Nebraska’s Stat-Stuffing 2023 Middle Blockers

Austin Kingsley September 16, 2021 @ 10:00 AM

As our position spotlight series rolls on during the early stages of the 2021 high school season, we now turn our attention to some junior middle blockers who are already making a big impact. It’s fair to say that the middle blocker spot is a strength of Nebraska’s 2023 class. So many of these athletes have already shown the potential to thrive at the next level. For now, though, they’re stuffing the stat sheets in the high school game. Let’s meet some of these high-caliber middles from the junior class.   [player_tooltip player_id="123534" first="Mady" last="Banitt"] - 6’0 MB - Waverly Banitt has been a crucial part of Waverly’s early-season success. Now that she is one of the veteran leaders for the Vikings, Banitt has stepped up and taken on a big role both offensively and defensively. She has been one of the most productive blockers among Nebraska’s 2023s and will be a major part of Waverly’s journey back to the state championships in 2021.   Megan Beutler - 5’10 MB - Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons-Decatur Beulter, along with a handful of other players in the BRLD frontcourt, has been a blocking machine so far this year. Few can match her output. This team will continue to face some stiff competition throughout the season, but I’m excited to see how players like Beutler develop and improve.   [caption id="attachment_118951" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-118951" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Haley-Wolfe.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Wolfe[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="59213" first="Haley" last="Wolfe"] - 6’2 MB - Elkhorn Elkhorn lost a lot of talented seniors from last year’s team, but newly-minted upperclassmen like Wolfe are rising to the occasion. This middle blocker is part of a solid junior class that should produce some big moments for the Antlers in the coming weeks. As these players get more experience, watch out for Elkhorn.   [player_tooltip player_id="103077" first="Rachel" last="Goodon"] - 6’3 MB - Adams Central Goodon’s strength is in the blocking phase, and that’s not too surprising given her imposing length at the net. Her reach and technique have allowed her to shut down some of the top hitters in her class, and Goodon is gaining momentum as the season goes along. Adams Central will surely lean on her abilities.   Kailey Hrbek - 6’1 MB - Elkhorn North Elkhorn North’s pin hitters get a lot of hype, but don’t forget about the menaces in the middle. Hrbek has put up some impressive figures in the kills column so far, and her blocking numbers are also rising at a good pace. The Wolves have already proven they deserve to compete with the state’s best. Players like Hrbek will help keep this new program near the top.   Amelia Roth - 6’1 MB - Omaha Marian Roth is a player who isn’t afraid to lead the offense from the middle blocker spot. It’s a tough thing to do, but she makes it happen. Marian can also rely on Roth for some stout defense and a lot of solid block touches. The Crusaders’ medley of youth and experience should help produce some continuous improvement.   Lexie Eckhoff - 5’9 MB - Axtell We’ve documented Axtell’s strong start on this site before, and Eckhoff has certainly had a hand in that success. She has been a steady contributor throughout her career with the Wildcats, and her constant improvement has been fascinating to watch. Keep tabs on Eckhoff and her team as they fight for postseason glory.