2025’s Middle Hitters To Watch

<p>The Class of 2025 in Michigan is proving to have some great middle hitting prospects.</p> <p>We saw a number of them step up at the varsity level already, and more are making waves during the club season.</p> <p>Here’s middle hitters you need to keep an eye on for this class going forward. (in alphabetical order).</p> <p><strong>Grace Allen, MVA: </strong>Allen has a long reach and displays good instincts at the net, both offensively and defensively.</p> <p><strong>Addison Ashley, Skyline/Michigan Elite</strong>: Ashley is able to time out her attacks to get the ball at the peak and plays different angles well. She’s also able to adapt well to sets that aren’t on point.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156285" first="Tina" last="Barnekova"], Rochester Adams/Michigan Elite: </strong>Barnekova is an athletic prospect that has great timing with her blocks. She’s really able to explode at the net.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"], SMCC/Michigan Elite</strong>: Costlow brings a lot of different skills to the position and is capable of playing almost anywhere. She’s an intense player that knows when to raise her game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="187070" first="Alayna" last="Esselink"], Richmond/Monsters: </strong>Esselink is a smart player with a big wind up. She covers a lot of ground for a middle and takes the play that’s available to her.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156299" first="Olivia" last="Grenadier"], Country Day/Legacy: </strong>Grenadier has great size and length and can deliver a very powerful attack. She’s able to make he attacks look effortless.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156301" first="Elyse" last="Heffner"], TC Central/FaR Out: </strong>Heffner spends time as an OPP during the prep season because she’s got great footwork and great form. She’s a very athletic middle option.</p> <p><strong>Jordyn Hughes, Portage Northern/Deadfrog</strong>: Hughes has a high ceiling as she’s very explosive at the net, but is also able to deliver powerful attacks on off sets.</p> <p><strong>Rylee Hunt, Unified</strong>: Hunt sticks with the play well and shows a lot of good quick-twitch reactions to plays that come her way.</p> <p><strong>Dylann Kelly, Jenison/FaR Out</strong>: Kelly has great size for a 2025 prospect and she has a good mixture of speeds on her attacks while reading opposing blockers well.</p> <p><strong>Amelia Klos, Anchor Bay/Monsters</strong>: Klos has made some nice strides in her game, showing more pop in her attacks and improved footwork along the net.</p> <p><strong>Madeline Montgomery, Huron/TeamD</strong>: Montgomery shows during prep season that she can play anywhere on the floor. She’s got a great finishing rate on her attacks and shows a high court IQ.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156320" first="Kaitlyn" last="Pallozzi"], Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Pallozzi is an intelligent player that keeps her eyes moving during the play. She’s able to deliver a fastball or an offspeed attack and mixes them up well.</p> <p><strong>Addison Pearce, Everest Collegiate/Unified</strong>: Pearce has a lot of good chemistry with her setters, which leads to some high-velocity attacks. She’s able to play the quick shots to beat the defense.</p> [caption id="attachment_170153" align="alignright" width="164"]<img class="wp-image-170153" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/12/90-Molly-Reck-253x300.jpg" alt="" width="164" height="194" /> [player_tooltip player_id="156325" first="Molly" last="Reck"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156325" first="Molly" last="Reck"], Northville/Legacy</strong>: Reck has a great family legacy for the position and has all the tools in her toolkit. Reck is athletic, intelligent and motivated to be great.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156334" first="Ella" last="Taatjes"], East Grand Rapids/MVA</strong>: Taatjes plays with a lot of effort and determination. She’s willing to go toe-to-toe with other hitters and is able to raise her game in big matches.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156340" first="Addison" last="Williams"], South Lyon East/Legacy</strong>: Another impressive 6-foot talent, Williams has the athleticism to play on the outside when needed as well. She’s got a fast arm with a long reach.</p>