2026's Top 10 Girls Long Island High School Players to Watch
1. Haven Mills
Position: Outside Hitter
School: Bay Shore High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 6'2"
Haven Mills has established herself as one of the most dominant girls players on Long Island. At 6'2", Mills is a force offensively, swinging with power while also passing at a high level. She plays with an energy that her teammates feed off of and is a constant threat at the net.
Mills is part of a very talented Bay Shore team alongside Kelsi Kennedy and Shannon Smith, who reached the county finals last season. With that experience returning, Bay Shore will look to take the next step and win the county championship this year.
2. Ava Nitsch
Position: Setter
School: Plainedge High School Class of 2027
Committed to Eastern University
Height: 5'8"
Ava Nitsch is a setter and right side for Plainedge, helping lead the Red Devils to a 5-1 start. Nitsch has a high volleyball IQ and consistently puts her hitters in a position to succeed. She runs a fast-tempo offense and is especially effective when plays break down, making strong decisions and delivering hittable balls out of system.
Nitsch will also see time on the right side this season, adding another dimension to her game. With her ability to contribute in multiple areas, she will be an important piece of Plainedge this season.
3. Kelsie Kennedy
Position: Libero
School: Bay Shore High School Class of 2027
Committed to Saint Anselm
Kelsie Kennedy has been one of the best liberos on Long Island over the past few years and remains a key piece of Bay Shore’s defense. She is a reliable passer who reads the court well and consistently makes plays in the back row. Kennedy’s experience and defensive ability will be important for a talented Bay Shore team looking to make a deep playoff run.
4. Gisele Trzaskalski
Position: Setter/Outside
School: Connetquot High School Class of 2028
Uncommitted
Height: 5'7"
Gisele Trzaskalski enters her junior season in a new role for Connetquot after dominating as a outside hitter last season. Now moving to setter, Trzaskalski will play the position she plays at the club level, bringing her athleticism and explosiveness to the Thunderbirds’ offense. She runs a quick-tempo offense and is especially effective setting out of system.
With several key players gone from last season, Trzaskalski will be a focal point for Connetquot this year. She’ll also have her younger sister, sophomore Nadia Trzaskalski, joining her in the starting lineup on the outside.
5. Emily Dantona
Position: Middle Blocker
School: Half Hollow Hills West High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 6'
Emily Dantona is one of the most dominant middles on Long Island. Dantona is a major offensive threat in the middle and will also see time on the right side this season, giving Half Hollow Hills West another dangerous option at the net. Her ability to attack from multiple spots makes her a difficult matchup for opposing defenses and a player who can take over a match offensively.
6. Bridget Hansen
Position: Opposite/Setter
School: Sachem High School East Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 6'1"
Bridgett Hansen is a key piece of a very good Sachem East team that has gotten off to a 6-0 start. Hansen does a little bit of everything for the Flaming Arrows, setting and attacking from the pin while serving as a major part of the team’s offense.
With so much of Sachem East’s offense running through her, Hansen will be a player to watch as the Flaming Arrows look to make a deep playoff run this season.
7. Kylie Dimenna
Position: Middle/Opposite
School: Sachem High School North Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 6'2"
Kylie Dimenna is one of Sachem North’s biggest offensive threats heading into her senior season. A middle and opposite, Dimenna is a tough matchup for opposing blockers with her ability to hit around or over the block. Her size and attacking ability make her a constant threat at the net.
Dimenna will see plenty of sets this season as Sachem North looks to run its offense through her. With her offensive ability and versatility at the net, she will be a key piece of the Flaming Arrows’ offense.
8. Skyla Suillivan
Position: Outside Hitter/Libero
School: Smithtown East High School Class of 2029
Uncommitted
Height: 5'7"
Skyla Sullivan is making the move from libero to outside hitter as a sophomore after playing libero for Smithtown East’s Suffolk County championship team last season. Sullivan strenghts include elite passing, fast footwork and strong ball control, giving the Bulls a player who can contribute in every phase of the game.
On a very talented Smithtown East team, Sullivan’s ability to pass and defend at a high level while adding another offensive option will make her a player to watch this season.
9. Kylie Hoffman
Position: Outside/Opposite
School: Wantagh High School Class of 2027
Committed to Lebanon Valley College
Height: 5'11"
Kylie Hoffman enters her senior season as a versatile pin for Wantagh. Hoffman can score from either side of the net and brings a strong all-around game, making an impact both offensively and defensively. She is also a reliable passer, giving Wantagh a steady presence in serve receive.
This season will also be a special one for Hoffman as she plays under her mom, who is also her coach.
10. Valentina Esposito
Position: Outside/Libero
School: Lynbrook High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 5'7"
Valentina Esposito has been on varsity at Lynbrook since ninth grade. Esposito uses her speed and smart shot selection to find ways around opposing blocks, while also bringing strong passing and defense to the court.
She will take on a bigger offensive role this season, attacking from the outside while using her back row skills to contribute in every phase of the game. Esposito also earned a starting libero spot on the 2025 All Star GEVA Regionals team in Wisconsin.
Honorable Mentions
Anna Horowitz
Position: Setter
School: West Babylon High School Class of 2027
Committed to Union College
Cali Addeo
Position: Outside Hitter
School: Islip High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 5'10"
Ella Corso
Position: Outside Hitter
School: Half Hollow Hills High School Class of 2028
Uncommitted
Height: 5'10"
Emily Desetto
Position: Middle Blocker
School: Massapequa High School Class of 2028
Uncommitted
Height: 5'10"
Helena Miller
Position: Middle Blocker
School: Southside High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Maya Mirellis
Position: Middle Blocker
School: Division High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Height: 5'10"
Maria Loaiza
Position: Libero/Outside
School: Floral Park Memorial High School Class of 2027
Uncommitted
Olivia Jedut
Position: Middle Blocker
School: Lindenhurst High School Class of 2028
Uncommitted
Height: 5'11"
Riley Zdrojeski
Position: Outside Hitter
School: Northport High School Class of 2028
Uncommitted
Height: 5'11"
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