Michigan Winter Rankings Update: 2026 Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Rankings have been updated!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 proved to be a HUGE year for the class of 2026. With the conclusion of the club season came the all-important, June 15th date and so many players from this class have found themselves with their next landing spot in motion. This also was an incredible fall for this class to really come into their own in the HS scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look below at the latest update alongside some of the biggest stock risers and new names!</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-676f62584a7dd"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">STOCK RISERS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks'] - Loy Norrix</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a massive club season with Dead Frog, [player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks'] continues to stun those in the volleyball world. One of the biggest stories out of the 2026 recruiting class was seeing Hanks' commitment to USC. She followed up this commitment with a trip to the USA National Team Development Program. Impressive enough to receive an extended offer for another appearance, Hanks is proving herself as a nationally renowned talent that you need to keep your eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] - Forest Hills Northern</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] is another player who just kept getting better and better as 2024 went on. Towards the end of her club season with MVBTA, Zimmerman was unleashing a lot of force at the net and nearly led MVBTA to a gold bracket finish in Florida. Onto the high school season, Zimmerman was top dog in Division 1 and became one of the most potent attackers in the middle. Dynamic and full of athleticism, Zimmerman is poised for an even bigger club season ahead with FaR Out 18 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot'] - West Bloomfield</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot'] is a key player that you will need to keep your eyes on in the coming months. Similar to Zimmerman, Agoot was a rockstar at a smaller club out of Detroit before moving to a big name and she's coming in with a lot of momentum. Agoot touches nearly 10 foot and has a fast arm to boot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553159' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'] - Ispheming</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not every day you get a player like this out of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. [player_tooltip player_id='553159' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'] could be a story similar to Hanks. Small town kid getting seen by the big times. Hemmer is a high flying player that brings a lot of heat and is yet so raw. Her athleticism offers up a lot of promise and some big programs are looking to snag her before she gets away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] - Mercy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is one of the mightiest, yet one of the most effective middles in the class. [player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] continues to prove against the odds and hang with the elite of the middles. Hollier had another impressive season with Mercy. Despite an early bow out in their repeat title hopes, Hollier shined on the court for her fast attacks and timely blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FRESH FACES</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='643759' first='Laynie' last='Russell'] - Mona Shores</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mona Shores was one of those dark horse teams and it is much to the credit of the size and physicality of their middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='643759' first='Laynie' last='Russell']. Standing at a stout 6'2, Russell had a break out season for Shores and is another prospect looking to up her stock by leveling up in the club world with MVA this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732282' first='Kate' last='VanAppledorn'] - Holland Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='732282' first='Kate' last='VanAppledorn'] has become the face of Holland Christian. A perennial contender in Division 2, VanAppledorn's play in the middle played a huge role in Christian's big season. She's a quick point in front of the setter and can spread the ball out quite nicely and with a lot of pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='631464' first='Mya' last='Eberlein'] - Edwardsburg</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an exciting fall, there is a lot more to come from [player_tooltip player_id='631464' first='Mya' last='Eberlein']. Edwardsburg continues rolling with some exciting talent and Eberlein is the next in line to assist [player_tooltip player_id='478074' first='Sarah' last='Pippin'] in this program's pending breakout. 6'2 and super lengthy, Eberlein can cover a lot of space at the net with no problem. She is also a player with a long ways to go in her development, but is coming along so nicely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa'] - Pewamo-Westphalia</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't be surprised to see Pewamo-Westphalia back in those title conversations next season in Division 3. If [player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa'] continues her ascent, PW could find themselves with another title. She is that kind of player when it comes to her impact on the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->