Varsity Watchlist: 15 Early-Season Names to Know

1. Ireland Real | 2027 | OH | Santa Margarita Catholic | PPV: 99.1 | Texas Commit

Ireland Real enters her senior season as one of the most accomplished players on this year's Varsity Watchlist. She spent nearly the entire recruiting cycle as our highest-rated U.S. prospect, and it's easy to see why. At roughly 6'4", Real combines size with six-rotation ability and can attack from anywhere on the court. Real's résumé already includes 2025 MaxPreps All-American, CIF Southern Section Division 2 Player of the Year, Trinity League First Team and Trinity League Co-MVP honors. She has also represented Team USA twice at the U19 level, including the 2026 NORCECA U19 Continental Championship. Her recruiting process drew significant attention from programs including Stanford, Wisconsin and Texas, with the Longhorns ultimately landing the standout OH. Beyond the physical tools, Real brings the competitiveness, energy and team-first mentality that made her such a highly regarded prospect throughout the cycle. Now, with her senior season underway and Texas ahead, we're watching to see how she puts the finishing touches on an already outstanding high school career.

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2. Cala Haffner | 2028 | Lib/DS | Carroll High School | PPV: 99.2 | Texas Commit

Cala Haffner follows Ireland Real on the Varsity Watchlist, giving us two Texas commits back-to-back to open the list. The 2028 libero has already established herself as one of the most accomplished defensive players in the country, earning 2025 IHSVCA First Team All-State, AVCA All-Region, MaxPreps Second Team All-American and MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors while helping Carroll High School capture a 4A state championship. Haffner has also been a USAV NTDP attendee throughout her development and has earned a UA Next invite and U19 National Team experience. Her résumé is impressive, but her reputation among elite attackers may be even more telling. As one evaluator put it, Haffner was the only 2028 in the group and the highest-rated libero on the list, with the kind of confidence and defensive presence that makes top attackers actively want to test her. A 99.2 PPV puts Haffner right at the top of our evaluation, and with her recruitment ultimately leading to Texas, there's plenty of reason to watch what she does during the high school season. Two Texas commits, two completely different positions, and two of the biggest names to watch as the season gets underway.

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3. Taylor Harrington | 2027 | MB | Wakefield High School | PPV: 99.0 | Penn State Commit

Taylor Harrington enters her senior season as one of the highest-rated middles in the country. The 6'3" middle has built significant national-team experience, including USAV NTDP spring and summer programs, a UA Next appearance and a spot on the 2024 JVA Girls All-National Team. Harrington's development over the past year has been particularly noticeable. Her long, athletic frame allows her to elevate while still moving exceptionally well, giving her the ability to attack from multiple spots and cover ground along the net. That combination of agility and length makes her a difficult matchup offensively and gives her plenty of range as a blocker. Now playing her high school volleyball at Wakefield after completing her last club season with Paramount Volleyball Club, Harrington heads into the season with a 99.0 PPV and a commitment to Penn State. Her continued development in strength and verticality could make an already high-level prospect even more dangerous at the next level.

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4. Josalyn Samuels | 2028 | S | Harrisburg High School | PPV: 98.9 | Nebraska Commit

Josalyn Samuels has built one of the most impressive résumés in the 2028 class. The 6'2" setter is a three-time state champion, winning titles in eighth grade, as a freshman and as a sophomore, while also holding Harrisburg's records for career assists, single-game assists and season assists. Her national résumé is equally impressive. Samuels has been an eight-time USAV NTDP attendee, earned a spot on the USA Volleyball U19 National Team roster, and has been an All-American at the club level in three different age groups. She has also attended UA NEXT and earned South Dakota AA All-State and All-Tournament Team honors. Samuels' game doesn't rely on theatrics. She's been described as steady, confident and reliable, with a long frame, strong court awareness and an ability to connect with attackers consistently. She reads the game well, responds quickly to coaching and has proven she can thrive in different roles, whether learning from veteran teammates or stepping into a leadership role herself. That consistency has made her one of the premier setters in the country, and Nebraska ultimately won the recruiting battle for her. With a 98.9 PPV, Samuels enters the high school season as one of the biggest names on our Varsity Watchlist and one of the most accomplished setters in the 2028 class.

