The road to a championship begins long before the first serve of the season. Across the Kansas City metropolitan area, teams have spent months preparing for what promises to be an exciting and highly competitive 2026 girls volleyball season. Cascade Sports recognizes the programs and athletes who have demonstrated excellence through talent, hard work, discipline, teamwork, and commitment to winning. Our preseason rankings highlight the schools and players we believe are positioned to make the biggest impact this year, while also recognizing that every season brings new stars, new challenges, and new opportunities for teams to rise above expectations.
Leading the Cascade Sports Preseason Top 10 Team Rankings are St. Thomas Aquinas, Blue Valley North, Staley, Lee’s Summit West, Park Hill South, Blue Springs South, St. James Academy, Lee’s Summit North, Liberty North, and Olathe Northwest. These programs enter the season with strong traditions, experienced coaching staffs, talented rosters, and championship aspirations. At the same time, teams such as Park Hill, Blue Springs, Liberty, Oak Park, and St. Teresa’s Academy are poised to challenge the established order and make significant moves throughout the season.
The spotlight also shines on some of the area’s top individual athletes. Cascade Sports’ preseason list of players to watch includes Payton Osegueda of Park Hill, Tori Massengill of Lee’s Summit West, Kinley Gillihan of St. Michael the Archangel, Pressli Henson of St. Pius X, Olivia Maciel of Blue Springs, Tatum Massey of Staley, Paisley Hudson and Piper Hudson of Oak Grove, Nylah Rinard of Lee’s Summit North, and Summer Fogel of Belton. These athletes have the potential to lead their teams, influence matches, and become some of the most talked-about players in the region this season.
Within the Kansas City Scholastic League, Lincoln College Prep enters the season as Cascade Sports’ preseason favorite, followed by East High School, Northeast High School, Southeast High School, Central High School, Paseo Academy, University Academy, Hogan Preparatory Academy, Ruskin High School, and Manual Career and Technical Center. These schools continue to demonstrate the importance of opportunity, perseverance, and athletic achievement while representing their communities with pride.
At Cascade Sports, we believe sports coverage is about more than scores and standings. It is about telling stories, recognizing achievement, and providing a platform that celebrates student-athletes and their accomplishments. Cascade Media Group represents the future, powered by digital innovation. The wave is the Internet. Catch the wave. Through our growing digital network, we are committed to highlighting the athletes, coaches, schools, and communities that make Kansas City sports special. We invite readers to follow, share, and help support independent community journalism by scanning the donation QR code. All comments may be sent to whatsupkansascity@gmail.com.
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