USA HPP 2025 Top Performer Players
WOW SOFTBALL | NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAY
Seventy-two athletes who earned Top Performer recognition at USA Softball's 2025 National Selection Event are returning to the invitation list for 2026. WOW Softball takes a closer look at who they are, the positions they play, their regions, and the accomplishments they have already achieved.
BY WOW SOFTBALL STAFF | OCTOBER 2026
A year can change a lot for a young softball player. Some return with varsity awards. Others have made college commitments or already represented the United States in international competition.
For 72 athletes invited to USA Softball's 2026 National Selection Event, there is one accomplishment they already share. Each was named a Top Performer at the 2025 event.
That recognition matters because these players have already experienced the national evaluation process and earned recognition for what they showed on the field. Now they have another opportunity to demonstrate how much their games have developed.
WOW Softball examined all 72 returning Top Performers, including their age divisions, positions, and USA Softball regions. We also researched several players who have already built impressive softball résumés.
|
72
TOP PERFORMERS |
4
AGE DIVISIONS |
19
PITCHERS |
What Does Being a Top Performer Mean?
In December 2025, USA Softball brought young athletes from around the country to Vero Beach, Florida, for its National Selection Event.
During the event, athletes were evaluated on different parts of their game, including hitting, throwing, running, defense, and other on-field skills.
On December 29, USA Softball announced its Top Performers, recognizing players who stood out during the evaluation process.
For the 72 players returning in 2026, that recognition is another accomplishment they can build on. Being a Top Performer does not guarantee selection to a national team, but it gives these athletes another opportunity to continue developing within USA Softball's national team pathway.
Breakdown by Age Division
The returning Top Performers are divided evenly among four age divisions. Each division includes 18 athletes.
These are the official age groups listed on USA Softball's 2026 invitation roster, not estimated graduation years.
| Age Group | Players | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| U17 | 18 | 25% |
| U16 | 18 | 25% |
| U15 | 18 | 25% |
| U14 | 18 | 25% |
| Total | 72 | 100% |
Each group represents one-quarter of the returning athletes. The players recognized in 2025 have moved up one age division for the 2026 event.
Pitchers Lead the Position Breakdown
When looking at playing positions, pitchers make up the largest group among the 72 returning athletes.
There are 19 pitchers, accounting for 26.4 percent of the group. Outfielders follow with 15 players, while catchers and shortstops each account for 11.
For players listed at multiple positions, WOW Softball counted their first listed position so that each athlete is represented only once.
| Position | Players | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher (P/RHP) | 19 | 26.4% |
| Outfield (OF) | 15 | 20.8% |
| Catcher (C) | 11 | 15.3% |
| Shortstop (SS) | 11 | 15.3% |
| Third Base (3B) | 6 | 8.3% |
| Second Base (2B) | 5 | 6.9% |
| First Base (1B) | 5 | 6.9% |
| Total | 72 | 100% |
Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
The pitching numbers stand out, but this group represents talent across the entire diamond. These statistics describe the makeup of the returning Top Performers, not which positions have the strongest players.
Which Regions Have the Most Returning Top Performers?
Region 10 leads the way with 21 returning Top Performers, representing 29.2 percent of the group.
Region 5 follows with 15 players, while Region 3 has 13. Combined, those three regions account for 49 of the 72 athletes.
| USA Softball Region | Players |
|---|---|
| Region 10 | 21 |
| Region 5 | 15 |
| Region 3 | 13 |
| Region 2 | 9 |
| Region 1 | 5 |
| Region 6 | 4 |
| Region 4 | 2 |
| Region 9 | 2 |
| Region 7 | 1 |
| Region 8 | 0 |
| Total | 72 |
Nearly 70 percent of the returning athletes come from Regions 10, 5, and 3.
However, these numbers should not automatically be interpreted as a ranking of regional talent. Participation, access to evaluation events, and other factors can influence how many athletes are represented.
Making the Top Performer list is an accomplishment. What makes this returning group interesting is the opportunity to see what these athletes do next.
Eight Returning Top Performers Worth Following
Several athletes from this group have already built impressive résumés outside the National Selection Event. Some have represented Team USA internationally, while others have earned major high school awards and announced college commitments.
These eight player profiles highlight documented accomplishments. They are not a ranking of the 72 athletes.
Michaela Landers
U16 | 2B/SS | REGION 5 | TEXAS COMMIT
Michaela Landers has already proven she can produce on an international stage.
