Top Middle Blockers: 2022

These six middle blockers know how to dominate at the highest level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13317052/Tess-Masingale">[player_tooltip player_id="91207" first="Tess" last="Masingale"]</a>, 6’3", MB, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Masingale had a standout sophomore season, competing with the Jesuit High School Crusaders. As a freshman, she was swung up to Varsity but did not see much court time as they had two senior middles, Alyssa Hughes (Gonzaga) and Lauren McCabe (Seattle). However, during the offseason she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, being the only freshman to make the 16-1 team. Competing at that high of a level all club season, she came back in the fall ready to dominant. Being the starting middle, she totaled 188 kills on the season; hitting a .363, and 30 blocks. She was awarded Metro First Team All-League. During the 6A State Championship, she was awarded Most Valuable Player/Player of the Game and All-Tournament First Team, raking up 16 kills and 7 blocks. She also made the 2019 AVCA Phenom List. With her 6’3” stature she is an intimidating presence for her opponents who have to figure out how to get the ball around her strong block. Not only can she put up a great block, but runs an incredibly quick offense, and is a go-to attacker as she is able to consistently put the ball away. Currently, she is back at Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 16-1 team. <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/portland/catlin-gabel-school/sophie-scott1">[player_tooltip player_id="91209" first="Sophie" last="Scott"]</a>, 6’3", MB, Catlin Gabel School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Scott had a stellar sophomore season, helping Catlin Gabel with a fourth-place finish for the 3A State tournament. She was awarded Lewis and Clark First Team All-League as well as Second Team All-State. Though it is not often seen with middle blockers, during her high school season she had the opportunity to play six rotations due to her exceptional ball control. She also made the 2019 AVCA Phenom List. An incredibly athletic middle, she touches 10 feet, she has the ability to be quick in transition making herself available to her setters consistently. When given the ball she reaches high and swings fast, making her hard to defend. While she is versatile in what she can hit, most impressive is her slide attack which she can nail down the line with ease. When not on the court, she is on the CEVA Advisory Council as she is passionate about mental health in volleyball players. She is currently playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13951829/MacKenzie-Berger">[player_tooltip player_id="91215" first="MacKenzie" last="Berger"]</a>, 6’1", MB, Gaston High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Berger took the 2A volleyball world by storm this past season, playing for Gaston High School, with about 250 students total, she was an unstoppable force. Playing all six rotations as both an outside and middle, she helped the Greyhounds finish 14th in the State. With her athleticism and coachability, she has made significant improvements to her game in the span of a year and a half. Touching 10”2’ with a whip of an arm she is able to bounce balls at the 9-foot line. She is currently playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/marley-hardgrave/Pth78MqAEemAzfp8ouYFiw/default.htm">[player_tooltip player_id="91226" first="Marley" last="Hardgrave"]</a>, 6’3", MB, Bend Senior High School, North Pacific Juniors Bend Hardgrave had an outstanding sophomore season playing middle blocker for the Bend Lavabears, helping them finish 13th in the 6A State tournament. With her 6’3” stature, she creates a wall her opponents try to get through and attacks with ferocity. Watching Hardgrave play, she brings positive energy to the court that is infectious. She is currently playing for North Pacific Juniors Bend 16-A. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13625724/Emma-Burlingame">[player_tooltip player_id="91227" first="Emma" last="Burlingame"], </a>6’0", MB, Mountainside High School, Athena Volleyball Academy Burlingame was the only freshman to make the Mountainside varsity squad in 2018, becoming their starting middle blocker. She came back this past season just as dominant, racking up 77 blocks on the season. She helped the Mavericks secure a third-place finish in the 6A State tournament. What makes Burlingame so effective is her ability to turn the ball quickly and her high court awareness, seeing holes in the other team’s defense. She is currently playing for Athena Volleyball Club’s 16-1 Gold team. <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/salem/north-salem-high-school/isabella-snyder2">[player_tooltip player_id="91228" first="Isabella" last="Snyder"]</a>, 5’11", MB, North Salem, North Pacific Juniors Snyder may be an undersized middle but is highly effective, using her fast arm swing and explosive approach to dominate. This past high school season Snyder was seen more on the outside than the middle and was awarded Mid-Willamette Second Team All-League for her exceptional play. She is currently playing for North Pacific Juniors 16-1.