2027 Fall Rankings Update: Top Middle Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just released a big update to the <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 Player Rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has expanded to 50 players overall with more players on the watch list as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the new update, we can dig deeper into each position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's continue with a look at the top middle hitters in this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_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-66e36ad63463e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top 10 Middles</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'], Brighton/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'3” middle that is also able to slide to the outside when needed, Ockerman is a prospect that many college have to be keeping an eye on. Ockerman is coming off a big club season where she showed she's among the best in the nation at the position. She's got great movement and delivers power shots that are nearly impossible to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'], Jenison/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bush-Nelson is a middle set to break out from the Grand Rapids area. She's got the length and size to be very disruptive at the net, but she shows the footwork and agility to be able to make all the plays offensively. As Bush-Nelson keeps gaining in confidence, she's going to raise her stock even higher, nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'], Portage Central/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colosky is likely to really make a name for herself around the state this fall. She's got a lot of explosiveness off the floor and can hang in the air for what seems like minutes. Colosky is showing good awareness early in the prep season as well, winning many 50-50 battles at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp'], Plainwell/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2” middle with a lot of agility, Thorp is playing like an upperclassman already. She's got good chemistry with her setters and thinks ahead to be prepared for everything that comes her way. Thorp has a quick spring off the floor as well, which allows her to catch blockers off guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'], FH Northern/Far Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'1” hitter that can play the middle or the right side, Johnson is a versatile offensive option for the Huskies. She's got a long wingspan, which has helped her be an impactful blocker early in the season. Johnson's swing is quick and compact, but finds the floor at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow'], Romeo/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosenow has a lot of big-match experience for a young player and that's helped her polish up all aspects of her play. Her blocking has taken a big step forward, and she's mixing up her swings to be a more consistent finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'], Eisenhower/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berishaj doesn't have the same height as some of her peers on this list, but she plays big at the net. She likes a fast tempo and to be able to dial up a fastball whenever possible. It leads to a lot of momentum-shifting points for her teams. Berishaj also isn't afraid to mix it up with her blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. [player_tooltip player_id='454367' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn'], Lake Orion/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawhorn has played everywhere along the net and looks to be moving more toward an outside role. Still, she has been an effective middle and her confidence and consistency is improving with each week. Lawhorn is quickly able to apply new traits to her game, but still retains the power game that has helped set her apart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'], Notre Dame Prep/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the proud NDP program is looking for new hitters this season, McDowell is showing she can be that consistent finisher for the Irish. She's able to play the middle or the outside, but the 6-footer is coming down hard with big kills at either spot. She's adapting to the ball well as a sophomore, but is sure to make big strides in her game in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id='490375' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'], Byron Center/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittendon is working on being stronger all-around and she's had a willingness to push herself to new challenges. Her slide attack is showing improvement and she is able to make a challenging attack even when her sets might not be located where they need to. As she continues to pick up her tempo, it should bring out the best of her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->