Positional Breakdowns:Rising Middle Hitters

<p>As we are moving into the second week of the beginning of the season, I am going to take a dive into our middle hitters and their talents that are bringing light when they step onto the court.</p> <p>Middle hitters are just as important as the outside hitters and carry a similar, yet different set of skills when it comes to offensively playing and moving the ball well. </p> <p><strong>Paiton Lareau</strong>- Donovan High School</p> <p>Standing a 5’8", the junior MH, is currently leading Illinois in total blocks for this season as we move into the second week of the 21-22 season. Lareau currently leads with 28 blocks and is starting her season off with a relatively strong season, when it comes to her statistics. Laraeu is definitely still a developing athlete that has potential of rising into the elite athlete that she has the ability to do. Lareau has managed to progressively advance as an athlete throughout her career and that is the growth I am interested in when it comes to athletes and their overall progression. Lareau is going to be an athlete to continue watching this season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61705" first="Livia" last="Tate"]</strong>- Normal University High School </p> <p>Tate stands at 5’11"and is a rising elite athlete that continues to put her best foot forward to perfect her craft. Tate follows in 2nd in blocks on Illinois stat board with 26 blocks, most coming from the first week of the 21-22 season. Tate has a career total of 89 blocks and 151 kills, but is a strong blocker. Tate is powerful and moves across the court quickly and follows suit when needed. Tate is a reliable athlete when it comes to getting the job done. Tate is starting out her final season strong and I am excited to see the heat she brings this season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136608" first="Delanie" last="Voss"]</strong>- Illiana Christian High School </p> <p>Voss is a familiar name that manages to get her name on the stat leader list every week due to her athletic abilities and performance she brings to the table every game. Voss has managed to find herself 3rd in blocks for Illinois as she currently as 27* blocks for the season with playing  42 sets thus far. Voss is of to a strong start to her season and is only going to get better, because she is already getting her name out there and making stellar performances every time she steps foot out on the court. Voss is a well decorated athlete and she is only in her second year of her high school career. I am very interested in what she continues to bring to the table. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>