Position Rankings Update: 2028 Middle Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, our <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 player rankings</a> were updated, expanding the total prospects to triple digits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the updated middle hitter rankings in this talented class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32924","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697e3bc5041ff"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top 5 2028 Middle Hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews'], Mercy/Legacy: </strong>Andrews really took a big step forward in the last year, as her emergence helped propel Mercy to a state title this fall. At 6'5”, she a dominant blocker, but her footwork and agility make her a massive weapon on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon'], GR Christian/MVA: </strong>McKinnon also had a big fall to put some added spotlight on her. At 6'2”, McKinnon brings a big reach to the net, but she's got a lot of explosiveness that allows her to deliver unstoppable attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'], Marian/Michigan Elite: </strong>Gibson continues to add new facets to her game and show growth as a decision-maker. She consistently is tested against the best in the state and learns from each experience. Look for big things from Gibson in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters'], Byron Center/FaR Out: </strong>Deters showed a great finishing rate this fall while playing against a lot of top competition. Her blocking instincts are also at a high level, making her a very impactful middle prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='584595' first='Jamie' last='Smith'], Cass Tech/Legacy: </strong>Smith is able to play in the middle or the outside and be a consistent finisher. She has great mechanics and arm speed, which leads to a lot of velocity on her attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809557' first='Brooklyn' last='Beardsley'], Lake Fenton/Michigan Elite: </strong>Beardsley shows a lot of different skills for the position and she does a nice job of staying within herself and not forcing a big swing when it isn't there. She will keep improving as her timing gets quicker and quicker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582914' first='Ellie' last='Kileen'], GRCC/MVA: </strong>A 6'1” middle that can also play the right side, Kileen shows a lot of promise as a prospect. Her confidence has grown over the last year, which has brought more intensity to her swing and improved instincts for where to put the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728850' first='Emme' last='Dorchy'], Royal Oak/Michigan Elite: </strong>Dorchy didn't shy away from moving to the outside and taking on a big workload for Royal Oak. She can excel at either spot, but her development as an outside will also make her a better middle at the same time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846725' first='Clover' last='Nash'], Lake Orion/Legacy: </strong>Nash is really settling in to her middle position now and adding new facets to her game. She's doing a better job of mixing up her shot speeds and locations, while her blocking coverage has also improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746527' first='Evelyn' last='Engelhardt'], Garber/Michigan Elite: </strong>A 6-foot middle that provides Garber with a lot of firepower at the net, Engelhardt has shown a good knack for coming through with a momentum-swinging kill. She's also been adding more speed and tempo to her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->