2021 Player Rankings: Top 10 Middle Hitters

<p>The Class of 2021 in the state of Michigan is flooded with talent at the middle hitter position. This crop of players is absolutely stacked at the middle position. It was challenging to figure out who made up the top 10, but certainly those not listed aren’t far off. Here’s a look at the 10 players that managed to really stand out over the last year.</p> <p>RELATED: 2021’s <a href="http://bit.ly/2Fi6E0s"><strong>Top Outside Hitters</strong></a></p> <p>RELATED: 2021’s <a href="http://bit.ly/2Hq0eyw"><strong>Top Setters</strong></a></p> <ol> <li><strong> Aubrey O’Gorman, Lakewood/FaR Out: </strong>Already a Michigan State commit, O’Gorman is an impressive and athletic middle that helped lead Lakewood to the Division 2 semifinals this fall. She had 376 kills and nearly 150 blocks in 2018’s prep season to earn First Team All-State honors. Currently playing for FaR Out 16 Black, O’Gorman is one of many talented young hitters on the squad.</li> <li><strong> Charlie Atiemo, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Atiemo really made her presence felt for Mercy this fall, which is saying something since the team was loaded with hitters. She hit over .500 and posted over 200 kills to help the Marlins to the Division 1 semifinals while earning Third Team All-State honors. Now, Atiemo plays for 16 Mizuno, which is stacked with middle talent.</li> <li><strong> A.J. Ediger, Hamilton: </strong>Ediger is just a talented athlete that happens to play middle. Also a standout basketball player, she helped Hamilton reach the D2 quarterfinals this fall by racking up over 450 kills and nearly 150 blocks. Ediger can jump out of the building and uses her 6-foot-2 frame to be an absolute force at the net.</li> <li><strong> Madison Grace, Fraser/Legacy: </strong>Despite standing just 5-9, Grace has a jump that approaches 10 feet and has the versatility to play the right side as well as middle. She had just under 400 kills this fall for Fraser, which reached the D1 regional final. She is part of a loaded Legacy 16-Elite middle hitter roster during club season.</li> <li><strong> Kendall Robertson, Lake Orion/Michigan Elite: </strong>Robertson missed some time during the fall with an injury, but Lake Orion was at its best when she returned. She was a force in the middle with her ability to finish points and get key blocks. Robertson approached 250 kills and had just over 100 blocks for the D1 state champs and now is playing for 17 Mizuno, where she is getting to test her skills a grade level up.</li> <li><strong> Anna Butler, Byron Center/FaR Out: </strong>Butler took a lot of strides in the 2018 prep season and put up over 250 kills and 50 blocks for Byron Center. Bigger things are likely ahead for her and the team in 2019 as she continues to polish her skills as part of FaR Out 16 Black.</li> <li><strong> Alana Watlington, Clarkston/Legacy: </strong>Watlington was on her way to big things before a knee injury ended her season. She had over 150 kills and 60 blocks for Clarkston and is a reason why the Wolves could be a team to watch out for in 2019. She is part of the Legacy 16-Elite roster and should be a breakout start this fall.</li> <li><strong> Sonia Markucki, Gull Lake: </strong>The 6-2 standout middle led Gull Lake to the D1 quarterfinals this past fall. Her ability to block was her strength, as she approached 100 for the season. As she continues to improve her swing, she will really be a handful for opponents to deal with.</li> <li><strong> Ellie Tisko, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Another talented, young hitter for Farmington Hills Mercy, Tisko is in line to get more opportunities next fall to really have a chance to breakout. Part of 16 Mizuno, Tisko has the ability to play all over the court.</li> <li><strong> Abby Olin, Coopersville: </strong>Olin helped Coopersville claim a conference title and district championship this fall while earning Third Team All-State honors in Division 2. The Broncos should continue to compete on a state level the next few years with Olin patrolling the middle.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Others to note: </strong>Tatum Otolski, Reagan Goeke, Ella Uganski, Ainsley Guse</p>