Sunshine Classic Qualifier – Texas Middles to Watch
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It’s National Qualifier time in the 2023 club volleyball season and another big one is coming up this weekend with the second half of the popular Sunshine Classic taking place in Orlando, Florida, for four different age groups. Texas will,…
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Continue ReadingIt’s National Qualifier time in the 2023 club volleyball season and another big one is coming up this weekend with the second half of the popular Sunshine Classic taking place in Orlando, Florida, for four different age groups.
Texas will, of course, be represented in the event, featuring 55 teams across the four 16s and four 17s divisions of the event, and some of the most exciting prospects of the Lone Star State will be in action this weekend.
As we prepare to support our Texans teams in a challenging weekend, we’ve been taking a look at some of the most promising players that will be on the court and now it’s time to highlight the middles.
Minor will be one of the key players in her star-studded Houston Skyline 16 Royal team that will contend in the 16 Open division. A player with unbelievable athleticism, she emerged as one of the top middles in the Houston area early last season and has only gotten better. Minor is a fantastic jumper, often gettings head and shoulder above the net, and complements her set of physical tools with long arms and big hands. She has been improving and adding new tools to her game at a scary quick pace and is extremely impactful at the net with her diverse offense and strong, well-structured blocking.
Sims is the only middle ranked above Minor in our Class of 2025 Prep Dig State Rankings and that indicates how good she is – the two could battle at the 16 Open division as Sims will be in action with Skyline 16 Royal. She’s a very quick and mobile middle and those two skills make of her an excellent two-way player in the middle. Sims is quick to get to the pins and can put up a big block in front of opposing hitters. When its’ her time to swing, expect her to be available even in transition plays because of her outstanding footwork. Sims is also versatile and well-rounded and can hit from the pin and even pass if needed.
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Another talented middle from the Houston area, Ochelli will be playing with Houston Skyline 16 Black in the 16 USA division. She’s very athletic and consistent and really difficult to stop offensively because of her high contact point. Ochelli is also a very good blocker, who moves well, goes high up at the net and is great at placing her hands in the right spots. She played as an outside hitter for Kempner in the last high school season and developed other areas of her game and is now versatile enough to hit from anywhere on the court.
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Other Positional Breakdowns
* Setters * Outsides * Liberos * Right Sides
Langi will be a force in the middle for United VBA 17 Purple in the 17 USA division. Very long and athletic, she plays the game with a lot of energy and never goes unnoticed at the net. The Utah Tech commit is a really strong blocker, reading plays well, moving quickly to the pins and making well-thought and efficient moves with her long arms up top. Langi is also an interesting offensive player, making very explosive approaches to swing and is really good in transition, using well-placed tips to score.
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A new addition to Houston Stellar 17 Elite joining from Xcel this season, Carter will be in action in the 17 Open division. She’s a very long middle who has a productive offense and who can also make a big impact with her blocking. Carter has good mobility and length and is very active at the net with her blocking – she’s pretty good at sending overpasses right back. On offense, she’s very productive with her ability to hit different sets and her high contact point.