With the 2026 Iowa high school volleyball season about the start, it’s time to take a look at the top players in our state.
A thrilling 2025 season saw the top six players in the state make the Des Moines Register’s All-Iowa Elite team. Thirty players earned first-team status in Classes 5A through 1A. Now we turn the page to a new season of outstanding performances.
This list is compiled based on how these individual players performed a season ago and the success they brought to their respective teams.
1. Logan Vogt, Sr., OH, Waukee Northwest
Vogt helped lead Waukee Northwest to a state title last season, with 353 kills at the outside position. She also added 182 digs on the defensive side and had 55 blocks.
Already committed to Iowa State, the 6-foot-1 hitter will look to increase her numbers and bring a third state title to Waukee Northwest.
2. Sophia Austen, Sr., OH, Iowa City West
Another player committed next season to the Cyclones, Austen took a big step last season in her production as she finished the season with 285 kills, 318 digs and 36 blocks.
Austen also had 34 aces to lead the Trojans, with a serve efficiency rate of 88.2%.
3. Malia Rogers, Sr., OH, Waukee
Outside hitters dominate the top of the rankings, and it continues with Rogers, who had 299 kills for Waukee. She played strong defense as well with 242 digs and 29 blocks.
4. Elle Hatlevig, Jr., OH, Norwalk
Just a junior, Hatlevig has committed to Michigan State to join the Spartans. She comes off an impressive 465-kill season, with 35 blocks and 167 digs. She will be a force as a top attacker and a major key in the serve receive game.
5. Edie Miller, Sr., L, Iowa City Liberty
Playing 93 sets last season as a junior for the Bolts, Miller is arguably the best libero in the state. Her 480 digs ranked in the top five in 5A and she added 114 assists.
She played her defensive role well, limiting kills for opposing teams and managing serve reception.
6. Piper Ladwig, Sr., OH, Waukee Northwest
Yet another Iowa State recruit. Ladwig, 6-foot-4 and a right-side hitter for Waukee Northwest, comes in at No. 5.
Ladwig had 278 kills and a hitting efficiency of .422 last season. She also brings a strong presence defensively with 74 blocks last season.
7. Kaylie Klein, Sr., OH/RS, Dowling Catholic
Much of Dowling’s top offensive production graduated. Following a 165-kill season for Klein, she will look to take her game to another level.
8. Ryanne Brubaker, Sr., MB, Grundy Center
With 461 kills and only 76 errors, the 6-foot-8 Brubaker who is committed to Marquette University. She also added 144 blocks.
9. Hailey Wiederin, Jr., OH/RS, Ankeny
The 2028 class is already showing up and Wiederin is another versatile front hitter who is coming off 319 kills, 36 digs and a big 80 blocks. A UNI recruit.
10. Gianna Stanfel, Jr., RS, Dowling Catholic
Already committed to Western Michigan, Stanfel had 107 kills last season, 34 kills and 25 digs.
11. Leah Janulewicz, Sr., DS/L, Waukee Northwest
Listed as a defensive specialist and libero, Janulewicz had 223 kills and 273 digs to go along with 34 blocks and 32 assists.
12. Mazie Sweers, Sr., OH/S, Pleasant Valley
At 6 feet, Sweers is a versatile player with 788 assists and 77 kills.
13. Addie Bollier, Sr., DS/L, Regina Catholic
As a libero, Bollier was the defensive glue for the Regals last season with 794 digs. She added 119 assists.
14. Kyla Ramler, Sr., OH, Western Dubuque
The Illinois State commit is coming off a 358-kill season with a .369 efficiency and also had 64 blocks. She led her Bobcat team in kills last season and now as a senior is expected to do the same.
15. Hattie Galloway, Sr., OH, Iowa City High
Galloway was nearly 35% of the offensive production for Iowa City High last season with 270 of the 787 kills for the Little Hawks. She also had 107 digs and 40 assists, showing her versatility.
16. Gwen Farley, Sr., S, Dallas Center-Grimes
With an incredible junior season totaling 1,020 assists, Farley also had 233 digs and will once again be the focal point of the Mustangs offense.
17. Bailey Simpson, Sr., MB/RS, Clear Creek Amana
Simpson has the most experience for the Clippers and she hopes to bring her offensive abilities to a younger team. With 298 kills last year, she was second on the team. After Averie Lower graduated, Simpson will be the primary offensive weapon.
18. Addie Waldorf, Jr., S, Humboldt
The University of Northern Iowa commit, played in 40 games last season, had 976 assists and 91 kills.
19. Madison Grover, Sr., OH, Indianola
With the ability to play middle and outside, Grover will now take over as the top offensive option for the Indians after the departure of Lauren Olson. Grover had 280 kills last season.
20. Lila Eastvoid, Sr., S, Iowa City West
With 895 assists last year, Eastvoid was the reason three different players had 200-plus kills last season for the Trojans. And with hitters like Austen, Taylor Otte and Cyan Blommer, expect that number to rise.
Preston Zbroszczyk covers prep sports for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Contact him at PSZbroszczyk@registermedia.com
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: All-USA Iowa Top 20 girls volleyball players in 2026
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Preston Zbroszczyk , Iowa City Press-Citizen | USA TODAY Network
