Five 2021 Under Radar Middles

<p>Here are five 2021 middles that competed well for their respective teams in 2019 and are poised for a breakout season this fall. With improved skills and stock rising potential, each brings something to the floor that should provide a big impact, whether it be their offense, blocking, or versatility to swing through a variety of attack points. They are all worth a good look this fall.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58041" first="Chessa" last="Devine"] - 6’2 | New Prague</strong><br /> Devine was a very active part of New Prague’s effort in 2019. She continues to develop all of her game, which should increase her productivity and effectiveness this fall. She has good transition awareness getting off the net and when on time and with good spacing she can swing aggressively while also utilizing off speed placement when available or needed. At this point she may be a better blocker than attacker although these areas have both improved for her. She is patient with good vision that helps her close the block well and she uses her length well to fill up space in the air. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72094" first="Madelyn" last="Gregory"] - 5’11 | Willmar</strong><br /> One of the best big school programs outside the greater metro area, Willmar will be fun to watch this fall. Gregory could be the x-factor as they return veteran skill and experience in their ball control, setting, and pin attackers. By increasing her effectiveness and impact offensively from the middle this will open up their offense more and provide the balance that will help them be successful. Gregory works hard to make herself available and continues to develop her offensive range to swing on a quick attack as well as overhead on the slide when the setter is front row. She has good mobility to close the block that helps the defense react well to the ball coming over the net. She deserves attention among her highly touted teammates.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71968" first="Haley" last="Muenchow"] - 6’0 | Russel-Tyler-Ruthton</strong><br /> Muenchow is an athletic middle with good versatility to play all the way around and swing on the pins if needed. She was a big part of the RTR offense and defense a year ago and will again be a critical factor in 2020. She gets her elbow back well and uses her arm speed through her swing that can generate some good pace on the ball. She opens to the ball well also, which allows her to swing through a big range of the court. Her size is a bonus as well as she has a high contact point in the air while being able to pursue the ball with good range in the back row.</p> <p><strong>Elizabeth O’Callaghan - 5’10 | Maple Grove</strong><br /> O’Callaghan has been a good utility type of athlete for Maple Grove as she saw ample offensive opportunity both from the middle and right side position. She understands footwork and momentum build well for both positions. She gets up relatively well and opens to the setter in the air to swing aggressively on a quick attack while also showing good patience to wait longer for a higher tempo from the right pin. She has good balance in the air and gets her elbow back that helps create her power. Maple Grove has a solid core of athletes returning and should compete well in 2020. O’Callaghan contributes well to their depth of offensive options.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="83920" first="Carissa" last="Richie"] - 6’0 | Mound Westonka</strong><br /> Playing for M1s top 17s this club season will certainly benefit Richie’s effort this fall. She continues to show really good court awareness, especially in transition and identifying dig location to create the proper relationship with the setter and make herself a viable offensive option often. She elevates well and has a good offensive range through multiple quick attack points along the net. She opens to the ball well with good balance in the air. Defensively she sees the ball well to align her arm and hand work upon the attacker when swing blocking. Richie has good versatility as her skill set can be very effective at the opposite position as well.</p>