Middle Hitter Breakdown For 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2026-rankings/">2026 Player Rankings</a>&nbsp;this week, a class full of players with a lot of potential to succeed at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest rankings were comprised by the Prep Dig Rankings Team. Here's a breakdown of the middle hitters, which includes arguably the best in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32924","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661eb8c5ac817"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Top 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current top-5 for middles in this class is an impressive crop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']: </strong>One of the best in the entire country, Nwabueze has explosiveness and athleticism that is hard for any of her peers to match. She's a very well-rounded player at the prep level, but shows how much she can dominate when able to focus on her middle position in club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='514803' first='Ella' last=''] Andrews: </strong>Elite size at 6'4”, Andrews also moves very fluently across the net. Her prep impact has been limited by a transfer, but she's proving she's also among the very best in the country at the club level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks']: </strong>A real breakout star over the last year, Hanks is showing next-level power and finishing ability at the net. She's light on her feet, but has a quick arm and can generate lightning-fast attacks with little effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan']: </strong>Playing alongside one of the best 2025 middles in the state and nation, Monahan has the chance to become a big star in the middle as well. At 6'1”, she's got the size and length to be very disruptive defensively. Her finishing rate is improving at a fast pace as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='226906' first='Reagan' last='Lesley']: </strong>Lesley has been finding a home as an outside this club season, showcasing her versatility on the floor. Her swing is very smooth and she's got a great approach to the net. Her ability to finish at the pins gives colleges a lot of possibilities in how they can utilize her in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others to keep an eye on</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier']: </strong>Hollier only stands 5'8”, but she's as explosive as it gets in the middle. She can soar above the net and puts a violent swing on the ball that has puzzled opposing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs']: </strong>A well-rounded middle that is using her blocking and attacking equally right now. She can change the game on offense and defense, and is adding new facets to her swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226942' first='Ashley' last='Verhey']: </strong>She's been playing OPP this club season and is one of the more powerful left-handed arms in the class. Verhey is able to generate a lot of arm speed and times out her attacks well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226878' first='Paige' last='Bierlein']: </strong>A multi-sport player, Bierlein has been able to play the middle or the outside. She's got great footwork and adapts well to the play. She doesn't force her attacks and makes smart choices at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438529' first='Mckenna' last='Boykin']: </strong>Boykin is putting in the work to be an impact player in this class. She's got the athleticism and arm power to do it. Consistency will be the key, which she's working on this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->