The talent is plentiful this fall for area high school volleyball teams.
Marian, which made it to the Class 3A semi-state semifinal round a season ago, includes star Elle Boser. The high-flying junior hitter boasts Division 1 talent.
Elkhart, which was Northern Indiana Conference runner-up to Penn in 2025, returns NIC MVP Rylee Drummond to lead the way. Senior Drummond has committed to play at Purdue Fort Wayne next year.
Penn, which won Class 4A sectional and regional crowns in 2025, has strong experience back with senior star Anna McCullough leading the Kingsmen this fall.
NorthWood, which lost in the Class 3A semi-state title match in 2025, returns standout senior hitter Ella Branham this fall.
Here are 22 of the top returning prep volleyball players in the Tribune’s coverage area. They are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Teagan Feathers, Bremen
Feathers did it all last season for the Lions, who shared the Indiana Northern State Conference title with John Glenn and finished 24-9. The three-sport athlete, now a senior, had 339 kills, 46 aces, 64 blocks and 253 digs.
Rylee Drummond, Elkhart
Drummond earned NIC MVP honors in 2025 after helping Elkhart go 23-10 and finish second in the NIC at 6-1. The senior had 268 kills, 35 blocks, 63 aces and 202 digs.
Ava Walker, Elkhart
Senior Walker was a defensive dynamo for the Lions in 2025. The two-sport star had 243 digs and 34 aces and was All-NIC honorable mention.
Serenity Rodriguez, Elkhart
Rodriguez earned second-team All-NIC honors in 2025. The senior had 196 kills, 21 blocks, 44 aces and 227 digs.
Jayla Armstrong, Jimtown
Armstrong helped the Jimmies win a Class 2A sectional title in 2025. The senior had 153 kills, 179 digs and 40 aces.
Emma Young, Jimtown
Young was strong as one of the Jimtown setters with 283 assists in 2025. The senior also had 110 digs and 37 aces.
Addison Manering, John Glenn
Manering helped the Falcons tie Bremen for the INSC crown a season ago. The junior setter had 147 kills, 55 aces, 283 digs and 491 assists.
Trinity Stackman, John Glenn
Stackman, a senior, had 241 digs and 28 aces in 2025 for the Falcons. Glenn finished 22-10 a season ago.
Evelyn Shirk, LaPorte
Setter Shirk piled up big numbers for the Slicers in 2025. The senior had 195 kills, 59 aces, 55 blocks, 488 assists and 295 digs.
Elle Boser, Mishawaka Marian
Boser was a first-team All-NIC pick as she led the Knights to sectional and regional titles. The 6-2 Division 1 prospect had 450 kills, 40 aces, 69 blocks and 378 digs.
Jenna VanBruaene, Mishawaka Marian
VanBruaene was outstanding in the back row in 2025 to earn first-team All-NIC honors. The senior had 621 digs for the Knights, who finished at 24-12, to go with 64 aces.
Jalynne Williams, Mishawaka Marian
Williams, a junior, is a new face for the Knights. The honorable mention All-Northern Lakes Conference performer played for Goshen in 2025.
Allie Steele, Northridge
Steele was an All-NLC choice in 2025 in helping the Raiders finish 22-10. The senior had 244 kills and 27 aces.
Myah Miller, Northridge
Miller was an All-NLC performer in 2025. The senior had 238 kills and 30 blocks.
Ella Branham, NorthWood
Branham led the Panthers to the Class 3A semi-state title match in 2025. The senior had 467 kills, 52 aces, 44 blocks and 378 digs to earn All-NLC honors.
Nola Nephew, NorthWood
Nephew was a key in the back row as NorthWood went 21-15 a season ago. The junior had 439 digs and 28 aces.
Anna McCullough, Penn
McCullough helped Penn win Class 4A sectional and regional titles in 2025. The senior had 300 kills, 44 blocks, 21 aces and 202 digs to earn All-NIC honors.
Emily Noto, Penn
Noto was a freshman force for the NIC champion Kingsmen in 2025. She had 236 kills and 44 blocks to earn second-team All-NIC accolades.
Carson Petty, Penn
Petty was a standout setter as Penn finished 24-7 a season ago. The senior had 461 assists, 134 digs and 19 aces to earn All-NIC second-team honors.
Jenna Harwood, South Bend Adams
Harwood was a standout for the Eagles in 2025. The senior was an honorable mention All-NIC pick.
Ma’Nijah Harris, South Bend Riley
Harris had 133 kills a season ago for the Wildcats. The senior also had 194 digs and 49 aces and was All-NIC honorable mention.
Ella Gerard, South Bend Saint Joseph
Gerard earned second-team All-NIC honors in 2025. The senior had 478 digs and 48 aces.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Who are the South Bend area prep volleyball players to watch for in 2026?
Reporting by Scott Davidson, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Davidson, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
