Rankings Update: MBs From ’23
Rankings updates mean a lot to us here at PD, and as we break down each position group, our top fives always seem to get a lot of attention. In this particular case, the middles for the 2023 class in…
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Continue ReadingRankings updates mean a lot to us here at PD, and as we break down each position group, our top fives always seem to get a lot of attention. In this particular case, the middles for the 2023 class in Indiana are all in the top ten for all positions and are considered can’t-miss prospects. Here you go!
#3: Gabby Dean Gabby Dean 6'5" | MB Columbus East | 2023 State #53 Nation IN , 6-4, Columbus East
Playing up an age level this past club season, Gabby makes a major difference in many areas for any team she plays for. For Gabby, my most recent view of her was at their scrimmage against Carmel, one of the top 15 teams in the state in 4A. Gabby was the only kid consistently putting balls away, hitting very few errors in the process, and her blocks went straight to the floor. She’s no lumbering middle at this size; Miss Dean can move with the best of them.
#4: Mya Ayro Mya Ayro 6'0" | OH Greenwood | 2023 State #189 Nation IN , 5-11, Greenwood
My most recent view of Miss Ayro was against Franklin Community, a conference rival. She carries a heavy arm and is, laterally, one of the fastest middles in any class. She projects to be an M1, with her attacks behind the setter just as terminal as in front. Greenwood is not normally known for their volleyball acumen, as evidenced by their misuse of her during the match I saw. However, despite the setback, Mya continued to give everything despite seeing double and triple blocks regularly.
#5: Emily Waddell Emily Waddell 6'0" | MB Carmel | 2023 State #137 Nation IN , 6-0, Carmel
Emily is this high because of her versatility. Long and lean, Miss Waddell projects as an M2 at the next level, and her ability to hit multiple shots in front of the setter set her apart from others on this list. If she’s beaten on the block, she makes up for it with consistent soft blocks, making the defense behind her able to pick up her efforts. Although she was paired against Miss Dean listed above, she hung with the larger middle and owned the shorter (6’2″) second middle for Columbus East during the scrimmage over a week ago.
#8: Ava Vickers Ava Vickers 6'0" | MB Fishers | 2023 State #107 Nation IN , 6-0, Fishers
Already owning wins over 4A top 15 McCutcheon and Carmel early this season, Miss Vickers is an M2 that gets up and transitions fast on the attack, while using her length to take advantage of the hitter when she’s blocking. A positive kid in character, her work ethic is apparent by her relentless nature regardless of the score. I’d like to see more of her in the near future, so a trip up to Fishers later this season might be in order to see her progress. Stay tuned.
#10: Cali Cummings Cali Cummings 6'1" | MB Seymour | 2023 State IN , 6-0, Seymour
COVID, or what I like to call Big ’Rona, has reared its ugly head with a couple of high school’s seasons so far this fall. Seymour is among them, having to cancel their scrimmage and first three matches this season. Their opener is against Bloomington North, then on to the tough Bloomington South Invitational this Saturday. That being said, Cali should be making an immediate impact upon return to the court, as she was pulled up to varsity after a brief stint owning everyone on JV last fall. Stay tuned with this one as well.