2026 Middles – Small Town Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Class 1 class has some big-time talent, and in Class 1, you will see many dual-sport athletes. Here's a preview of some top-ranked Class 1 middles in the latest 2026 rankings.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>47. [player_tooltip player_id='490124' first='Gabby' last='Meyer'] – Middle - Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meyer led her Northwest team to the final four in '23 and was one of the top sophomore players. Gabby can hit on either pin, can set, and is a hard-to-stop middle who finished 3rd in class 1 with 436 kills. The All-State, All-District, and All-Conference performer will be a great addition to any team at the next level because of her well-rounded skill set of playing defense and her&nbsp;ability to set and hit anywhere along the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>72. [player_tooltip player_id='237001' first='Taylor' last='Williams'] – Middle - Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 1 State Champion was my pick for MVP at this year's championships. Her improvement from her freshman to sophomore year was impressive, and she followed it up with 421 kills this season. A six-rotation middle has 896 career kills, 178 blocks, and 962 digs. I expect Taylor and her Wildcats to push for a state title repeat next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>84. [player_tooltip player_id='237007' first='Miranda' last='Rieger'] – Middle – Mound City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miranda finished the season with an impressive 405 kills and hit .274. Another Class 1 six-rotation middle had a career-high 25 kills in a four-set loss in the state playoffs. Miranda could fill in on a JUCO team as a pin hitter because of her ability to pass and play defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>93. [player_tooltip player_id='236987' first='Kinsey' last='Barton'] – Middle – Bunker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multi-sport star at Bunker is a highly athletic athlete who can play volleyball and basketball at the next level. A starter from day one of her first year, Kinsey has accumulated 1003 career kills and 753 digs. Her career-high kills were 30 in a 2-3 loss in the district playoffs against South Iron. Kinsey&nbsp;is the most talented dual sports player in Class 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>126. [player_tooltip player_id='735254' first='Molly' last='Day'] – Middle – Northland Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1" middle for the Trailblazers finished the year with 247 kills and has the tools to play at the next level. Molly has the height college coaches want; she's quick, understands her position, and knows&nbsp;how to exploit the defense with her ability to hit the corners. Her solid power and ability to play anywhere on the court will give Molly an edge to make an impact at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>165. [player_tooltip player_id='735551' first='Jaycee' last='Shelton'] – Middle – Meadow Heights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaycee improved her kill total from 168 during her sophomore year to 336 this season. She plays taller than her 5'10" listed height because of her vertical and athleticism. She hits with power and has a high volleyball IQ—another Class 1 dual sports star who could play either sport in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->