The Waxahachie, Texas, infielder helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 U15 WBSC Americas Qualifier, hitting .600 with eight RBI and 13 runs scored. She also earned All-Pan American Team recognition.
Her 2026 high school season brought another level of attention. Landers hit .639 for Waxahachie and committed to Texas on September 18, 2026.
Source: USA Softball Player Profile
Sophia Schlader
U16 | PITCHER | REGION 7 | OKLAHOMA COMMIT
Sophia Schlader's 2026 high school season was one to remember.
Playing for Waukee Northwest in Iowa, she finished with a 30-1 pitching record, a 1.20 ERA, and 296 strikeouts over 187 innings.
She also hit 15 home runs while helping Waukee Northwest win a state championship. Those performances earned her Gatorade's Iowa Softball Player of the Year award.
Schlader committed to Oklahoma in September 2026.
Source: Gatorade Player of the Year
Maci Barnes
U16 | PITCHER | REGION 5
Maci Barnes is another returning Top Performer with international experience already on her résumé.
At the 2025 U15 WBSC Americas Qualifier, Barnes struck out 22 batters in 11 and two-thirds innings without allowing an earned run.
She helped Team USA win gold and later appeared on USA Softball's June 2026 HPP Top Performers Camp roster.
For Barnes, returning to the National Selection Event gives her another opportunity to build on a path that has already included international competition.
Source: USA Softball Player Profile
Mattingly Klein
U16 | SS/2B | REGION 3
Mattingly Klein made an immediate impact at Hagerty High School in Florida.
As a freshman, she hit .500 with six home runs, 40 runs scored, and 26 RBI.
Klein helped Hagerty win the 2026 Class 7A state championship and earned Florida Dairy Farmers Class 7A Player of the Year honors.
Her ability to make an impact so early in her high school career is another reason her development will be worth following.
Morgan Maxwell
U17 | PITCHER | REGION 3 | GEORGIA COMMIT
Morgan Maxwell has already put together an impressive combination of pitching and hitting accomplishments.
The West Forsyth standout was named North Carolina's 2025-26 Gatorade Softball Player of the Year after posting a 0.48 ERA with 237 strikeouts and 11 shutouts.
At the plate, she hit .512 with 13 home runs.
Maxwell also earned selection to the 2026 USA Softball U18 national team program and committed to Georgia.
Sources: Gatorade | USA Softball
Emma Reynolds
U17 | SS/OF | REGION 10 | OKLAHOMA COMMIT
Emma Reynolds has already established herself as one of Arizona's accomplished high school softball players.
Playing for Queen Creek, she hit .588 during the 2026 season with 10 home runs, 65 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases.
She earned Arizona's Gatorade Softball Player of the Year award.
Reynolds has also represented the United States in junior national team competition and committed to Oklahoma.
Source: Gatorade Player of the Year
Zoey Abdullah
U17 | OF/2B | REGION 3 | TEXAS COMMIT
Zoey Abdullah adds another major college commitment to the returning Top Performer group.
The Doral Academy outfielder helped her Florida high school team finish 26-3 in 2026, hitting .500 along the way.
On September 27, 2026, Abdullah announced her commitment to Texas, joining fellow returning Top Performer Michaela Landers in the Longhorns' 2028 recruiting class.
Mia Ennis
U16 | OUTFIELD | REGION 4
Mia Ennis is another member of this group who has already represented Team USA internationally.
The Metairie, Louisiana, outfielder helped the United States win gold at the 2025 U15 WBSC Americas Qualifier, scoring seven runs during the tournament.
Ennis also participated in USA Softball's June 2026 HPP Top Performers Camp.
Her international experience adds another dimension to her returning Top Performer recognition.
Source: USA Softball Player Profile
Complete List of the 72 Returning Top Performers
Below is the complete list of 72 athletes identified as 2025 National Selection Event Top Performers on USA Softball's October 2, 2026 invitation roster.
Players are organized by their official 2026 age divisions and listed alphabetically within each group.
Roster Note: Age divisions, positions, and regions reflect USA Softball's October 2026 invitation list. These are not high school graduation classes. The 2025 recognition listing spells Taegan Lermann's first name as Teagan, while the 2026 invitation list uses Taegan.
