GJNC Scouting Report: 16 Open Middle Blockers Dominate Again

<p>This group keeps delivering.</p> <p>I’ve made a few references to the strength of the middle blocker position in this year’s 16s field. That dominance showed up one last time at GJNC last weekend, so we might as well put a few more names on your radar in our post-event coverage.</p> <p>Here are a few middle blockers who caught my eye during the 16 Open championship race in Indianapolis.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99010" first="Addison" last="Brooke"] - 6’4 MB - Top Select 16 Elite Blue</strong></p> <p>Florida’s prep volleyball fans have to be thrilled with Top Select’s ascent to the final bracket in Indianapolis. It’s also worth getting excited about what Brooke brings to the frontcourt of this team. She was Top Select’s dominant physical presence throughout the weekend and frequently delivered some one-on-one stuffs to shift momentum in 16 Elite Blue’s favor. This is one of many athletes who was added to my radar by the end of Nationals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_207667" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-207667" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9416-crop-2409x1582-1657339133-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Anyanwu (12) anchors the net for TAV 16 Black[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142220" first="Favor" last="Anyanwu"] - 6’2 MB - TAV 16 Black</strong></p> <p>Anyanwu wrapped up a standout year by generating a few more highlight moments for 16 Black at GJNC. TAV always finds creative ways to get this hard-hitting middle involved in every facet of the game. Though Anyanwu’s native position is at middle blocker, she frequently blocks on the right pin before shifting to a more traditional middle approach in transition. Whatever position Anyanwu occupies at the next level, she will continue to stand out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="162765" first="Camden" last="Bolane"] - 6’1 MB - WAVE 16-Brennan</strong></p> <p>WAVE 16-Brennan is one team that would like to run through its middles whenever possible. It’s easy to see why, too, as Bolane has been an outstanding performer at this position for a long time now. This is also one of a few players on this feature with experience at multiple frontcourt positions. Bolane’s all-around skills encompass what made her WAVE squad so formidable this season, and I’d expect to see WAVE back on the big stage soon.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_207663" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-207663" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9335-crop-3162x2076-1657338973-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Bode (8) puts up the block for Premier Nebraska 16 Gold.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152854" first="Morgan" last="Bode"] - 6’1 MB - Premier Nebraska 16 Gold</strong></p> <p>I have to admit how gratifying it is to see players from my Nebraska homeland stepping up on a national stage. Bode did just that with 16 Gold at GJNC and provided a perpetual spark with her shutdown blocking from the middle. After winning a high school state title with Papillion-La Vista South last fall, Bode’s rise has been sustained through the entire 2022 season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="201016" first="Zoey" last="Burgess"] - 6’2 MB - Club V 16 Ren Wayne</strong></p> <p>Burgess has that combination of length and quickness that you simply can’t ignore. With this middle blocker leading the way, Club V 16 Ren Wayne made a resilient charge to the Round of 16 in the division. Two-hitter rotations are not a problem for this team, either, as Burgess has quickly become a quite a formidable slide attacker.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="162767" first="Jade" last="Dudley-Epps"] - 5’11 MB - Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar T</strong></p> <p>The "excitement factor" is strong with Dudley-Epps. If you’re a fan of athletic middles who get off the floor quickly, 16 Rockstar T surely has one worth following. Long Beach’s two-setter offense allows Dudley-Epps to do most of her work in front of the setter, and she was a force on the quick throughout GJNC.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="180295" first="Ryla" last="Jones"] - 6’2 MB - Metro 16 Travel</strong></p> <p>As a twin myself, I always love to see some sibling synergy come together on the volleyball court. [player_tooltip player_id="180295" first="Ryla" last="Jones"] is the "middle blocker half" of the Jones duo that includes Renee at opposite. Ryla had a strong weekend at GJNC and keeps displaying her propensity to score in a variety of ways. She has quickly improved her offense off of one foot and opens up Metro’s offense behind the setter. The Jones twins, along with the rest of this 16 Travel group, will surely be back in the Nationals hunt again next season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Grace Woodring - 5’11 MB - Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri</strong></p> <p>There are so many unsung heroes on this Colorado Juniors squad who all played a major role in lifting 16-Sherri to the July 4th Gold bracket. While the CoJrs pin hitters usually get a lot of hype, Woodring quietly goes about her business at the middle blocker spot and plays low-error volleyball that helps her team in tight situations.</p>