Unsigned Middles – 2021

Molly Orte-Thomas

March 23, 2021 @ 03:04 PM

They are tall, powerful, committed, versatile, aggressive and ranked among the top athletes in the state. Many of whom still have hopes of competing in college. As we near the halfway point for the club season don’t sleep on these desirable middle hitters who are unsigned (for now!) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/lights-crop-398x262-1616443936.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-136488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/lights-crop-398x262-1616443936-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="71954" first="Kinsey" last="Cronin"] - Northern Lights 18-Blacks/Medford (ranked #31) <ul> <li>Cronin has been a fixture in the Medford Tigers offense for the last several years and would have likely helped them onto the state tournament if there was one. Her sharp snap to the left are nearly impossible to defend. She has a strong court sense and always presents herself to the setter as an option. She used her impeccable timing and explosiveness this past weekend helping guide her Northern Lights team to 1st place in the Colorado Crossroads qualifier (earning a bid.) College fit: We can imagine her at a campus like Luther or UW Stevens Point.</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="58044" first="Maddie" last="DeMars"] - Kokoro/ Forest Lake (ranked #37) <ul> <li>The 6'1'' Kokoro athlete showed her dominance for her final high school season. She pounded down over 140 kills. Everything she does feels strong. DeMars could be molded into a incredible college athlete at any division. College Pathway: We would love to see her at UND or any smaller D1 school. Don't sleep on her; she's got what it takes to propel a program to the top.</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="72075" first="Nicole" last="Post"]- Coon Rapids (ranked #80) <ul> <li>The 6’4’’ middle from Coon Rapids is rumored to be choosing basketball in college, but until it is confirmed we hope this powerful player will continue on the volleyball court. She has great speed across the net and a solid press on her block. The right college coach could mold her into a dominant record holder for their program. College fit: She would be great for a school like Winona State or St Cloud University; she could easily be a key contributor basketball and volleyball.</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="116983" first="Paige" last="Erickson"] - SE MN Fusion/Chatfield (ranked #107) <ul> <li>Coming off a conference winning season, it makes sense that Erickson continues playing in college. The 5’9’’ middle is a work horse and will outhustle any opponent. We saw an improved attacker this year, as Paige ran more plays out of the middle. She could easily transition to an outside or right-side with her quick approach and solid passing. A college fit for this fleeting middle would be UW-Superior or Central Lakes College - she would bring instant offense.</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="84917" first="Zoie" last="Johnson"] - MN North/Esko (ranked #149)<img class="wp-image-136471 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/zoie-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="119" height="119" /> Can you say well-rounded?; Zoie plays Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and Track and Field while maintaining a 3.95 GPA. A six-footer with great coordination and natural ability. A true student of the game, Zoie is very coachable. She would be a great fit for Macalester, Lacrosse or any other institution with strong academics. "I want to attend a college that will push me to expand my knowledge and my ability to volleyball. I would like to attend a college with a good medical program so I can be on the right track to becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Life is short; Work Hard; Play Volleyball."