2024 Breakout Middles: 5 to Watch
Middles need to work tirelessly to move pin to pin and put up a solid block, setting the tone for a team’s effort and defense. During the club and school ball season, these five prospects from the class of 2024…
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Continue ReadingMiddles need to work tirelessly to move pin to pin and put up a solid block, setting the tone for a team’s effort and defense. During the club and school ball season, these five prospects from the class of 2024 emerged as key components to their teams success.
Sophie Armstrong
Sophie Armstrong
The Greyhounds will be counting on their multi-sport performer in the 2A division of the GSL this year. Armstrong is athletic, plays the ball well with her hands, and showed a quick arm swing with an improving read of the block during the club season with the ZZU 18s. Excellent press on the block when she gets to the pin, her strongest routes on offense right now come off of free balls and set plays in serve receive. At Regionals in Spokane, she went up against several college-level 18 middles and held her own.
Addison Mills
Addison Mills
Mills is a returning all-state performer for the Ephrata Tigers and spent the club season with NCWVBC playing 18U. She likes attacking the 3 and has to be accounted for when moved to the right side to get her a favorable matchup versus the defense. With the ability to shut down opposing middles one-on-one with her length, she is one of the best two-way middles in the state at the 2A level.
Abbey Flerchinger
Abbey Flerchinger
Blessed with a long reach and a quick arm, Flerchinger is a fierce competitor from a family with deep roots in volleyball and softball for Shadle Park. Quick may not fully describe her arm, as sometimes when it seems a set might be out of reach, she finds a way to put a swing on it and score from just about any angle. Years of dedicated work playing for CPA out of Spokane have moved the rangy, rising junior from a raw prospect with a big arm to a reliable point scorer in the middle. Shined at state with her team as the Highlanders posted an upset win and advanced to the second day.
Teyana Zaddack
Teyana Zaddack
Teyana “Tey” Zaddack’s best days on the volleyball court are ahead of her, and her game is already solid. Playing for SIVA 16 North Blue the long middle showed tremendous growth throughout the year. Good footwork and long strides help her cover the block pin to pin, and her eye work during the year improved, keeping her on the opposing hitters more often. She also has good instincts when things get messy around the net, covering balls and not losing composure if she needs to make a play. Excellent work following her middles when they are pushed side to side by a pass, presenting herself for an attacking opportunity.
Ena Hadzikadunic
Ena Hadzikadunic
One of the players who will be relied upon to bring North Creek back to state, and make sure they are back in the trophy rounds. Ena does not take a play off, staying in constant motion and working extremely hard, which is first and foremost what a middle needs to do. She showed improved shot-making at Nationals in Indianapolis for her Seattle Juniors team and created nice opportunities for her teammates by getting off the net during transition and being available as an option.
These 2024 Middles are ready to make long runs in the state playoffs, and practice starts for Washington high schools on August 22nd. Preseason play will feature some big tournaments, including annual affairs in Kent, The SunDome Festival, The Linda Sheridan in Spokane, and more.