Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings

Below are ten middles added to our 2026 rankings. They are usually the first players you notice on the court because they are normally the tallest players. Yet once the game begins, they become invisible because it is the pin hitters who receive the most sets. The middles work hard moving from side to side to close the block. It is an unappreciated art. Without them defenses would be lost.   Middles are also normally the players taken out in the back row when the libero comes in. Some may get the chance to play beyond the three meter line when they serve but the back row is not a position middles play. For the most part you only see them on the court for three rotations. In the long run though they are invaluable to a team's success.   49. [player_tooltip player_id='707593' first='Kenzie' last='Smith'] middle (Grafton/[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']) - Grafton made it to the finals of the class 3 Virginia State playoffs. Unfortunately, that is where they lost to two time defending champion Hidden Valley. Kenzie played middle and also moved to right side. At 6'2" she brings the potential to dominate the court. Her height allows her to put up a sound block whether she plays middle or right side. She made the Prep Dig DMV second team as a middle blocker. Kenzie led Grafton in blocks and finished second in kills. She will play for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']. A player worth watching. East Coast will play in the Mid-Atlantic Power League (MAPL) at the end of the month as well as the Sunshine Classic and Northeast qualifiers.   117. [player_tooltip player_id='725446' first='Allison' last='Meyer'] middle (Courtland/[program_tooltip program_id='574146' first='108' last='Beach Volleyball Club']) - Allison earned a spot on the Class 4 Virginia state first team. Playing middle, she stood out as one of the key offensive performers for Courtland as they made a run to the finals of the Class 4 state championship. They eventually lost to three time state champion James Wood. Allison will play for [program_tooltip program_id='574146' first='108' last='Beach Volleyball Club'] this season. They recently finished in second place out of 13 teams at the River City Reindeer Rumble. They will play at the Shamrock Showdown at St. James in March.   132. [player_tooltip player_id='693822' first='Lucille' last='Tignor'] middle (Cox/757) - At 5'11" Lucille is considered a bit undersized for a middle. Despite that, she runs the quick tempo sets well. In the Endless Summer tournament, she collected 11 kills in the first match against Phillip Barbour. This was enough to earn her a spot on the Prep Dig Endless Summer all tournament team. For Cox she finished with the highest hitting percentage on the team at .422. She also led the team in blocks and finished fourth in kills. Lucille will play for 757 Black. They will compete in MAPL later in January.   136. [player_tooltip player_id='720080' first='Miller' last='Grimes'] middle (Covenant/[program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']) -At 6'1" Miller brings some height to the middle. Her play led Covenant to the Division II VISAA state championship. It seemed every time I did a weekly high school highlight [player_tooltip player_id='720080' first='Miller' last='Grimes'] was a name commonly mentioned. When you look at her performance at the end of the year it becomes quite clear. Miller finished with a hitting percentage of .465. She led the team in blocks, service aces and ranked second to the VISAA Division II player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='720073' first='Cara' last='Hamil'] in kills. In the VISAA division II championship match she also played a stellar back row, picking off three digs. It is not a surprise that Miller earned a spot on the All State first team in Division II of the VISAA.   171. [player_tooltip player_id='664150' first='Nalani' last='Applehans'] middle (Falls Church/Volley Viet) - One of the strengths of the Jaguars was their middles. They could dominate a game. [player_tooltip player_id='664148' first='Ainsley' last='Phillips'] graduated and will be go to Mary Washington to play basketball. Nalani still has one year left at Falls Church. She will play club at Volley Viet. The two finished one/two in kills, with Nalani finishing second. Nalani also finished second on the team in blocks but topped the team in hitting percentage. The Volley Viet 17 team does have some interesting names on their roster in [player_tooltip player_id='455177' first='Briana' last='Vo'] (Madison) and [player_tooltip player_id='248668' first='Eliana' last='Tamayo'] (Falls Church), two players who also appear in our rankings. Volley Viet will play at both National Harbor and Capitol Hill Classic.   174. [player_tooltip player_id='725693' first='Ellie' last='Simoes'] middle (Ireton/Braddock Road) - While Bishop Ireton did not have one of their best years, I came away impressed with the play of their 6'0" middle [player_tooltip player_id='725693' first='Ellie' last='Simoes']. Ellie finished first on the team in kills and second in blocks. She also put some mustard on her serves which led to 23 aces, third on the team. She played a strong middle for a Braddock Road team that finished third in a recent [program_tooltip program_id='511606' first='Vienna' last='Elite'] 17 Open tournament. They will be playing this weekend at the Volley by the James. A player worth keeping your eye on.   175. [player_tooltip player_id='664173' first='Vivi' last='Deans'] middle (Norfolk Academy) -At 6'1" Vivi brings some height to the middle. Her game is still a bit raw. She finished fifth on the team in kills and third in blocks. She did have the third highest hitting percentage on the team. Vivi appears to be an athletic player that also suits up for the Norfolk Academy basketball and soccer teams. She ranks as one of the top rebounders on the basketball team. That probably explains why she has no club foot print. She did make my top ten prospects on the rise but her multi-sport activity may hinder that.   179. [player_tooltip player_id='696425' first='Kennedy' last='Buchanan'] middle (Colgan/[program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - At 5'9" Kennedy is a smaller middle that relies on her timing and athleticism to play the position. She brings a nice vertical as well. She easily led the Sharks in blocks while also impressing in her redirects on balls hit over the net. This year was her first opportunity to play for the varsity and she killed it. Without her play in the middle Colgan would have found it tough to make states. This year Kennedy will play for [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']. They will play in the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore and the Shamrock Showdown in February at St. James.    180. Another [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] player. This past year Jordan played for a competitive North Stafford high school. Jordan and Kennedy will join [player_tooltip player_id='397397' first='Jasmine' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='778715' first='Kayla' last='Cotton'] to provide depth in the middle. Jordan also has the ability to hit right side. Almost all of the players on [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 rank somewhere in the class of 2026 top 200.   Jordan appears to bring a good attitude to the court. Confident about her game and willing to make the sacrifices that will give her team a victory. Those are the players you want on the court.   As mentioned above [program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy'] will play at the Charm City Callenge in Baltimore and at the Shamrock Showdown at St. James.    200. Colette Merker middle (Woodgrove/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - Colette is relatively new to the sport. She tried out for her high school team and probably more so because of her height at 6'0" and not her skill set she made the frosh. The following year she made vast improvement earning a spot on Virginia Juniors to share the middle blocking duties with [player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']. Looking for a little less in the travelling schedule she will play for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] this year where she again starts at middle. The [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] team recently shocked Metro 17 in the first tournament of the year making them the top ranked 17U team in the Chesapeake Region. The play of Colette in the middle helped capture the win and earn the top spot. [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] will next play in MAPL in Virginia Beach and at the Charm City Challenge tournament in Baltimore.

