37th Annual Las Vegas Classic: Middles, Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A middle hitter/blocker is an essential player in the game. They have many responsibilities on defense and offense. They have to defend the entire net, are the first line of defense, and have good lateral speed to go side to side and help their pins with blocking. Middles need to read attackers so they can move fast enough with high hands and attempt to block. They also need to be ready at all times for a quick attack. Meet ten middle hitters/blockers from the 37th annual Las Vegas Classic. They are the hidden gems who stepped into their position with the ability, skills and talent to grow further in the sport. They are in order of their graduating year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":334762,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryleeh Tuaolo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Anthony High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Apex1 18 Black","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eRyleeh Tuaolo u003c/strongu003eis quick at the net and brings power to her swing. She has high hands and lateral speed that make it easy for her to get into position and block at the net. Tuaolo knows how to score on the quick short set, hitting through the block. She knows how to slow down an attack at the net with her touch. She also has a high vertical that makes her able to hit on top of the ball bringing it straight down. Coached by the Tuaniga brothers, Gus and Joshua, Ryleeh is a player whose name should be known.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["160360"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":334764,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='160360' first='Ava' last='Hewitt-Smith'] u003c/strongu003ehas great timing at the net.  This is a huge help with her being able to block the ball or kill the ball. She knows how to tool the block on a slide and gets high at the net. Hewitt-Smith is aggressive on the court and will take advantage of the middle and right back with her strong shots. The wall that she creates against her opponents is hard to penetrate.  Ava is coached by Mitch Kallick and Karl Rojo. She is a fun middle to watch because she has great energy on the court.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":334766,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Brianna Galvan-Lopez","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Pioneer High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"ICON VBC 18 Adidas","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eBrianna Galvan-Lopez u003c/strongu003ewill find the holes on the court and score. When she's not helping block, she is helping cover the pins. She has high hands that can help slow a ball down. Galvan-Lopez knows how to react at the net and power down an over pass. She also reacts quickly to make a tip over to score. Coached by Riley Kelly and Jordon Wilson Brianna is a middle to be recognized.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":334772,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Zyon Aubrey","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Gahr High School","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Apex1 17 Black","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eZyon Aubrey u003c/strongu003eused her high hands to block at the net and score. She has a quick lateral movement to go from pin to pin and help with those blocks on the side. Aubrey knows how to fake out her opponent by going into motion at the net. She knows how to react to an overpass and she's not afraid to joust the ball. She can defend with a block or score on offense.   Coached by Alexandra Griffiths, Dana Kaleiohi, and Tauao Feomaia, Zyon is a player who should be on the radar.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":334778,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Juda Washington","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Millikan High School","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Apex1 16 Black","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eJuda Washington's u003c/strongu003ehang time and vertical is impressive. She gets high enough over a ball that her contact carries it straight down. She can block and attack at the net. Washington has explosive moves when going side to side to help with blocks. She has high hands that get over the net and create a solid wall that can force a ball to fall straight down.  Coached by Teddi Esko and Candace Nicholson, Juda has great speed and strength behind her kill that can find open areas on the court. She is a middle to keep an eye on.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":334780,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Clarke Cornwell","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Compton Early College","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"Beach Cities 16 Smack","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eClarke Cornwell u003c/strongu003emakes blocking at the net look easy. She gets up in the air and makes a wall with her hands and down goes the ball. I happened to catch her in action at the net. Cornwell moves side to side to help with blocks and gets back into position ready for a set. She transitions quickly from defense to offense.  She pays attention to the setter making sure to follow the set and either block or help with the block. Clarke also plays basketball. Coached by Kevin Wiliams and Scheala Nielsen Clarke is a middle who stood out.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":334782,"_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Mia Webster","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Canyon Hills High School","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"San Diego Volleyball Club (SDVBC) 16 Lindsey","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMia Webster u003c/strongu003ehas great timing at the net. When the setter touches the ball, Webster is ready to jump, arm back, and ready to swing.  She can block the opponents attack and read her hitters to help set up the block. On offense, Webster is ready for the quick attack at the net.  She also knows how to act as a decoy, spreading out the blockers. Coached by Lindsey Olhausen Scott and Danielle Lamb, Mia is a middle to be seen.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":334784,"_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Briana Lucchese","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Northgate High School","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"Bay Area Volleyball Club (BAVBC) 16 National Andre","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eBriana Lucchese u003c/strongu003eblocks during defense and attacks the ball on offense. She is quick and agile having to move around the court to help defend on the sides. Her fast-tempo attack puts pressure on the opposing blockers. The timing of her jump and the angle of her blocks is done by reading the movements of the other side.  Coached by Andre Badillo and Justine Lee, Briana is a middle to be noticed.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":334804,"_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Dallas Fa'afiu","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"St. Mary's College High School","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"Absolute 16 Pink","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eDallas Fa'afiu u003c/strongu003euses a quick shuffle step to cover the distance between the pin hitters. Her lateral movement is fast enough to cover the entire net. She has high hands that can slow a ball down with a touch and still keep it in play. Her main responsibility on defense is blocking the ball. Fa'afiu's quick attack takes away the opponent's ability to set up a double block at the net. Coached by Alison West, Cat Thomason, and Naomi Beall Dallas is a middle to be recognized.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":334812,"_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Tessa Smith","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Castro Valley High School","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"NorCal VBC Blue","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eTessa Smith's u003c/strongu003eheight can be intimidating at the net and she uses it to her advantage. She is athletic, powerful, and hard to defend. She has a solid block that will either retuhe ball or keep it in play. She is a go-to hitter that can score by hitting through the block or tipping in an open area. Smith's height and size makes it easy to go from middle to the sides without taking a lot of steps. This allows her to cover the entire net quickly. On offense, she capitalizes on the quick short sets. Being able to get right on top of the ball makes her hit hard to defend. Coached by Jay Felch and Carrier Archer, Tessa is a middle to keep an eye on.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64026b8750682"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great way to support our volleyball athletes and teams is by sharing our stories with family, friends, and fans. This can be done by subscribing or sharing on social media. Follow Prep Dig and Prep Dig California on their many different social media platforms ie: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sometimes unintentional errors happen. For any corrections, please email them to niqnaq23@gmail.com and put “PrepDig correction” in the subject line. Thank you for the support and happy reading!! *If you are a player, please claim or create your player profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->