5 CIAC Boys Volleyball Standouts Missing From 2026 Rosters

Connecticut high school volleyball keeps evolving as the CIAC shifts to three divisions. GametimeCT is also expanding its preseason watch, now spotlighting players who’ve broken out midseason.

This feature highlights five overlooked standouts. These athletes have become statistical leaders, ready to shape conference and CIAC title races as the season heads into its homestretch.

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From Glastonbury to Darien, New Britain to Shelton, these players are shaking up the CT volleyball landscape. Towns like Southbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Hartford are seeing new stars rise.

CIAC’s Three-Division Shift and the Case for a Broader Preseason Watch

With the CIAC restructuring boys volleyball into three divisions, coaches and media are rethinking who deserves top billing. GametimeCT bumped its preseason “15 Players to Watch” list up to 20, making room for rising talents who didn’t get much attention early on but are now powering their teams’ playoff pushes.

In a state where programs stretch from the Hartford County belt to the Connecticut Gold Coast, that wider lens helps fans from Glastonbury, New Britain, Shelton, Darien, and beyond keep tabs on the season’s most influential performers.

Glastonbury’s Nitin: Dominant net presence

Glastonbury’s senior middle man has become a fixture at the net. He keeps polishing his game as a third-year varsity player.

16 kills per match — a staggering pace for a player who’s now the go-to option at crunch time.
2.16 passer rating — showing off his efficient ball handling and transition play that fuel the Gaels’ offense.

Nitin’s steady improvement stands out, especially as veterans anchor teams in the CIAC’s new division structure. Towns like West Hartford, Manchester, and East Hartford know just how much a consistent net presence can tilt matchups late in the set.

New Britain’s Santiago: A late-blooming two-way threat

New Britain’s 6-foot-2 junior wasn’t really on anyone’s radar when he first stepped onto varsity, but now he’s a primary offensive weapon and a tough blocker. His season totals show just how quickly he’s risen.

168 kills
21 blocks
Single-match highs of 32 and 31 in narrow 3-2 losses

Santiago’s development is turning heads in New Britain and nearby spots like Hartford and Meriden. The broader CT volleyball community, including Norwalk and Stamford, is starting to take notice, too.

Shelton’s Thelen: The 10-match start that signals staying power

Thelen brings senior leadership that’s helped Shelton sweep its first ten matches. That early-season cohesion and depth have set the tone for the Gaels.

94 kills
State-best .549 hitting percentage

Shelton’s hot start has fans buzzing in Bridgeport and Stratford, and even in towns like Danbury and New Haven. When you see that kind of efficiency on the attack, it’s hard not to think they’ll have momentum heading into CIAC play.

Pomperaug’s Vangsouvanh: A setter who drives the attack

Pomperaug’s rookie setter has become a central figure in the Panthers’ push. He ranks among the state’s top five in assists and chips in elsewhere, too.

318 assists
68 digs
23 aces

From Southbury to Waterbury and Windsor Locks, Vangsouvanh’s distribution has elevated his teammates. That steady rhythm is what CT teams crave as playoff positioning heats up.

Darien’s Wheeler: A first-year setter stepping into a leadership role

Darien, still rebuilding after a tough 2025, is finding momentum behind a first-year setter. His credentials already look impressive for a program trying to climb back up.

319 assists — just ahead of Vangsouvanh for a statewide pace
68 digs
19 blocks

Darien’s climb is drawing attention from Fairfield County towns like Greenwich, Stamford, and Norwalk. Even in Bridgeport-area communities, folks are starting to notice as high-level volleyball keeps gaining prestige and competitiveness.

Why This Matters for CT Volleyball and the Preseason Watch List

The five players listed above started the season either on a short preseason list or got overlooked. Now, their midseason performances have completely changed expectations for their teams and the statewide talent pool.

They’re helping their clubs get into position to fight for conference titles and CIAC hardware as the season heads into the final stretch. In a state that stretches from Glastonbury to New Britain, Shelton to Darien, and Southbury, it’s honestly hard to overstate how important it is to spot rising talent early on.

Maybe it’s time to expand the preseason “15 Players to Watch” list to 20. More CT programs — from Hartford to Nashua and New Haven — deserve some recognition before the postseason grind starts.

Original reporting by Bryant Carpenter, May 4, 2026.

Here is the source article for this story: 5 CIAC high school boys volleyball players we missed for 2026 season

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