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5. Tessa Larkin | 2027 | OH | Xavier College Prep | PPV: 98.9 | Stanford Commit

Tessa Larkin enters her senior season as one of the most accomplished players in the 2027 class, and her résumé is about as deep as it gets. The 6A state champion has been a dominant force for Xavier College Prep, earning MaxPreps All-America and Sophomore All-America honors, Arizona 6A Central Region Offensive Player of the Year, Arizona 6A All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year and multiple All-Arizona selections. She was also a PrepVolleyball 2027 Player of the Year finalist and a member of the AVCA All-Region Team. Larkin's club résumé is just as impressive. With AZ Storm Elite, she helped her teams to back-to-back GJNC 15 Open and 14 Open runner-up finishes, serving as captain both years and earning All-Tournament Team recognition along the way. She has also collected All-Tournament honors at the Lone Star Classic, Sunshine Classic and Triple Crown. What has made Larkin so difficult to overlook is the consistency. Evaluators have described her as one of the most reliable attackers in the 2027 class, producing at a high level tournament after tournament. She's also known for her intensity, focus and desire to have the ball when the match is on the line. Now headed to Stanford, Larkin brings a proven track record of winning, big-match production and a mentality built for pressure. Her 98.9 PPV puts her among the elite of the 2027 class, and this final high school season gives her one more chance to show exactly why she has been one of the country's most dependable OHs.

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6. Olivia Henry | 2027 | OH | IMG Academy | PPV: 98.5 | Penn State Commit

Olivia Henry brings one of the most intriguing physical profiles on this year's Varsity Watchlist. The 6'4" outside hitter spent last season at IMG Academy and has already gained significant national experience, including USAV NTDP, AVCA Phenom recognition, U19 Team USA experience and All-Tournament Team honors at the USAV All-Star Championships. At the net, Henry is already an insanely high-level hitter. Her size, reach and ability to generate offense make her a difficult matchup, and her 126" approach touch only adds to the physical tools behind that attacking ability. While there are still areas of her all-around game to develop, particularly in the back row, that should not overshadow how advanced she already is as an offensive weapon. Evaluators have continued to point to Henry's enormous ceiling and the flashes of truly exceptional play she's capable of producing. She has also shown that when she gets focused work and coaching, she can make meaningful strides in her development. Now committed to Penn State, Henry enters her senior season with a 98.5 PPV and one of the highest ceilings in the 2027 class. The back-row development will be an important piece of her continued progression, but the offensive ability is already at an elite level.

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7. Sophee Peterson | 2027 | S | Byron Nelson High School | PPV: 98.5 | Texas A&M Commit

Sophee Peterson enters her senior season as one of the most accomplished setters in the country. The 5'11" setter has already won a 6A State Championship and was named District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year before putting together an extraordinary sophomore campaign. Peterson earned MaxPreps Sophomore National Player of the Year, MaxPreps All-America First Team, AVCA All-American and JVA Girls All-National Team honors, along with multiple MaxPreps All-American selections. Her national résumé also includes USAV NTDP experience, while her club career with TAV has consistently put her in the middle of championship-level competition. That environment has helped Peterson develop into a setter who understands how to run an offense, manage high-level attackers and perform when the stakes are at their highest. What stands out most is the consistency of her game. Peterson has been described as an intelligent, fundamentally sound leader and a true winner, with the understanding of what it takes to succeed in a demanding volleyball environment. Now she'll take that experience to Texas A&M, staying close to home while joining a program that believes she can become an elite college setter. With a 98.5 PPV, Peterson sits firmly among the top prospects in the 2027 class, making her a major name to watch during her final high school season.

