Indiana Rankings Updated: Let’s Look At The Top Five MBs of ’21

<p>With our recent release of Indiana’s updated 2021 rankings, we delve a little deeper by singling out our top five middles for the class.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85695" first="Kayden" last="Holcomb"], 5-10, Union 17 Asics, Floyd Central, Prep Dig #28</strong></p> <p>Although one of my colleagues has already written about Kayden back in January for the Louisville side of things, I list her in Indiana because of the high school she attends. Union does, however, play in the Pioneer Region in USA, so we’re both right. At any rate, I like fast, athletic middles. Kayden is light on her feet, can hit multiple shots, and beats the lumbering middles in this area with ease. A lot of folks are shying away from her because of her size. In this day and age of volleyball, it’s hard to teach this level of speed and athleticism.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85697" first="Delaney" last="Garner"], 6-1, Academy 17 Elite Tsunami, Hamilton Southeastern, Prep Dig #30</strong></p> <p>A heavy-armed, do-everything middle is what Delaney brings to the table. At first glance, one might think she’s one of those lumbering middles I alluded to in the paragraph above. Au contraire. Miss Garner touches almost ten feet, can close to both pins quickly, and terminates every time she swings. Add to the fact that Delaney’s high school team made it to the state championship match last fall, and you can imagine the hunger with which she wants to win it all. I’m really looking forward to watching the Royals play this fall.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93687" first="Anna" last="West"], 6-1, Cougar VBC, Greensburg, Prep Dig #32</strong></p> <p>Anna is a recent addition to the rankings, mostly because of (1) how small her club team is, and (2) her high school not exactly on the Indiana volleyball map until recently. Miss West is another heavy hitter, but can also play both pins, making her a little more marketable than the two listed above. The only thing Anna needs to vault over them is a little more high-level experience. Another ten-foot jumper, this is a steal of a prospect, in this author’s humble opinion.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85700" first="Jaylynn" last="Dunsmore"], 6-0, Munciana 17 Pandas, Yorktown, Prep Dig #34</strong></p> <p>All of these middles have skill. All of these middles have power. But do all of these middles make regular runs to the state title match? Yorktown is known for that in these parts, and with Munciana in their backyard, they have no excuse not to be in contention every year. It’s unfortunate that they happen to be in the same sectional as perennial state power New Castle, but that’s the nature of Indiana high school ball. Jaylynn is, again, a high-level, smart, powerful middle that can do just about anything you ask. If there’s one year that Yorktown can leapfrog New Castle, it’s this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85705" first="Paris" last="Downing"], 5-9, Circle City 17 Purple, Avon, Prep Dig #40</strong></p> <p>Did I mention I like fast, athletic middles? None have a higher vertical jump than Paris, and none are quicker. I’m sure she could play multiple positions in the front row, but why move her? She’s so adept at being faster and jumping higher than everyone else, it would be a waste to have her move away from that. This is another steal in this class, and this author is looking forward to watching the Orioles play in the fall.</p>