Georgia is deep in the Class of 2026 with blockers and middle hitters and the list of top prospects includes multi-year starters, newcomers and versatile returning players that have shifted into the position. For Greater Atlanta Christian, Amyra Burchik was named the Area 5-3A Offensive Player of the Year in 20224 and was voted to the Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-State for Class 3A. Burchik has since committed to Samford and is also an AAU All-American. Burchik tallied 42 blocks as a sophomore for the Spartans and added 26 blocks last year. At 5-foot-10, Burchik is suited to be an outside hitter for the Spartans this season and she has a complete skillset—accounting for 554 kills, 178 digs and 68 blocks over the past two seasons.
Abby Peppers of Woodstock is a returning middle hitter that stands 5-foot-11. She increased her defensive production last year with 46 total blocks after accounting for 37 as a sophomore. East Forsyth has Akshaya Bavanandan returning as a four-year starter for the Broncos. At 6-foot-1, the Class of 2026 prospect had a breakout junior season. She tallied a career-high 38 total blocks in 74 sets played and helped lead an East Forsyth team that was eliminated in the playoffs by top-ranked Pace Academy. In that match, Bavanandan had two kills and a team-high two blocks.
Cartersville’s Addie Rickman will be back for her senior year and proved to be one of the most productive defensive forces last year with her 64 total blocks. Walton returns 5-foot-9 Ashlee Gomes—who is coming off a 25-block junior season. This upcoming season, Class of 2026 returning starter Ella Cobb will be a major player to watch with Gomes enforcing the net. Cobb—who is a defensive specialist accounted for 397 digs this past season in her first full season starting for the Raiders.
East Coweta is also returning a core group of talent next season after falling to eventual state champion Alpharetta in the playoffs. Ava Bassett was a key contributor as a sophomore with 214 kills and 99 total blocks, but appeared in just one set last year.
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