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8. Baylee Wilson | 2029 | OH | Cathedral Catholic | PPV: 97.5

Baylee Wilson may be one of the youngest players on this Varsity Watchlist, but her résumé and physical profile already look much further along. The 6'3" outside hitter has put together a standout run across both indoor and beach volleyball, earning Red Rock Rave MVP and championship honors, a Windy City Chicago championship and AVP Big South Atlanta success. She was also part of a USA Volleyball gold-medal World Championship team in Serbia in beach volleyball. Wilson has continued to collect recognition indoors as well, earning UA NEXT MVP, a spot on the 2025 Vollapalooza All-Tournament Team and multiple NTDP Indoor and Beach experiences. What makes Wilson especially exciting is the combination of her physical tools and all-around game. She's already posted a 122" approach touch, while her passing ability gives her the potential to make an impact in every rotation. Her beach background also shows up in her court coverage, ball control and ability to attack from different situations. And we're comfortable saying this one deserves a little extra attention: Wilson was a player we continued discussing after our initial evaluation and felt deserved to be even higher. A 97.5 PPV puts her firmly among the elite young players we're watching, and her trajectory makes her one of the most exciting names in the 2029 class.

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9. Brynn Stephens | 2027 | OH | Walnut Grove High School | PPV: 97.3 | SMU Commit

Brynn Stephens enters her senior season with one of the deepest résumés in the 2027 class. The 6'3" outside hitter has earned U19 National Team experience, 10 NTDP appearances, four JVA All-National Team selections and three PrepVolleyball First Team All-American honors. Her club résumé is just as impressive, with four Triple Crown Elite Division championships and All-Tournament Team honors, a 2023 GJNC 14 Open championship and a 2023 USAV All-Star Championship MVP. Stephens has continued to dominate at the high school level as well, earning DFW 6A State experience and District 5 Newcomer of the Year honors. Her development took another step when she moved away from setting and was able to focus fully on attacking, allowing her offensive game to really take off. That's where Stephens' game stands out. She's a powerful outside with a cannon of an arm, but she's not a one-note attacker. She can change speeds, use different shots and plays with the confidence and personality of someone who wants the ball in big moments. Now committed to SMU, Stephens will stay close to home for the next chapter. With a 97.3 PPV, she's one of the most proven 2027 hitters on our Varsity Watchlist and brings the combination of experience, athleticism and firepower that could translate immediately to the next level.

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10. Peyton Smith | 2029 | OH | Duncanville High School | PPV: 97.1

Peyton Smith is one of the biggest 2029 names on our Varsity Watchlist, and her résumé already looks like that of a much more established prospect. The Duncanville High School outside hitter has earned NTDP experience, MaxPreps First Team Freshman All-American honors, a 2026 Triple Crown All-Tournament Team selection, a UA NEXT appearance and U17 National Team experience. Playing her club volleyball with MadFrog, Smith has continued to establish herself against high-level competition. Her game is built around elite athleticism, a fast arm and serious terminal ability, with her attacking immediately standing out when she steps on the court. At a 97.1 PPV, Smith is already firmly in the upper tier of the 2029 class. As the high school season gets underway, she's one of the younger players on this list with the ability to make a major impact now while still having plenty of room to take her game even higher.

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11. MC Crutcher | 2029 | OH | Mansfield High School | PPV: 97.1 | Excel

MC Crutcher enters the Varsity Watchlist with a résumé filled with national-level experience and major tournament success. The Mansfield High School outside hitter has represented the USA U17 National Team and attended USAV NTDP three times, while also earning a 2025 USAV GJNC 15 Open National Championship and GJNC All-Tournament Team recognition. Crutcher has been a standout at several major events, winning the 2024 USA All-Star Championships in the 15U division and earning UA NEXT MVP honors in both 2024 and 2025. Her club success has continued to build her reputation as one of the 2029 class's high-level offensive threats. Her attacking ability is a major part of the intrigue. Evaluators have pointed to Crutcher's high-rising attack and aggressive arm swing, with her approach touch already reaching 123". She's coming off a season that saw her stock rise considerably, and she'll enter the upcoming club season with Excel, giving us another opportunity to watch that momentum continue. With a 97.1 PPV, Crutcher is firmly among the names to know in the 2029 class, and her combination of national-team experience, big-event production and attacking ability makes her a player we'll be watching closely this season.

