KISD/CFISD Varsity Tournament: Five Productive Middles
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The high volleyball season is just around the corner in the Great State of Texas and the initial part of the calendar is typically loaded with varsity tournaments, which provide us with great opportunities of having an early look at…
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Continue ReadingThe high volleyball season is just around the corner in the Great State of Texas and the initial part of the calendar is typically loaded with varsity tournaments, which provide us with great opportunities of having an early look at how teams and prospects are shaping up for the season.
The second weekend of August will have one of those, the Katy ISD/Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Varsity Tournament, which will reunite as many as 48 teams from the Houston area and beyond for three days of competition between August 11-13 across eight high schools in the region.
We’ll follow some of those matches and bring our reports to you right after the end of the event, but before it starts, let’s highlight some of the most promising prospects that will be on the court during the event. Now it’s time to list some of the most productive middles that will be in action.
Alyssa Dinh
Alyssa Dinh
A middle blocker with excellent length and athleticism, Alyssa Dinh has been and will continue to be a solid performer for Cypress Creek at the high school level. She uses her reach extremely well on offense and can hit a lot of different sets in the middle. When blocking, what stands out in Dinh’s game is how well she places her arms across the net to take space up from opposing hitters. She was part of the Cougars’ varsity team for the first time last season and produced 114 kills, 74 blocks and 15 aces.
A six-footer with tremendous athleticism, Ariana Goode Ariana Goode 6’0″ | MB Klein Collins | 2023 TX has a strong presence at the net. She does an excellent job with her blocking, moving quickly from pin to pin and always displaying great balance and timing for her action. She also uses her physicality well on offense, as Goode has the ability to hit quick sets and to do it with considerable power. She is set to enter her senior season at Klein Collins with 144 kills and 78 blocks.
Highlights
Ava Kennon
Ava Kennon
One of the few returning pieces of a Dawson team that had a great campaign last season, Ava Kennon should have an even larger role with the Lady Eagles in 2022-2023. The 5’10” middle blocker thrives on her quickness and athleticism. Both of those skills are in full display when Kennon is set up at the net as her strong approach, impressive jumping and excellent arm speed typically end with the ball touching the floor across the net. Also a productive blocker, she has 317 kills and 84 blocks in two seasons of high school volleyball.
Nia Cummings Nia Cummings 5’11” | MB Cedar Park | 2023 State TX has an intriguing combination of great athleticism and a long 5’11” frame. There are not many plays she can’t interfere with at the net as her long arms and excellent leaping ability give her excellent range. Cummings can also be extremely productive when hitting quick sets down the middle as she completely stretches her arm before hammering the ball straight down. She has been a force for Cedar Park over the years, entering her senior high school season with 299 kills and 154 blocks to her name.
Tendai Titley
Tendai Titley
Unlike the other middles in this list, Tendai Titley stands out for her versatility and all-around game. The 5’11” prospect is, for sure, a factor at the net with her excellent length and physical tools, but due to her background as an outside hitter, she’s capable of efficiently playing all six rotations and doing a good job on the backcourt. Her three-year high school production of 473 kills, 112 blocks, 686 passes, 583 digs and 64 aces is highly unusual for players in her position.