Middle Me This: Who’s the Big Block in the Class of 2021?

<p>Each team brings something different with their offense. You could see outside heavy hitters or a right-side quick swing; even teams that overuse the back-row pipe attack. Who stops it all? Big blocking middles is your answer.</p> <p>The senior class of middles could prove to be as important as any due to their growth spurt. Players are growing steadily and hopefully, after their junior club and high school season, they’ve seen enough fast play to learn how to transition to the pins. Possibly speeding up and outside to the corners of the net with the grace of a gazelle, but set the block with the stiffness of a concrete wall. Let’s hear it for the senior middle blockers!</p> <h3><strong>Ellie Kurpeikis, 2021, 6’2, MB, Marist</strong></h3> <p>In the Marist offense, the left and right side hitters are the key to their attack. Kurpeikis will be counted on to hold down the block as she was second on the team last year with 78, behind right side all-everything [player_tooltip player_id="61387" first="Camryn" last="Hannah"] with 106. Expect more balance in their offense with Kurpeikis possibly uplifting her hitting game to more than her 107 kills from 2019.</p> <h3><strong>Allie Belmonte, 2021, 5’11, MB, Fremd, Sky High</strong></h3> <p>In 2019, Belmonte’s hitting stats didn’t break the charts, but she had solid blocking stats. If she can keep that up, the more defensive stature you provide at the net can often translate into more offensive attacks, just based on merit alone.</p> <h3><strong>Addison Newborn, 2021, 5’10, MB, St. Teresa</strong></h3> <p>Another blocking middle, Newborn brings height and blocking talent to this IHSA 2A power. She will compliment her junior counterpart in the lineup. St. Teresa will use the middle more than most teams, so look for Newborn to be a first tempo threat as well.</p> <h3><strong>Olivia Hojnicki, 2021, 6’1, MB, St. Francis</strong></h3> <p>Hojnicki will be counted on to add stability to a St. Francis roster that loses six players from last years team. Her added size in the middle will force the opponent outside with the ball.</p> <p><strong style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.75rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="61567" first="Rebecca" last="Ratajczyk"], 2021, 5’10, MB, Joliet Catholic<br /> </strong>Ratajczyk returns to be the middle stopper in the Angels defense. She has had plenty of playing opportunities in 2019 and should be primed and ready to take flight this fall.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>