Fall Rankings Update: 2026 Middle Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Class of <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2026-rankings/">2026 Player Rankings</a> were updated this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This class is very potent and already racking up a lot of Division 1 college commitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As strong as the class is overall, middle hitters could be the strongest position of them all. Here's a breakdown of the middles in this 2026 class.</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-66da50634120d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Current Top 5</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], Bloomfield Hills/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot you can say about this prospect, but the fact is she's one of the best in the nation. At 6'2”, she's got size and length to go with tremendous athleticism. Her drive and work ethic is hard to match, which explains why she is committed to Harvard for college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'], Mercy/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4” Andrews has the chance to really elevate her position as one of the top middles in the nation this fall. She had to sit out last prep season due to transfer rules, but should be a dominant force for Mercy. Andrews' length is a problem enough for opponents, but when you mix in her athleticism and footwork, she's truly elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'], Bedford/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monahan is part of a special 1-2 punch in the middle at Bedford, but it's given her an opportunity to raise her to another level. Monahan has a lot of spring in her step and she is quick to react and battle for the ball. She's also improving as a blocker, slowing down a lot of opposing hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks'], Loy Norrix/Dead Frog</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanks has quickly moved up 2026 rankings boards as she's shown she can be as explosive as anyone at the position. The 6'2” Hanks gets a lot of air off the floor and can hang at the net to put a devastating swing on the ball. She's grown in confidence and that has taken her game to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='523816' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'], Brighton/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Copenhaver is another hitter that is coming into her own. She's shown the ability to play the outside and the middle, finishing with a powerful swing at either spot. Her placement and ball speed is impressive, which has led her to earning a commitment to Duke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'], FH Northern/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zimmerman is going to showcase just how talented she can be this fall season. As the Huskies need new offensive leaders, the 6'1” Zimmerman is primed to take off. She's got lightning-fast reaction time and a slide attack that turns a lot of heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot'], West Bloomfield/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the standouts from the recent Michigan Stock Up Showcase, Agoot is someone you need to keep an eye one. She's gets a lot of height at the net and brings a lot of aggression on her swing. Her blocking ability is one of the best in the class as well, as she times out her jumps well and has a big wingspan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'], Mercy/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'8” Hollier may not have the size of her peers, but she makes up for it with one of the biggest verticals in the group. You won't find many middles that can generate the power that Hollier does at the net. Plus, she's get a lot of competitive fire that provides energy for the rest of her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'], Orchard Lake St. Mary's/L2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs is a composed middle that does a good job of making the plays that come her way and not letting herself get over-aggressive and make errors. Gibbs has the size and length to take over a match, but her composure allows her to make some high-IQ plays as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226942' first='Ashley' last='Verhey'], Milford/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Verhey has shown the ability to play on the outside and has had some great success as a right side, as well as a middle. This left-handed power arm is really consistent in her delivery and the velocity she gets on the ball. This year should be a big year in her development as she becomes a featured offensive option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->