2025 Rankings Update: Top 10 Middle Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past week saw the release of our latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 Player Rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a deep class with a lot of promising talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle hitters in this class have already been able to make a splash nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'], Country Day/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grenadier has already left an impact nationally with a club national title as a key piece in last year's run for Legacy's 15s. This fall, she had to step up due to injuries at Country Day. She came through with 367 kills while hitting a dominant .460. She also added 57 blocks and 230 digs. Grenadier has a lot of confidence, and for good reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'], Bedford/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray has developed into one of the state's premier blockers. She had 172 during the fall season with Bedford. She also hit .500 on offense with 319 kills while also tallying 179 digs and 61 aces. He growth in the last year has been eye-opening and a sign of big things ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], Cass City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ignash is an impressive athlete at 6'2”. This last fall she showed the speed, quickness and footwork to play anywhere on the floor. However, middle is where she can truly dominate. For Cass City, Ignash recorded 518 kills with nearly 100 blocks and 328 digs. She's going to be a dominant force in Division 3 for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156334' first='Ella' last='Taatjes'], East Grand Rapids/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taatjes plays longer than her 6-foot listing would indicate. She is very good at getting to the ball at a peak, while being able to adjust her arm angles to get past a block. Taatjest also attacks at a variety of shot angles and does so with consistent power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288946' first='Alana' last='Bailey'], East Kentwood/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey is already a battle-tested middle as just a sophomore and she has been using that experience to sharpen the edges of her game. This club season is a chance to show how far along she has come. Bailey shows a great mixture of athleticism and explosiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'], South Lyon East/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is part of a great core of 2025 players at South Lyon East. At 6'1”, Johnson is able to play long at the net defensively, but she also has a lot of arm speed to utilize on offense. This past fall, Johnson showed her development by mixing in a lot of successful offspeed shots that found a home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams'], South Lyon East/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another long middle at 6'2”, Williams was able to hit .315 during the fall season for the Cougars. By the end of the season, she really was finding her place within the offense and her confidence brought a new level to her game. Williams reads the floor well and has solid timing with her setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231189' first='Josie' last='Noble'], Caledonia/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noble was another middle that had an impressive 2022 fall season, hitting .328 for Caledonia. Noble tallied 168 kills with 66 blocks. Her swing doesn't need much adjusting or improvement, as she's got the timing and smoothness to deliver a lot of velocity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224599' first='Avery' last='Powers'], Coopersville/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powers was a great addition to the Coopersville front line this past season. She added length and athleticism to the middle position. Powers' grew in confidence as the season went on, showing a little more intensity and consistency with her finishing ability. Look for her to be a breakout player next fall with a larger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'], Traverse City Central/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heffner is a middle that has shown she can also paly on the outside. She took on a big role for TC Central this fall and looked very comfortable in doing so. Heffner had a good feel for offspeed plays and attack angles and wasn't afraid to command the ball. Those traits should only help her grow as a middle for this club season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->