Skyline Classic #1: The Middle Blockers – 17s
The club volleyball season had few, but quite exciting tournaments in the few weeks between the end of the high school calendar and the Holidays. The level of play displayed in those events has certainly set the field for great…
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Continue ReadingThe club volleyball season had few, but quite exciting tournaments in the few weeks between the end of the high school calendar and the Holidays. The level of play displayed in those events has certainly set the field for great competition during the next several months across the state of Texas.
One of the top tournaments held in the Houston area in the period was the Skyline Classic #1, which reunited 12 17s and eights 18s teams in the courts of the traditional Houston Skyline club on December 18.
PrepDig.com was closely following the action and will, over the next couple of weeks, provide reports on the most promising players competing in the event.
These middle blockers did a great job at the net for their teams in the 17s Division:
Farah Farooq – Asics Willowbrook 17 Gold – HS: Episcopal – 2023
One of the most promising middle blockers of her graduating class in the Houston area, Farah Farooq delivered great performances at the net for a very strong Willowbrook 17 Gold team. The 6’2” prospect used all of her physical tools and mobility to be a huge factor at the net on both sides of the game. She was unstoppable at times on offense because of her impressive reach and shot variation and did an excellent job in being aggressive with her blocking too. She moved to Willowbrook this season after playing for Houston Skyline and has proved to be a tremendous addition.
Mikala Sampson Mikala Sampson 6'1" | MB Klein | 2023 State #109 Nation TX – Asics Willowbrook 17 Gold – HS: Klein – 2023
Middle blocker was certainly a position of strength for Willowbrook 17 Gold during the tournament. Ranked eighth in our 2023 Prep Dig State Rankings, Mikala Sampson Mikala Sampson 6'1" | MB Klein | 2023 State #109 Nation TX formed a great duo with Farooq and made life extremely hard for opponents. A part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom List, the 6’1” Sampson is super athletic and has a scary combination of quick feet and heavy arm, making of her a handful to deal with at the net. Sampson is also a great blocker and creates problems to opponents with her floating serve.
Austyn Lanclos – LSE 17U – HS: Heights – 2023
Unlike the other two players on this list, Austyn Lanclos stands out for her versatility. The 5’11” prospect is an extremely well-rounder player and delivers in different ways than a prototypical middle blocker does. Lanclos is long and athletic, but has excellent technique and does a lot of things players in her position typically don’t, such as hitting from the left and playing a solid backcourt game, being one of the team’s top passers and a reliable defender.