2026 Middles Trending Up!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several 2026 middles have caught our eye during regionals and tournaments this spring. The 2026 group has a high skill level across the state; many play multiple positions, stepping into different roles depending on the club or high school team's needs. Here are several that have impressed and are trending up heading into the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409057"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Young has good bounce in the middle as a blocker, the talented multi-sport star from Peninsula High School is at least 6'0u0022 with solid athleticism. She has increased the variety of routes she is running, attacking in front and behind of her excellent Puyallup Juniors 16 National setters. Look for Young to continue to make noise on the court and the track this Spring and Summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb336b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514035"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Woodruff is a fast and agile attacker out of the middle spot, playing for Shockwave 16U this club season. The Richland 2026 plays bigger than her listed 5'8u0022, she is quick off the floor and has the hang time to challenge opposing hitters as a blocker. Woodruff uses her speed to get swings in transition, she is up and available for her setters and takes advantage of seams in the block to score.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb343d"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/L5JwhlbE1zw?si=do5X_-H6f4tYQ3E8","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/L5JwhlbE1zw?si=do5X_-H6f4tYQ3E8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409077"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Artman has positional versatility- during club and high school she can move around and score from multiple spots. She is holding down the right side for Dakine 16 Surf this club season, and her high contact point is generating points for the team at a high rate. Artman can really paint the line, she has good pace and location keeping the ball deep but in.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb34da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251024"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Neilson was impressive for Renovators at Evergreen Regionals, playing a mix of outside and middle and showing off a strong overall game. The Mt. Spokane sophomore has a live arm, she can rip a swing to the angle or down the line- then show good touch when she plays an off-speed shot. Neilson competes hard as a defender and server, the 2026 prospect continues to develop in all phases of the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb354e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/EsxHMSHNHJk?si=NRXuhNYaF7wjFbHq","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/EsxHMSHNHJk?si=NRXuhNYaF7wjFbHq </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480831"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jones will be turning heads as she continues into the post-season with her Cru MAX 17 team, and during the fall with the defending 4A State Champions, Wenatchee. The 6'1u0022 2026 middle has rapidly developed into an athletic force at the net, swallowing up opposing hitters and punishing over passes that come her way. Jones has a powerful arm, and can drop a well located tip in to score. We liked her vision and timing as a blocker at the Prep Dig Showcase in Salt Lake, she is able to hang and calmly throw down a tip or roll shot that comes in her direction.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb35c5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/L4Movcnf_6Y?si=VVe_04GTorSQ650N","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/L4Movcnf_6Y?si=VVe_04GTorSQ650N </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["539946"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Rainwater is an athletic middle for CPA 16 Benson, with quick feet and a knack for getting her hands on the ball as a blocker. Playing for Davenport during the fall, Rainwater helped the team to a playoff appearance while playing on the outside at times. The 5'10u0022 prospect notched several big kill totals during the season, and she has continued to improve as an attacker for CPA this spring. Rainwater anticipates and reads the setter and hitters across the net, giving herself an advantage with her eye work. She shows good hands when things get messy, and is a solid server and defender when she is in the back row.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642e2bcb363c"} /-->