Below are ten middles added to our 2026 rankings. They are usually the first players you notice on the court because they are normally the tallest players. Yet once the game begins, they become invisible because it is the pin hitters who receive the most sets. The middles work hard moving from side to side to close the block. It is an unappreciated art. Without them defenses would be lost.

Middles are also normally the players taken out in the back row when the libero comes in. Some may get the chance to play beyond the three meter line when they serve but the back row is not a position middles play. For the most part you only see them on the court for three rotations. In the long run though they are invaluable to a team's success.

49. Kenzie Smith middle (Grafton/ East Coast Volleyball Club ) - Grafton made it to the finals of the class 3 Virginia State playoffs. Unfortunately, that is where they lost to two time defending champion Hidden Valley. Kenzie played middle and also moved to right side. At 6'2" she brings the potential to dominate the court. Her height allows her to put up a sound block whether she plays middle or right side. She made the Prep Dig DMV second team as a middle blocker. Kenzie led Grafton in blocks and finished second in kills. She will play for East Coast Volleyball Club . A player worth watching. East Coast will play in the Mid-Atlantic Power League (MAPL) at the end of the month as well as the Sunshine Classic and Northeast qualifiers.

117. Allison Meyer Allison Meyer 5'11" | MB Courtland | 2026 State VA middle (Courtland/ 108 Beach Volleyball Club ) - Allison earned a spot on the Class 4 Virginia state first team. Playing middle, she stood out as one of the key offensive performers for Courtland as they made a run to the finals of the Class 4 state championship. They eventually lost to three time state champion James Wood. Allison will play for 108 Beach Volleyball Club this season. They recently finished in second place out of 13 teams at the River City Reindeer Rumble. They will play at the Shamrock Showdown at St. James in March.

132. Lucille Tignor Lucille Tignor 5'11" | MB Cox | 2026 State VA middle (Cox/757) - At 5'11" Lucille is considered a bit undersized for a middle. Despite that, she runs the quick tempo sets well. In the Endless Summer tournament, she collected 11 kills in the first match against Phillip Barbour. This was enough to earn her a spot on the Prep Dig Endless Summer all tournament team. For Cox she finished with the highest hitting percentage on the team at .422. She also led the team in blocks and finished fourth in kills. Lucille will play for 757 Black. They will compete in MAPL later in January.