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12. Marissa Jones | 2027 | S | Woodward Academy | PPV: 96.5 | Ohio State Commit

Marissa Jones enters her senior season with one of the most decorated résumés among the setters on this year's Varsity Watchlist. The 6'1" setter has been part of the USAV National Team Development Program since 2023, earned U19 National Team experience and was named a UA NEXT MVP in 2024. She's also a four-time AAU Nationals All-American in the Open Division, including an MVP, along with JVA All-National Team and AVCA Phenom recognition. Jones has been just as productive at the high school level, earning 6A District 3 Regional Player of the Year honors and USAV Nationals All-Tournament Team recognition. What separates Jones is her willingness to make an impact beyond simply distributing the ball. She's an athletic setter who can attack, challenge defenses and make plays at the net, with her top physical testing scores all landing in the 10 range. That athleticism gives her another layer as an offensive threat and makes her difficult to defend when she chooses to attack herself. With a 96.5 PPV, Jones heads into her final high school season as an accomplished setter with a résumé full of national-level experience. The next step is continuing to sharpen her command of an offense and develop into the kind of floor general Ohio State can build around.

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13. Marlee Steiner | 2027 | MB | Lindbergh High School | PPV: 96.3 | Missouri Commit

Marlee Steiner is entering her senior season as one of the most physically imposing middles on the Varsity Watchlist. The 6'4" Lindbergh High School standout already owns a 128" approach touch and 120" block touch, numbers that immediately separate her at the net. Steiner has also earned USAV NTDP experience and built her club résumé with High Performance, where her play in the Open Division continued to draw more and more attention. As last summer went on, the number of college programs watching her court kept growing, and her ability to perform consistently against high-level competition made it clear why. Her combination of length, athleticism and improving all-around play has made her a rising name in the middle. There is still room for her to add strength as she moves to the collegiate level, but the physical foundation is already there. Missouri ultimately landed the in-state standout, giving the Tigers a 2027 middle with an impressive ceiling. With a 96.3 PPV, Steiner is one of the players we're watching closely as she closes out her high school career.

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14. Mckenna McIntosh | 2027 | OH/OPP | Sierra Canyon  | PPV: 96.2 | USC Commit

Mckenna McIntosh enters her senior season as one of the most complete pins in the 2027 class. The 6'1" OH/OPP has already built a résumé that includes CIF Southern Section First Team, 2025 Durango Classic All-Tournament Team, U19 National Team Pan American experience, MaxPreps Freshman All-American, USAV NTDP, D1 Sac-Joaquin Offensive Player of the Year and PrepVolleyball 15U First Team All-American honors. McIntosh has also consistently performed on major stages, earning Triple Crown NIT Elite 16 All-Tournament Team recognition and helping establish herself as one of the more reliable players in the class. She reached the 500th career high school kill milestone while still early in her high school career, another indication of the production she's provided over multiple seasons. At 125" approach touch and 121" block touch, McIntosh has the physical tools to go with an especially strong all-around game. She's been described as an excellent passer in the back row who remains highly efficient as an attacker, even against some of the best competition in the country. Her consistency is perhaps the biggest selling point, she has repeatedly shown an ability to deliver from match to match without needing to be the loudest name on the court. After her last club season with SC Rockstar, McIntosh now heads into her final high school season as a USC commit. With a 96.2 PPV, she is one of the players on this list who may not always get the loudest headlines, but whose level of play is extremely difficult to ignore once you watch her closely.

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15. Carsyn Comer | 2027 | MB/OPP | Westfield High School | PPV: 96.2 | Louisville Commit

Carsyn Comer rounds out our Varsity Watchlist with a combination of physicality, athleticism and work ethic that has continued to make her one of the more interesting middles in the 2027 class. The 6'3" MB/OPP has already earned 2023 AAU All-American, 2024 JVA All-National Team and NTDP U17 recognition, along with two UA NEXT Camp appearances and a spot on the IndyStar Freshman Standout Team. Comer's physical numbers back up what she brings to the court, with a 123" approach touch and 116" block touch. But her athletic ability isn't the only reason she's on this list. She's built a reputation as a fundamentally sound player who brings a physical presence to the middle and doesn't shy away from the work required to keep improving. Her development has included competing up at the 18s level, which may have meant she didn't always receive the same attention as other players in her class. She made the most of her opportunity at the Louisville Select Camp, where her performance helped reinforce what evaluators had already seen from her in NTDP settings. Now committed to Louisville, Comer enters her final high school season with a 96.2 PPV. Her combination of size, physicality and relentless approach to training gives her a strong foundation for the next level, and she is a player we expect to continue getting better as she gets stronger and gains more experience.