2026 Middle Hitters That Can Still Make A Big Splash

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Class of 2026, the battle to get attention is tense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An extremely talented class makes it difficult to set yourself apart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to middle hitters, there's a number that show a lot of potential to be great, and can still work their way toward the top of the rankings in the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["553159"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c5fb0c456a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='553159' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'] is a 6'2” hitter that has been able to dominate in the Upper Peninsula, and is playing club volleyball in Wisconsin to try and raise her game. She definitely looks like a prospect that should be drawing plenty of attention. She plays with power and speed, especially for her length. Hemmer can also play the right side. Along with explosive power, Hemmer is also a strong blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["643759"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c5fb0c45700"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='643759' first='Laynie' last='Russell'] is a 6'3” hitter that can slide to the right side and be effective with her powerful swing. She doesn't use a lot of effort, but still has a late shift in her technique that produces a lot of pop each time she contacts the ball. Russell also does a good job of coming down over the top of the ball to make it tough on defenses to get to the ball. The same goes for her blocking, as she's consistent and does use a lot of energy to play well above the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["226942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c5fc334b57a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='226942' first='Ashley' last='Verhey'] can play anywhere on the net and has been attacking heavily from all three locations while with Legacy this club season. The powerful left-handed hitter is very consistent in her approach and technique. When she is able to build a head of steam, she's sending a fastball toward defenders. It's easy to like the intensity Verhey plays with. Given her athleticism, she's someone that can be a utility hitter for programs and provide a lot of roster flexibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732282"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c5fd567c56e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'2” and a multi-sport talent, [player_tooltip player_id='732282' first='Kate' last='VanAppledorn'] still has a very high ceiling. She's got a good lift off the floor and moves very well across the net. That, combined with her wingspan, allows her to be a very disruptive player. VanAppledorn sees the court well and plays some smart attack angles, allowing her to finish at a high percentage. She's someone that has a lot of potential that college programs should be interested in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728154"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c5fe1e37e9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The P-W program has been able to produce some impressive talent the past few years as a D3 program, including multiple college prospects. [player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa'] could be next on that list. She's very agile and quick on her feet and shows great court awareness. Fedewa has a quick pop off her feet that leads, along with a quick swing that makes for a lot of power and speed. Due to her short swing, she can quickly adjust her attack angle and fool defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->