A poll to crown the 2026 TSSAA girls soccer star
The Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union has opened a poll to determine the top returning girls soccer player for the 2026 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association season, inviting fans and community members to cast their votes before noon on Aug. 20.
The competition showcases a deep pool of talent from across the Knoxville region, featuring standouts such as Madi Bowlin and Sophie Keener of Bearden High, who each earned All‑District and All‑Region honors last year and combined for more than 20 points while helping their team reach the state tournament.
Sophie Keener’s performance was highlighted by a state tournament MVP award and a defensive record that saw the team concede only nine goals, underscoring her dual threat on attack and defense.
Other notable candidates include Ella Bennett of CAK, the freshman offensive player of the year with 12 goals and nine assists, and Hadley Black from Greenback, who led her squad to a District 2‑A championship with 21 goals and seven assists.
Goalkeeping excellence is also represented by Katy Emory of Maryville, who logged 151 saves in the previous season, while Lakeway Christian’s Kayla Underwood, a fifth‑year starter, boasts over 50 career goals.
The field also includes players from a wide array of schools — including Farragut, Halls, Jefferson County, Loudon, Morristown West, Oak Ridge, Powell, Sevier County, Sweetwater, Seymour and Webb — reflecting the rich soccer culture of East Tennessee.