U17 | 18 Top Performers
| Player | Position | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Zoey Abdullah | OF/2B | 3 |
| Macie Bryant | P | 5 |
| Jada Duncan | 2B | 5 |
| Ava Flores | C | 10 |
| Zaliyah Jones | OF | 10 |
| Shay Kletke | P | 10 |
| Jackie Knol | C/3B | 3 |
| Scarlett LaBriola | 1B | 10 |
| Taegan Lermann | 3B | 5 |
| Maya Matthies | 3B/SS | 10 |
| Morgan Maxwell | P | 3 |
| Kayla Phan | OF/SS | 10 |
| Ella Reynolds | OF | 1 |
| Emma Reynolds | SS/OF | 10 |
| Erin Ryan | C/3B | 6 |
| Peyton Tsao | SS/2B | 10 |
| Finlee Williams | OF | 5 |
| Neveah Wilson | SS/2B | 10 |
U16 | 18 Top Performers
| Player | Position | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Maci Barnes | P | 5 |
| Bella Blakeley | SS | 6 |
| Giavanna Bono | C | 1 |
| Reagan Christopherson | P | 5 |
| Mia Ennis | OF | 4 |
| Jada Johnson | 3B | 3 |
| Mattingly Klein | SS/2B | 3 |
| Peyton Knight | OF | 10 |
| Lily Kwis | SS/3B | 1 |
| Michaela Landers | 2B/SS | 5 |
| Victoria MacKenzie | OF | 1 |
| Jaiden Proctor | 1B | 10 |
| Lucy Reis | P | 2 |
| Sophia Schlader | P | 7 |
| Tara Tarnowski | P | 5 |
| Makenzie Thomas | SS/3B | 5 |
| Grace Varua | C | 1 |
| Khloe Williams | 1B/OF | 5 |
U15 | 18 Top Performers
| Player | Position | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Madelyn Benzler | P | 10 |
| Brooklyn Childress | C | 2 |
| Faith Colligan | P/1B | 2 |
| Allison Eicholtz | C | 2 |
| Leni Greenberg | OF | 10 |
| Makenzie Guerin | 2B | 9 |
| Kendall Hom | SS/3B | 10 |
| Arianna Jackson | OF | 10 |
| Ansley Johnson | P | 4 |
| Mercedes Marquez | OF | 10 |
| Brooklyn Medhus | P | 3 |
| Camari Peek | 2B | 3 |
| Alivia Ramon | P | 5 |
| Ashlyn Sam | OF | 5 |
| Hailey Smith-Young | 3B | 6 |
| Charli Taylor | P/3B | 10 |
| Emma Taylor | SS | 2 |
| Taylor Woitalewicz | 1B | 5 |
U14 | 18 Top Performers
| Player | Position | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chloe Barrett | OF | 5 |
| Micaiah Cover | P | 3 |
| Quinn Dorr | SS | 2 |
| Logan Fong | 2B | 10 |
| Reagan Harps | P | 10 |
| Kyrie Kramer | 1B | 5 |
| Breya Milloy | OF | 9 |
| Haly Morris | P | 3 |
| Zoey Novoa | SS | 10 |
| Julia Putko | P/3B | 2 |
| Isabella Smith | C | 3 |
| Emily Stephens | C | 2 |
| Erica Tayler | 3B | 6 |
| Laney Tucker | OF/2B | 3 |
| Ruth Vazquez | P | 10 |
| Laiklee Watson | C/SS | 3 |
| Kiara Watts | C | 3 |
| Taylor Zehnder | 3B | 2 |
What Comes Next for These 72 Players?
USA Softball's 2026 National Selection Event is scheduled for December 3 through December 6 in Vero Beach, Florida.
For these 72 returning athletes, the event offers another opportunity to compete, receive evaluations, and continue developing within the national team pathway.
What makes this group particularly interesting is that their stories are already moving in different directions.
Some have reached major college recruiting milestones. Others have earned state awards or gained international experience, while some are still at the beginning of their high school careers.
They all have one thing in common. In 2025, they earned recognition for their performances. Now the next chapter of their softball journeys is ready to unfold.
WOW Softball will continue following these players and their accomplishments as they work toward the next level.
Sources and Methodology
Player names, age divisions, positions, and regions were compiled from USA Softball's official October 2, 2026 National Selection Event invitation list. The Top Performer designation was cross-referenced with USA Softball's 2025 recognition. Players with multiple positions were counted by their first listed position.
Official October 2026 Invitation List
Recognition as a Top Performer or an invitation to the National Selection Event does not guarantee selection to a USA national team.
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