2024 Rankings Update Overview: Middle Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2024-rankings/">2024 Player Rankings</a> this week as these prospects wind down their club careers before heading off to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest rankings were comprised by the Prep Dig Rankings Team. Here's a rundown of what the 2024 middles look like.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2024","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32924","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660f072ada173"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Size leads the way</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a middle, having that extra length can go a long way. We see that the top four in our middle rankings all stand 6'1” or taller. Each also has a lot of explosiveness to combine with their size. Top-ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl'] </strong>is already in the Notre Dame program. The 6'3” middle battled injuries in the second half of her high school career, but was a dominant presence when healthy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] </strong>(Northern Kentucky) is a very athletic player that can take on a big workload. Same goes for 6'3” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110314' first='Carissa' last='Musta']</strong>, who took on nearly 2,400 attacks over her last two seasons with Cadillac. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] </strong>(Eckerd) is another 6'3” middle that was a great change of pace for Northville this fall. She can be as dominant with her hitting as she is with her blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hillsdale connection</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that stands out about the middles in the Class of 2024 is the talent the Hillsdale College program is bringing in for 2024. Three of our top 15 middles are going to be playing for the Chargers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176598' first='Jenna' last='Southland']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] </strong>will be joining the team next fall, sure to make a big impact. The 6'1” Southland dominated for Three Rivers this fall with over 670 kills while hitting .360. The 6-foot Baker was one of the most dominant players in Division 4 this fall for Lenawee Christian. She had nearly 500 kills while hitting .480 on the season. Fles has battled through a pair of stress fractures in her back that forced her to miss a lot of time on the court with South Christian. However, she's worked hard to persevere and show Hillsdale that it did the right thing to stick by her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others to watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of these middles will be playing at the next level and there's more than a few that could make a big impact. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176596' first='Marianna' last='Rivera'] </strong>is a 6'5” middle that is already working with the North Dakota program. Her length puts her in rare air already, but she's put a lot of time into her footwork and swing technique. She's got the potential to hit it big at the college level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'] </strong>is a 6'2” middle out of the Dakota program that is heading to Grand Valley State. With her work ethic and spring off the floor, Tillman has the potential to be a difference-maker in the GLIAC. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459259' first='Lydia' last='Michelin']</strong> is another player to keep an eye on. The diverse hitter has shown the ability to finish from the pins or the middle. She's heading to Miami (Ohio), a program that has produced some great Michigan talent. Michelin's athleticism and mechanics give her a chance to really shine early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->