The First Line Of Defense; Meet Six Middles!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middle hitter/blocker position is crucial in the game of volleyball. They are the first line of defense when that ball crosses the net. They attempt to block not just the middle position, but slide over to help the outside and right side with blocking. Middles have to defend the entire net on defense and make quick attacks on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["160972"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":386274,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='160972' first='Kaydence' last='Bispo'] brings the heat when she bangs the ball at the net. She has a quick attack and can get right on top of the ball.  Some of her kills go straight down at the ten-foot line. She can adjust in the air and place the ball in open areas hitting between the block. Kaydence can deliver on a slide by hitting down line or cross-court. She uses her high hands to gain blocks at the net.  She is a dual athlete with swimming as another sport.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":386280,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jazlynn Fu","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Orange Lutheran High School","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"ACT 16-Henry","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eJazlynn Fuu003c/strongu003e is a fast-tempo attacker. She gets on top of the quick sets and down goes the ball. Her fast lateral movements going side to side make it easy for her to help the pins with blocking. Her high hands help her hit over blocks. Jazlynn is a smart player who can read the court and know if a strong attack or tip is necessary. She gets out far enough to block a pin without leaving a seam in the double block.","_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":386282,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Naomi Grundy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"West Clovis HIgh School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Valley Volleyball Academy (VVA)","_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":"u003cstrongu003eNaomi Grundyu003c/strongu003e has a quick transition from offense to defense. She hits at middle and blocks at each area of the net. She penetrates the net by getting high and hands over creating a wall. She has a quick reaction to adjusting her hit if the set is off.  Naomi can slow a ball down with a touch at the net which helps her defenders keep the ball in play. She can be relied upon to score a point when her team needs to side out.","_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":386288,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Isabel Haytayan","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_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":"Crescenta Valley High School","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"San Gabriel Elite 16 Roshambo","_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":"u003cstrongu003eIsabel Haytayanu003c/strongu003e can hit through the block or tool it to score. She capitalizes on quick shot sets right above the tape. She penetrates the net by getting her hands high and slightly over making a u0022roofu0022 gesture that stops the ball and sends it right back down. Isabel is agile by quickly moving from side to side while covering the net. She can win a war at the net by coordinating blocks and jousting with the opponent.","_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":386302,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='538072' first='Savannah' last='Simpson']","_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":"6'0u0022","_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":"El Capitan High School","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Coast 16-Luis","_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":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='538072' first='Savannah' last='Simpson']u003c/strongu003e moves explosively by staying low and balanced before transitioning for an attack. She gets up high at the net and has a fierce swing. Her strength and control behind the ball give it speed and accuracy in finding an open area on the court to score. Her middle position allows her to move in both directions to help block attackers.  Savannah is an efficient offensive weapon when she is set.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["161005"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":386334,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='161005' first='Tatum' last='Johnson']'s fast lateral movements are essential in her success at blocking. She can read the direction the setter is setting, move to either pin, and help them close the block. She moves quickly and efficiently using her height to capitalize on the play.  On offense, Tatum can quickly attack the ball and get up in the air before the opposing blockers can react. She has a fast swing and strong hit giving the ball the velocity needed to score.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6446b31c40d86"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volleyball is a team sport and each position has its duty which can determine the success of the game. A middle hitter/blocker is important on offense and defense. They are more than just a solid wall creator to provide blocks at the net. They have several athletic qualities and traits that separate them from other positions. Great job to these six middles who are being recognized for their talent and skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->