M1 Middles Take on Vegas
Mizuno M1 teams are well into their season. Setters are calling plays, liberos are making heroic saves, outsides are tallying ace after ace, and the middles are constantly on the move – ready to show off their talents at…
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Continue ReadingMizuno M1 teams are well into their season. Setters are calling plays, liberos are making heroic saves, outsides are tallying ace after ace, and the middles are constantly on the move – ready to show off their talents at SCVA Las Vegas Pres Day. This is the perfect event for middles hitters to display their talent. Afterall, people are drawn to Vegas for the bright lights, shows and big wins. Spectators and college coaches alike, want to be entertained by towering heights, thundering hits, and a copious amount of stuff blocks. This grand stage is made for the middle hitter, and M1 will bring an army ready to show the fans at the Southern California Volleyball Association what their middles can do.
Both 18’s teams will be there 18-1 and 18-2’s. The 18-1′s group of middles is collectively undersized compared to many they will see there; however, their athleticism will give them the edge offensively. Emma Honsa, out of Cretin Derham, is all muscle. She uses her strong frame to pound the ball down. Her biggest strength is her versatility having spent time in nearly every position. Emma has made her passion and desire to play at the college level know and recently committed to the University of St. Thomas.
Likewise, the 18-2’s have an all-around player with Grace Carlson, of Lakeville South . At 6′, she is used to playing both middle and outside. We anticipate that they will continue to use her more in the middle. She is especially effective with her powerful attacks out of the back row-middle. They set her lower and faster than most back row players, and she can nail the left and right back corner. Look for her to be the play maker blocking too with arms that seem to reach to the antenna.
Next up, the 17-1‘s have a growing star in Carissa Richie. This 2021 grad, amazes with her deep hits to the right corner. She loves turning the ball this direction and making setters play defense. Another one of her favorites, is running quick-hits (1’s) from the right side -into the middle. The Mound Westonka, junior will definitely help the 17’s draw a crowd!
If you have ever wondered by middle’s get taken out in the back row (besides the obvious), you need to see Minnetonka’s Sonja Dahlin in action. The six-foot middle is always on the move. One second she will be blocking right side, then she sprints to the setter for a slide. Playing middle is difficult because of the fast-paced movements. Coming out in the back-row allows her team tougher defense and helps her rest for the next round of action in the middle. When she steps into the front row, she does not stop working until her three rotations end.
Dixon Felknor
The 16-1’s have a trio working to keep the middle position strong. Led by the athleticism of Braiziah Dixon, height of Justina Felknor, and determination of Dori Hobbie. Their coaches must have taken the large team of eleven because he couldn’t pass up on having three talented middles. It will be an even effort from the three and will give them the edge in a long, tournament.
HobbieIt will be an exciting weekend of volleyball at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The event is hosted by arguably the best middle ever, Kerri Walsh. Of course, it wouldn’t be Vegas if there wasn’t a celebrity to two!