Kansas Tall Timber: The Top Ranked ’21 Middle Hitters

<p>There is an old saying among coaches, “You can’t make players taller, but you can coach tall players.”</p> <p>To control the net in volleyball height helps. Tall players who can jump out of the gym are extra special. “Kansas Tall Timber” is a regular planned feature for Kansas Prep Dig that will focus on tall players who control the middle of the court.</p> <p>For the first edition of Tall Timber, here is a look at the highest-ranked middle hitters in the initial Class of 2021 rankings.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="105483" first="Sarah" last="Bingham"], 6’3”, Shawnee Mission East (Ranked No. 3)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">– No pun intended but Bingham has long limbs. She has a huge reach and a nice follow through. She has verbally committed to the University of Illinois.</span></p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><b style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="105486" first="Keyana" last="Cruse"], 6’1", Bonner Springs (Ranked No. 6) -- </b><span style="font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 400;">Cruse will continue her volleyball career playing for the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She has a solid net presence, a huge reach, and will be a nice addition to the Rebels program.</span></strong></p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="105492" first="Erin" last="Garr"], 6’0”, Bishop Miege (Ranked No. 12)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 400;">– Garr is a big hitter for Bishop Miege. Like Jenna Zydlo she plays club ball with Dynasty 17 Black. She can also serve as a right-side hitter. Garr has verbally committed to play volleyball at Stony Brook University.</span></strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="105495" first="Jenna" last="Zydio"], 6’0”, Basehor Linwood (Ranked No. 15) –</strong> Zydio is an explosive athlete. She has 31” ver<span style="font-size: 1rem;">tical jump and hammers the ball with authority. She played club ball with Dynasty 17 Black. She has verbally committed to play college ball at West Florida.</span></p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="105500" first="Justine" last="Bichelmeyer"], 6’2”, St. James Academy (Ranked No. 20)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 400;">– Bichelmeyer continues to improve her skill levels. She plays one of the most successful programs in the state and will take her game to Central Missouri University.</span></strong></p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Alli Frank, 6’0”, Spring Hill (Ranked No. 22)</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">– Frank is the second-ranked player from Spring Hill in the initial rankings and he highest ranked middle hitter. She has a 99 Standing Reach and works well near the net. She has verbally committed to Baker University.</span></p>