136. Miller Grimes Miller Grimes 6'1" | MB Covenant | 2026 State VA middle (Covenant/ Richmond Volleyball Club ) -At 6'1" Miller brings some height to the middle. Her play led Covenant to the Division II VISAA state championship. It seemed every time I did a weekly high school highlight Miller Grimes Miller Grimes 6'1" | MB Covenant | 2026 State VA was a name commonly mentioned. When you look at her performance at the end of the year it becomes quite clear. Miller finished with a hitting percentage of .465. She led the team in blocks, service aces and ranked second to the VISAA Division II player of the year Cara Hamil Cara Hamil 5'10" | OH Covenant | 2025 State VA in kills. In the VISAA division II championship match she also played a stellar back row, picking off three digs. It is not a surprise that Miller earned a spot on the All State first team in Division II of the VISAA.

171. Nalani Applehans Nalani Applehans 6'0" | MB Falls Church | 2026 State VA middle (Falls Church/Volley Viet) - One of the strengths of the Jaguars was their middles. They could dominate a game. Ainsley Phillips Ainsley Phillips MB Falls Church | 2025 State VA graduated and will be go to Mary Washington to play basketball. Nalani still has one year left at Falls Church. She will play club at Volley Viet. The two finished one/two in kills, with Nalani finishing second. Nalani also finished second on the team in blocks but topped the team in hitting percentage. The Volley Viet 17 team does have some interesting names on their roster in Briana Vo Briana Vo 5'4" | S James Madison | 2026 State VA (Madison) and Eliana Tamayo Eliana Tamayo 5'1" | S/DS/L Falls Church | 2025 State VA (Falls Church), two players who also appear in our rankings. Volley Viet will play at both National Harbor and Capitol Hill Classic.

174. Ellie Simoes Ellie Simoes 6'0" | MB Bishop Ireton | 2026 State VA middle (Ireton/Braddock Road) - While Bishop Ireton did not have one of their best years, I came away impressed with the play of their 6'0" middle Ellie Simoes Ellie Simoes 6'0" | MB Bishop Ireton | 2026 State VA . Ellie finished first on the team in kills and second in blocks. She also put some mustard on her serves which led to 23 aces, third on the team. She played a strong middle for a Braddock Road team that finished third in a recent Vienna Elite 17 Open tournament. They will be playing this weekend at the Volley by the James. A player worth keeping your eye on.

175. Vivi Deans middle (Norfolk Academy) -At 6'1" Vivi brings some height to the middle. Her game is still a bit raw. She finished fifth on the team in kills and third in blocks. She did have the third highest hitting percentage on the team. Vivi appears to be an athletic player that also suits up for the Norfolk Academy basketball and soccer teams. She ranks as one of the top rebounders on the basketball team. That probably explains why she has no club foot print. She did make my top ten prospects on the rise but her multi-sport activity may hinder that.

179. Kennedy Buchanan Kennedy Buchanan 5'9" | MB Colgan | 2026 State VA middle (Colgan/ 540 Volleyball Academy ) - At 5'9" Kennedy is a smaller middle that relies on her timing and athleticism to play the position. She brings a nice vertical as well. She easily led the Sharks in blocks while also impressing in her redirects on balls hit over the net. This year was her first opportunity to play for the varsity and she killed it. Without her play in the middle Colgan would have found it tough to make states. This year Kennedy will play for 540 Volleyball Academy . They will play in the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore and the Shamrock Showdown in February at St. James.

Jordan Ellis

MB/RS

HEIGHT 5'10"

POS MB/RS

CLASS 2026

View Player

Jordan Ellis

State: Virginia

School: North Stafford

Club: 540 Volleyball Academy

180. Another Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings player. This past year Jordan played for a competitive North Stafford high school. Jordan and Kennedy will join Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings and Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings Ten New Middles Added to the 2026 rankings to provide depth in the middle.…

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Highlights

200. Colette Merker middle (Woodgrove/ Blue Ridge ) - Colette is relatively new to the sport. She tried out for her high school team and probably more so because of her height at 6'0" and not her skill set she made the frosh. The following year she made vast improvement earning a spot on Virginia Juniors to share the middle blocking duties with Sydney Bennett Sydney Bennett 6'2" | MB Patriot | 2026 State VA . Looking for a little less in the travelling schedule she will play for Blue Ridge this year where she again starts at middle. The Blue Ridge team recently shocked Metro 17 in the first tournament of the year making them the top ranked 17U team in the Chesapeake Region. The play of Colette in the middle helped capture the win and earn the top spot. Blue Ridge will next play in MAPL in Virginia Beach and at the Charm City Challenge tournament in Baltimore.