history of success. But nationally-ranked Norris and Elkhorn North and others are ready to grab the mantle.
Nevada — Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Last season: 33-8, Class 5A state champion
The graduation losses of MaxPreps All-Americans Ayanna Watson and Trinity Thompson are significant but coach Gregg Nunley looks for Boyanna Pesic, Caira Tasi, Chloe Lopez and Aliana Breitling to fill the void.
New Hampshire — Pinkerton (Derry)
Last season: 22-1, Division 1 state champion
The Astros lost a bit to graduation after the school’s first title. But all-state nod Taylor Nastasi is back along with sophomore Elia Piascik.
New Jersey — Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township)
Last season: 22-6, Non-Public A state runner-up
The Blue Eagles came up short in the state final but return every top hitter led by Arielle Crump (430 kills). Junior setter Kristen Lee is back after 778 assists and the defense will be led by Emma Fowler.
New Mexico — La Cueva (Albuquerque)
Last season: 24-3, Class 5A state runner-up
New York — Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills)
Last season: 34-9-3
The Spartans return Alex Wemyss (501 kills) and Leah Vaughn (1,013 assists) after reaching the NYSPHSAA Class A semifinal pool play last season.
North Carolina — Lake Norman Charter (Huntersville)
Last season: 30-3, Class 4A state champion
The Knights won their first state title in five sets last season, led by tournament MVP London Stewart. She is back after 314 kills along with Finley Fay (252 kills). Setter Riley Caruso is back after 911 assists as Lake Norman enters the season on a 25-match win streak. Riley Caruso and Danielle Lewis combined for nearly 700 digs.
North Dakota — Sheyenne (West Fargo)
Last season: 24-9, Class AA state champion
Looking to build on a run of three state titles in four seasons, Wichita State commit Byrnlie Richman, libero Baylor Dinger, hitter Peyton Saxlund and Olivia Bratton are all back.
Ohio — Seton (Cincinnati)
Last season: 28-0, Division 1 state champion
Xavier commit Charley Moeddel (315 kills), Cincinnati commit Penelope Reisman (422 assists) and Northern Kentucky pledges Allie MacPherson and Makenna Meibers look to keep the unbeaten streak alive and capture another banner.
Oklahoma — Oklahoma Christian (Edmond)
Last season: 27-11, Class 5A state semifinals
The Saints return Marley Robbins (210 kills) in addition to Kaylin Cook (624 assists). The addition of the state’s top 2028 player and Utah State commit Sloane Rattay after 402 kills at Stillwater could be the boost to grab the state banner.
Oregon — Marist (Eugene)
Last season: 25-1, Class 4A state champion
Lauren Rohman, the Class 4A Player of the Year, returns after 307 assists, 256 kills and 162 digs last season. She’s joined by Kimmy Spurlock (246 kills) and Adriana Lyons-Rivera (231 digs, 149 kills).
Pennsylvania — Peter’s Township (McMurray)
Last season: 17-4, Class 4A state quarterfinalist
Pitt commit Alex Knox is back after leading the team with 365 assists and 222 kills. Joining her is Maddie Carroll (228 kills) and middle Elle Gorman (81 kills and 48 blocks).
Rhode Island — North Kingstown
Last season: 19-1, Division 1 state champion
Kayleigh Garrepy is back after 261 kills and 174 digs while earning state tournament MVP honors last year. She is joined by fellow all-state selection Tayla Schneider at setter and Maggie Scott at middle.
South Carolina — Wando (Mt. Pleasant)
Last season: 34-11, Class AAAAA Division 1 state semifinalist
Leading hitters Bella Spraul (275 kills) and Lily Mahoney (266) are back along with hitters Josie Burcin and Anna Welch. McKenna St. Clair also returns after 1,044 assists as a junior last season.
South Dakota — Harrisburg
Last season: 35-2, Class AA state champion
Losing MaxPreps All-American Gabi Zachariasen is big but Nebraska commit Josalyn Samuels is as good as it gets at the setter position. She has hitters in Bergen Stiff and Julia Masselink to chase a fifth straight title. Class of 2030 outside Brynlee Zachariasen looks to keep the family tradition alive for the Tigers.
Tennessee — Briarcrest Christian (Eads)
Last season: 30-8, Division II Class AA state champions
The Saints grabbed a 12th banner last season led by Camille Northcross (318 kills). She is back for a senior year along with hitters Ashari Jenkins, Kadence Dumas, Nancy Ward and Jasmine Rawlins, all of whom had more than 150 kills. Allison Floyd looks to step in the setter role after the graduation of Sarah O’Connor (1,038 assists).
Texas — Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio)
Last season: 32-4
Juniors Claire Bolten and Sydney Whisenton, who led the Warriors in kills last season, are back. Seniors Breya Dawson and Ester Royal-Priest also are a key part of the offense. Whisenton led the team in assists.
Utah — Corner Canyon (Draper)
Last season: 25-6, Class 6A state champion
Four of the top five hitters are back for the defending champs, including junior middle Maija Mortensen (228 kills, 86 blocks) and Utah commit Nafanua Alofipo (419 assists).
Vermont — Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans)
Last season: 14-3, Division 1 state runner-up
It’s tough to go against Essex after a run of five straight titles but heavy graduation losses opens the door for the Bobwhites. They return all-state picks Marah McGinn and Emma Harrison.
Virginia — Flint Hill (Oakton)
Last season: 15-13-1, VISAA Division 1 state champion
UCLA commit Hunter Ross, Mila Smith, Mandela Masimini are the hitters returning for the Huskies along with setter Ava Zender and libero Delaney Malloy.
Washington — Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)
Last season: 32-3, Class 4A state semifinalist
West Virginia — Cabell Midland (Ona)
Last season: 45-6-1, Class AAAA state semifinals
Wisconsin — Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee)
Last season: 44-4, Division 1 state runner-up
The Dashers had their run of three-straight Division 1 state titles snapped last season. DSHA still finished as runner-up and looks to get back atop the podium behind juniors Teagan Lochler and Harper Wendlick. The program has lost just 10 matches in the past four seasons.
Wyoming — Kelly Walsh (Casper)
Last season: 34-3, Class 4A state champion
