Best Middles Available In The Class Of ’23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five athletes all bring a special "something" to the floor, whether it's size, speed, arm strength, length, or a combination of all of those. You could really choose any one of these middles and do no wrong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='85906' first='Cadence' last='Ast'], 6-2, Bloomington South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although she could project to be a pin attacker at the next level, I'll put her as a long and lean middle that can be an M2 as well. Her two-footed approach is consistent and quick, she transitions with the best of them, and uses her length to defend the net at a plus level. I like her high level of consistent play, and her potential as an M2 is limitless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='85902' first='Cali' last='Cummings'], 6-1, Seymour</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big middle from south of Indianapolis, Cali has been hidden in relative obscurity by playing on a regional program named Cougar, also based out of Seymour. She's big, fast, athletic, smart, and can play either middle position. Cali is just as adept off of one foot as she is off of two, and makes her teammates around her better just by being there. I've been high on this kid for a few years now, and it's only a matter of time before some college gets a steal in Miss Cummings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='85911' first='Libby' last='Dippold'], 6-0, Columbus East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's stay south of Indy and talk about another fast and athletic middle. Libby is a Union-trained middle who had gained a ton of volleyball IQ in her two years playing there. Her CE career has her stat line at 2+ kps/1+ bps/ >.300+ for her career, but is largely overshadowed by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='85903' first='Gabby' last='Dean'] (Illinois commit)</strong>. Libby could also double as a right side if needed, making her all the more marketable for the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='104212' first='Grace' last='Roach'], 6-0, Lafayette Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a state championship trophy under her belt, Grace is the big and strong middle with smarts that smaller schools drool over. Her training at Boiler Juniors has helped her game; she's stronger, faster, and has much more volleyball acuity than during her state championship run last fall. Things might get a bit tougher for her this fall, as LCC moves up to class 2A. She was also named as the small school player of the year for the Lafayette area last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='143884' first='Gabbie' last='Stores'], 6-0, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing much taller than her six foot frame, Miss Stores is long, lean and fast. She excels off of two feet, making her an ideal M2 or right side at the next level. She's played a good bit of open-level ball at Empowered, and has known nothing but winning at BD. She's also lethal from behind the baseline, and can step in to defend after serving when needed, unlike MOST middles in Indiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->