<p>With Assumption’s [player_tooltip player_id="68016" first="Rylee" last="Rader"] and Sacred Heart’s [player_tooltip player_id="68021" first="Kristen" last="Clemons"] moving on via graduation, new middle blockers are poised to lead in the 7th Region during the 2020 high school volleyball season. </p>
<p>Here are five 7th Region middle blockers to watch. </p>
<p><strong>Caroline Cermack:</strong> A junior middle blocker, Cermack is a student-athlete from Assumption High School. Cermack helped Assumption capture its third consecutive state championship during the 2019 season, appearing in most of the Rockets’ matches. Logging 100-plus kills, Cermack made an impact at the net as a junior. Consistent and reliable, Cermack routinely uses quick attacks on offense and blocks opponents’ shots regularly. </p>
<p><strong>Carly Furlong:</strong> A junior middle blocker, Furlong is a student-athlete from Sacred Heart Academy. Furlong contributed for Sacred Heart Academy throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, registering 143 kills and 44 blocks over 39 matches. A solid communicator, Furlong, a senior-to-be, works efficiently in tandem with teammates and moves well.</p>
<p><strong>Julianna Hakel:</strong> A junior middle blocker, Hakel is a student-athlete from Eastern High School. Hakel was among the leaders for Eastern during the 2019 prep volleyball season, finishing with 152 kills and a team-high 71 blocks. With a strong skill set, Hakel, a senior-to-be, reads setters well and is a proven blocker.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68079" first="Mykole" last="Morgan"]:</strong> A junior middle blocker, Morgan is a student-athlete from Seneca High School. Quite possibly the most underrated high school volleyball player in Louisville, Morgan is due to surge as a senior. Morgan, a strong blocker who helped to pace Seneca throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, elevates consistently and has the ability to cover a large portion of the net. </p>
<p><strong>Madison Rice-Locket:</strong> A sophomore middle blocker, Rice-Locket is a student-athlete from Male High School. Rice-Locket led Male throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season and ranks as one of the top high school volleyball players in the state. A Second Team All-State selection in 2019, Rice-Locket, a junior-to-be, possesses exceptional athleticism and is one of Kentucky’s most tenacious high school volleyball blockers. </p>
