Flint Area’s Elite Eight 2026 Prospects

<!-- 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>In the Class of 2026, the Flint area is bringing a lot of heat on the volleyball court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has been one of the strongest from the area in some time, including multiple Division 1 commits already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at eight talents from the area that have established themselves as some of the best in the state for the Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Madelyn Ciesielski, S Linden/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linden has been able to hold its own in the Flint area thanks to the play of their setter, Ciesielski. She's been able to show good deception in her play to keep defenses off guard and unbalanced. Her location continuously improves, and she seems to know the right time to play a dump and shift momentum. Ciesielski also is a talented defender and server.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747097' first='Darby' last='Crystal'], MB/RS Davison/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2” prospect that can play the middle or the right side, Crystal is a player that should be catching a lot of attention from college programs as she enters her senior season. She's tapped into another gear in her game this club season, adding some power to an already powerful attack. Her timing and court vision have also improved, allowing her to be incredibly difficult to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243338' first='Addison' last='Dunning'], OH/DS Davison/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunning is a player that can do it all. She's an offensive threat and a defensive asset for her teams. She's shown this club season that she can take over a match with her attacks, spreading the ball around the defensive end while changing up her velocity. She's already been an elite defender, so this is just adding to her game and making her case that she can be a six-rotation outside at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226895' first='Jillian' last='Ferrill'], OH/RS Lake Fenton/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferrill is a very talented athlete that has a diverse set of skills. She's excelled in the past as a setter, but now is dominating as a hitter on either pin. The 6'1” Illinois State commit has a great feel for the game and times out her attacks well. Her experience as a setter allows her to anticipate where the sets will come from, giving her a good swing at the ball more times than not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'], OH Frankenmuth/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Hillsdale commit, Geer brings a lot of competitive fire to the team and her energy is often contagious for her teammates. Geer is fearless at the net. At 5'9”, she packs quite a punch with her attacks. She isn't going to back down from any blocker or opposing hitter, as her energy and endurance allow her to play among the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226907' first='Eva' last='Long'], S Fenton/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A commit to N.C. State, Long has been one of the best setters nationally in this class for many years. She's gotten an opportunity to play on the highest national stages and came out looking like a star. A clear leader that's not afraid to take charge, Long has also been one of Fenton's top hitters as she helped lead her team to Kellogg Arena last fall. Her all-around skills will play nicely for the Wolfpack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226913' first='Abbigayl' last='Sells'], DS/L Lake Fenton/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sells has been impressing folks in the Flint area for years with her ability to make some very challenging digs. She's got a keen eye for where to be and her instincts tend to put her in the right place to get in good position to dig up the ball. Sells won't give up on a play and does a great job of backing up her hitters as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442613' first='Lily' last='Sukup'], OH/S Goodrich/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sukup is another talent from the area that can be put anywhere on the floor, and she is going to be one of the top players. She can set, defend, and hit. This club season, Sukup has really shown just how dynamic an outside she can be. What's been the most exciting for Sukup, is her play has peaked at the end of the club season. She keeps adding to her game and is ready to put her full skillset on display this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->