Top Available Middles Who Excel at Defense
Middles have a tough job. They need to be fast yet powerful and have a lot of coordination. A good middle can be instrumental in the success of a team. A lot of focus can be put on the offensive…
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Continue ReadingMiddles have a tough job. They need to be fast yet powerful and have a lot of coordination. A good middle can be instrumental in the success of a team. A lot of focus can be put on the offensive side of being a middle, but they are also critical to having a strong defense. Having a consistent and closed block is extremely challenging but can be a huge factor in the success of her teammates on defense behind her.
Additionally, for at least half a rotation, a middle needs to be in the back row as the libero can only serve for one person. Sometimes teams just look over that rotation but I have seen some middles this season who are also very talented passers. Having that consistency in the back row can be a great asset for competitive teams.
Here are the top available middles who excel at defense:
Riley Kindt (Motion 17 Blue, Prep Dig Rank #47)
Riley has a huge vertical and is a dynamic front row athlete. She has speed and can close blocks to the pin consistently. Additionally, she has a decent serve and looks natural on defense. She is clearly a talented all-around player and is an asset to her team in the front row and the back.
Emma Mans (FC Elite 16 Navy, Prep Dig Rank #20)
Emma is an incredibly powerful hitter. She can pound a ball into tomorrow. But she also puts up a nearly impenetrable and controlled block. Her strong fundamentals set her apart from many middles and she is extremely impactful for her team.
Riley Dahlquist (Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold, Prep Dig Rank #26)
Riley is fast in transition in the front row. She is great in scrappy plays and is a great force at the net. She also has a powerful serve and passes well. Her speed and good form make her a good defender both while blocking and if she is in the back row.
Britten Bertagnoli (Capital 15 Adidas)
Britten is a strong blocker and does her job as a middle well. She is focused on the court, allowing her to read and react to sets quickly and deliver an impactful block. Britten consistently sets the rest of her team’s defense up for success.
Lauren Sitter (Motion 16 Blue, Prep Dig Rank #72)
Lauren is extremely consistent. She closes the block and has great form. A ball rarely makes its way through her hands or in between her and a pin. Lauren also adjusts her block well to the speed and distance of opposing setters.
Elizabeth Danelski (Midwest Penguins 16-Black, Prep Dig Rank #76)
Elizabeth is a strong blocker who has a great vertical. She is dynamic in the front row and closes the block well. She squares well to the net making her a tough opponent to play against.
There are so many talented athletes in the club world, and it seems there is more and more every year. These six players have definitely stood out defensively over the past few months. A strong middle is necessary for a team to be successful and each of these athletes has a huge impact on their respective teams.