With the graduation of girls volleyball stars like Caydence Doolan and Abigail Eagler, it would be understandable if the collective talent in the LocalNews1.org coverage area fell into a “rebuilding” kind of season.
But after taking stock of what we have returning this fall, it seems like local squads will instead be reloading.
Don’t get us wrong, the loss of a phenom like North Hagerstown’s Doolan — a three-time state champion and 2025 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year — leaves a gaping hole in the star power of our high school ranks. The same can be said for Greencastle-Antrim’s Eagler, who was named the Mid-Penn Colonial Division’s Player of the Year last season following a fine senior campaign for the Blue Devils.
The losses are undeniable, but for every graduated star player in our area, it seems like two or more talented prospects emerge. We’ve counted 17 players from our area pool of seven teams — Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Fairfield, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown and Smithsburg — that we think can make a difference on the court when the season tips off this fall.
Our list is topped by Charlotte Booth, a thrilling sophomore at North Hagerstown who is her team’s top returner in multiple statistical categories, and Kasey Moser, a Chambersburg standout who shines on both offense and defense.
Our “Sneak Peak” summer series, designed to showcase some of the area’s most talented high school athletes, will take a closer look at Booth, Moser, and several others who are projected to dominate the courts.
In the weeks to come we will continue to share “peeks” at the fall season before we eventually transition to full team previews.
Below is a look at our Top 17 girls volleyball players to watch in 2026:
Charlotte Booth, Sophomore, North Hagerstown
With the departure of Caydence Doolan, now at Marquette University after exploding for 478 kills last fall, North Hagerstown will be counting on Booth to fill the biggest of shoes.
A 6-foot-1 outside/middle hitter, Booth is the Hubs’ top returning stat leader in kills (121), blocks (18), and aces (31). She also recorded 26 digs last season.
Booth experienced defeat just one time over the first 20 matches of her high school career, and that winning pedigree could very well pay dividends as North adjusts to life in the post-Doolan era.
Kasey Moser, Senior, Chambersburg
With the versatile and hard-hitting Moser set to return for Chambersburg, the Trojans could very well contend for a spot in the District 3 postseason this fall.
Moser is listed as a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, but the Arcadia recruit can do damage from anywhere on the court. The Commonwealth Division Second Team selection led Chambersburg in kills (206) last season, and is the team’s top returner in digs (274). She also posted 19 aces, 15 blocks, and 14 assists.
Moser has been warming up for the season by competing for the Fusion Volleyball Club.
Tenley Cobb, Sophomore, Smithsburg
Expect a sharp campaign from Cobb, a CMC Small School First Team selection who never really took a break from volleyball following the high school season last fall.
A 5-foot libero, Cobb has been staying active by competing for the Liberty Elite Volleyball Club.
As a freshman last season, Cobb helped guide the Leopards to a 10-7 record and a runner-up finish in 1A West Region II.
Jenna Yoder, Senior, Smithsburg
With the high-energy Yoder attacking the net with aggression, Smithsburg is always a threat to rain down kills on the opposition.
The 5-foot-6 outside hitter was recognized for her efforts with a selection to the CMC Small School First Team.
In the offseason, Yoder plays for the Liberty Elite Volleyball Club.
Jordyn Wagner, Senior, Greencastle-Antrim
Look for Wagner, a Colonial Division Third Team selection last fall, to once again be a brick wall at the net for the Blue Devils.
A 5-foot-11 middle hitter, Wagner led Greencastle with an astounding 72 blocks last season, more than three times as many blocks as the next leader on her team. She is also the Blue Devils’ top returner in kills (145), and can make contributions in the digs department after posting 36 last season.
Zalikah Pabalan, Junior, North Hagerstown
It will be hard for opponents to score with Pabalan, a 5-foot-4 libero/defensive specialist, prowling the court.
A CMC Large School Second Team selection last fall, Pabalan is coming off a sophomore season that saw her lead the Hubs with 288 digs. She added 30 aces and 15 assists.
Pabalan has been keeping her skills sharp by competing for the Metro Volleyball Club.
Hayden Baer, Senior, Greencastle-Antrim
With the graduation of a talented senior class, Greencastle will heavily lean on the play of Baer to provide a spark.
Baer is the Blue Devils’ top returner in digs (42), who also recorded 85 kills, 11 aces, and 21 blocks last fall. She showcased an ability to shine on a big stage in 2025, when she held serve for 15-straight points to lead Greencastle to victory over Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA postseason.
Baer stays busy in the offseason by competing for the Fusion Volleyball Club.
Aleah Merrbaugh, Sophomore, North Hagerstown
Defense should be a strength for the Hubs this season and beyond with the return of Merrbaugh.
A 5-foot-1 defensive specialist who doubles as a member of the Liberty Elite Volleyball Club, Merrbaugh is North Hagerstown’s No. 2 returner in digs (128). She also recorded 21 aces and seven assists last fall.
Tenley Yost, Junior, South Hagerstown
The Rebels have to like their chances when the 6-foot-1 Yost is patrolling the net.
A middle hitter who brings a competitive energy to the court, Yost is always a threat to roll up kills and blocks.
Izzy Spinelli, Junior, Smithsburg
Look for Spinelli, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter/middle blocker, to serve as a potent complement to teammate Jenna Yoder on the attack.
Spinelli, who also competes for the Liberty Elite Volleyball Club, is coming off a season where she was honored as a CMC Small School Second Team selection.
Sarah Aldrich, Junior, Waynesboro
Aldrich’s primary position is listed as middle hitter/middle blocker, but the 5-foot-8 Maidens standout has been known to play all over the court at outside/right side hitter and defensive specialist.
The versatile Aldrich would love to take her game up another level from last season, which saw her earn All-Colonial Second Team honors.
Lauren Wagner, Junior, Smithsburg
Wagner, a 5-foot-3 defensive specialist, possesses excellent ball control and can rack up aces in a hurry.
Emery Smith, Junior, Smithsburg
Whether it’s getting low to scoop up a dig, floating up a ball for her teammates to attack, or making a play at the net, Smith can do a little bit of everything for the Leopards.
Listed as a 5-foot-9 setter/outside hitter, Smith also competes for the Rogue 1 Elite club team.
Reilly Foley, Senior, South Hagerstown
Look for Foley to once again captain South Hagerstown after standing out as a defensive specialist last fall.
The 5-foot-3 Foley also competes for the ClubHub City Volleyball Club.
Carson Lehman, Junior, South Hagerstown
With the return of Lehman, a 5-foot-9 middle hitter, South Hagerstown has more than a puncher’s chance to impove upon last year’s five-win campaign.
Lehman has stayed active in the offseason by competing for the Liberty Elite Volleyball Club.
Maddie Nystrom, Junior, Waynesboro
A capable outside hitter who excels in back-row defense, Nystrom will be looking to once again make an impact on the court.
She was named to the Colonial Division Third Team last season.
Olivia Shearer, Senior, Chambersburg
The Trojans will be counting on Shearer — a 6-foot-2 opposite/right/outside hitter hungry to continue her career at the next level — to take over the net this fall.
Shearer, also a member of the Fusion Volleyball Club, is Chambersburg’s top returner in blocks (17) and also brings back 119 kills, 40 digs, and seven assists.
