With the high school volleyball season just around the corner, Tallahassee Reports has picked five teams that we think could have a successful season based on their returning players and the success they had during the 2025-2026 season. This article does not factor in any incoming freshmen. Player selections are based on returning athletes, with statistics and roster information sourced from MaxPreps.
Chiles
After a successful state title run during the 2025-2026 season, the Timberwolves hope to replicate that success with a new squad in 2026. With a lot of the Timberwolves star power from last year graduating, their are multiple players that have the chance to step up and help Chiles stay at the top spot in Leon County.
Senior Loganne Abernathy returns as the most efficient hitter among the team’s returning offensive players. During the 2025 season, she recorded 153 kills while posting a team-best .370 hitting percentage on 330 attempts. Her ability to consistently produce points while limiting errors makes her a key returning piece heading into the 2026 season.
Junior Sterling Carlile enters the 2026 season as one of the top returning offensive weapons after ranking second among returning hitters in kill %. As a freshman, Carlile recorded 209 kills across 97 sets, averaging 2.2 kills per set while taking 601 attempts. With another year of experience, Carlile will be expected to take on a larger role in the offensive attack.
Chiles setter Riley Boykin is expected to fill in the void of star setters Natalie Gibson and Eva Goodson this year as the Timberwolves look to continue their domination in Leon County. In 2025, Boykin recorded 46 assists while averaging 0.5 assists per set across 92 sets. With the graduation of both setters Boykin will have an opportunity to take on an expanded role and help lead the team’s offensive attack.
Florida High
Florida High enters the 2026 season looking to continue the success of a strong 2025 campaign that saw the Seminoles advance to the regional semifinals of the 3A FHSAA State Championship. Florida High finished the season with a 20-6 record, including a district championship after defeating Marianna in straight sets. With several key contributors returning, the Seminoles will look to build on last season’s postseason run and compete for another district title.
With the graduation of senior Hunter Cook, who led Florida High with 369 kills during the 2025 season, Addison Mayernick returns as the Seminoles’ top returning offensive contributor. Mayernick finished second on the team in kills last season, recording 250 kills across 86 sets while averaging 2.9 kills per set on 713 attack attempts. With Cook no longer leading the attack, Mayernick will be expected to take on an expanded role as one of Florida High’s primary offensive options during the 2026 season.
Riley Maynard returns for her Senior season after contributing 82 kills during Florida High’s 2025 campaign. She appeared in 78 sets and recorded 1.1 kills per set while providing additional depth to the Seminoles’ front-row attack. With the departure of several key offensive contributors, Maynard will have an opportunity to take on a larger role as Florida High looks to replace production from last season.
Woods returns as Florida High’s primary setter after leading the Seminoles’ offense during the 2025 season. She recorded 732 assists across 86 sets, averaging 8.5 assists per set while helping facilitate a balanced offensive attack. Entering her Senior season, Woods will be expected to continue leading the Seminoles’ offense and play a key role in Florida High’s pursuit of another successful postseason run.
Leon
Leon enters the 2026 season after finishing 13-13 overall and placing second in District 3A-2 with a 2-2 district record. While the Lions finished with an even record last season, they return several experienced players who will look to help the program take the next step and contend for a district championship in 2026.
Barnard returns as Leon’s top defensive player after leading all returning Lions with 160 digs during the 2025 season. She averaged 2.4 digs per set across 67 sets, providing a steady presence in the back row. With the graduation of the team’s top two defenders, Barnard will be expected to take on an even larger role in anchoring Leon’s defense during the 2026 season.
Perezluha enters her senior season after contributing 90 kills during the 2025 campaign. She averaged 1.4 kills per set while posting a .175 hitting percentage across 66 sets. With another year of varsity experience, Perezluha is expected to be one of Leon’s primary offensive options as the Lions look to improve on last season’s 13-13 record.
Lincoln
Lincoln enters the 2026 season after finishing 13-10 overall and placing third in District 3A-2 with a 2-4 district record. The Trojans put together a winning season in 2025 and will look to build on that foundation with returning experience as they aim to climb the district standings and make a deeper postseason push in 2026.
With the graduation of senior Mackenzie Poppell, who led Lincoln with 177 kills during the 2025 season, Saja Gilliam returns as the Trojans’ top returning offensive contributor. Gilliam recorded 140 kills across 80 sets, averaging 1.8 kills per set while taking 408 attempts. Entering her senior season, Gilliam will be expected to take on a larger role in Lincoln’s offensive attack as the team looks to replace production from last year’s leading hitter.
Kinsley Platt returns for her Senior season after contributing 96 kills during Lincoln’s 2025 campaign. She appeared in 82 sets and averaged 1.2 kills per set while gaining valuable varsity experience. With several offensive roles opening up, Platt will have an opportunity to increase her impact and provide another option for the Trojans’ attack during the 2026 season.
Maclay
Maclay enters the 2026 season after finishing 13-12 during the 2025 campaign and earning a No. 249 ranking among teams in the state of Florida. The Marauders will look to build on last season’s experience as returning players take on larger roles and help push the program forward during the upcoming season.
Esther Izuegbu enters her sophomore season after making an impact during her freshman campaign. She finished second among all Maclay players with 139 kills across 76 sets, averaging 1.8 kills per set while recording a .191 hitting percentage. With another year of varsity experience, Izuegbu will look to continue developing as one of the Marauders’ key offensive pieces.
Kate Hartmann returns as one of Maclay’s top offensive contributors after finishing third on the team in kills during the 2025 season. She recorded 134 kills across 65 sets, averaging 2.1 kills per set on 407 attack attempts. Entering her senior season, Hartmann will be expected to take on an increased role in the Marauders’ offensive attack and provide a consistent scoring option.
Sarah Izuegbu returns for her junior season after contributing 111 kills during Maclay’s 2025 campaign. She appeared in 75 sets, averaging 1.5 kills per set while gaining valuable varsity experience as a freshman. With another year of development, Izuegbu will look to expand her role in the Marauders’ offensive attack and provide additional depth at the net.
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