Southwest Michigan’s 2026 Game Changers, Part 1

<!-- 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>Southwest Michigan is continuing to build steam as one of the hotbeds for volleyball talent in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 is loaded with players that can be among the best in the state heading into the 2025 prep season. Here's part one of our two-part look at Southwest Michigan's top soon-to-be-senior talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732295' first='Taegan' last='Anderson'], S Harper Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multi-sport talent, Anderson brought out a lot of great swings for the Harper Creek offense this past fall. She mixed up the locations for the attack and utilized a bevvy of athletic hitters. While Anderson was better for the talent around her, they were also better for her play. She should come into the 2025 prep season with a lot of confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490361' first='Aleah' last='Brackett'], S/RS Bronson/Empowered</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brackett has been a great finisher at the net for Bronson, but aspires to be a setter at the next level and is working hard to improve on her skills at that position. However, her versatile skillset makes it tough for teams not to utilize her great swing. What that says is that Brackett has incredible talents that teams can utilize and she's in store for a big fall one way or another.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Macey Brown, OH Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a name that has been quietly under the radar for the class. She had a great year in 2024 for Mattawan and was a Third Team All-State selection. Brown was very savvy in her attacks, scoring often by outthinking the defense instead of just relying on power. She's also a sound defender that can rack up a lot of digs in quick fashion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='631464' first='Mya' last='Eberlein'], MB/RS Edwardsburg/NIVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eberlein is a 6'2” prospect playing her club ball in Indiana and making a lot of improvements in her game. Her length at the net already puts her in an elite class, but she's continuing to get faster and more powerful with her play. Her blocking has been very disruptive for opponents and her overall game should continue to grow with more and more reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks'], MB Loy Norrix/Dead Frog</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The very explosive and powerful 6'2” middle out of Loy Norrix is already committed to Big Ten program, USC. Hanks has been working on the right side as well at times, as her quickness and timing allows her to make a lot of different shots at a lot of different angles. She's really hit another gear with her play in the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490350' first='Maddie' last='Jipping'], RS Hamilton/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-foot, left-handed power hitter, Jipping is already committed to Oakland University. She plays long at the net and can deliver on some thunderous attacks on the right side. Her follow through has a lot of acceleration, and the timing of her swing has improved over the last year. She's a handful for any opposing team to deal with right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->