April’s Class of 2026 Prospect Roulette

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Prep Dig Michigan will be hosting two Showcase events on Sunday, Aug. 3. You can now register for the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1540/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> or the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1521/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em>. Use code “EllisDig2025” to get $10 off your registration.*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April's edition of Prospect Roulette now moves on to the Class of 2026, a very deep and talented group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's how it works: I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 2026 rankings. I'll generate 10 numbers and the 10 that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's 200 ranked prospects in our Class of 2026. Let's see which lucky ones got their number drawn this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>32. [player_tooltip player_id='446694' first='Amelia' last='Gagnon'], OH/DS West Catholic/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gagnon has had a really nice club season, showcasing her value as a hitter and a defender. She's been able to spread the ball out over the opponent's side pretty well, finishing at a solid rate. Gagnon also has been displaying a great back-row attack while still being an elite-level defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>50. [player_tooltip player_id='747097' first='Darby' last='Crystal'], MB/RS Davison/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2” hitter that can play multiple positions, Crystal is tapping into another gear this club season. She's showing better timing and a lot more comfortability in her swing. She still shows room to grow, which should be promising for college programs looking for a player of her size and agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>147. [player_tooltip player_id='525571' first='Cierra' last='Betson'], DS/L Unionville-Sebewaing/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betson has done a nice job of improving her stock this club season, as she's been a dig machine for Five:1. Her movement in the back row is with purpose and intent, which has led her to be in command of her defense. That should inspire a lot of confidence heading into her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>123. [player_tooltip player_id='490354' first='Charlee' last='Cochran'], OH Jenison/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cochran has shown the ability to finish from either pin. She's got good speed with her arm and does a nice job of making high contact. Her swing looks more and more effortless with each month, which shows she's playing more on instinct.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>68. [player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'], MB OLSM/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs has been a steady middle that plays well in all aspects of her position. She's got consistent power, is an aggressive blocker, and stays locked in for each point. She plays longer than her 5'11” listing, and is a prospect that can take over a match when she gets on a roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>56. [player_tooltip player_id='445679' first='Taylor' last='Dahms'], MB Saline/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dahms stands 6'3” but has the athleticism to play the outside, right side, or middle. She can generate a lot of pop without needing much forward momentum, and she plays an aggressive ball very consistently. Her footwork allows her to be very disruptive with her blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>108. [player_tooltip player_id='310635' first='Taniya' last='Radden'], MB/OH Ottawa Hills/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Radden is only listed at 5'9”, but you wouldn't know that she's giving up inches in the middle by the way she plays. She's got great hang time and her timing and tempo keep improving to make her a very viable scorer. Radden is showing improved swings and decision-making, leaving her with the potential to continue to move up the ladder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>20. [player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra'], OH Country Day/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hiemstra had a huge breakout year this fall for Country Day, leading the Yellowjackets to a state title. She showed she can be a dominant six-rotation outside and excel in pressure situations. The Columbia commit can come through with a key kill or defensive play at any moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='553159' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'], MB Ishpeming/FC Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest-rising talents in this class, Hemmer shot up the rankings in our latest release by dominating the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin club scene. A Baylor commit, the 6'2” Hemmer isn't just a big fish in a small pond, she's a shark no matter where you put her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>133. [player_tooltip player_id='490361' first='Aleah' last='Brackett'], RS/S Bronson/Empowered</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brackett is a dynamic hitter that has been wanting to take a chance to showcase her ability as a setter, but teams value her arm so much it has been challenging to get her reps at setter. Her overall athleticism and feel for the game are why she's so valuable anywhere on the floor, but also bodes well for her succeeding as a floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->