Washington Middles to Watch at Far Western Qualifier
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The Far Western Qualifier in Reno, Nevada this weekend features multiple dynamic middles from Washington competing at every level. The last qualifier of the 2023 season is hosted by the Northern California Volleyball Association, the NCVA covers a region that…
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Continue ReadingThe Far Western Qualifier in Reno, Nevada this weekend features multiple dynamic middles from Washington competing at every level. The last qualifier of the 2023 season is hosted by the Northern California Volleyball Association, the NCVA covers a region that stretches from the Oregon border to Bakersfield, California, and includes Northern Nevada. Multiple teams on the West Coast head to Reno as a last chance to earn a bid to the GJNC. Here are several Washington middles that will need to play big to keep their teams in the hunt.
Marrs continue to grow her game, the Ellensburg 2025 prospect showed off her back row skills at Regionals in Spokane. With just eight players available the skilled sophomore handled business in serve receive, played strong defense, and put pressure on opposing backlines using a flat serve with some zip. Attacking from the outside pin in set two against RVC Kari, Marrs ended the set with a hard-angle drive that scored inside the 10-foot line. The CRU 16 Baden team will compete in the Open Division at Far Western, the team’s overall length can cause problems for hitters at any level.
Highlights
Gutke is making a jump on the offensive side for her SIVBC Typhoon team this season. The 2026 middle from Skyline is pushing 6’3” and is tracking the pass, following her setter, and staying available. When the set comes her way she is driving it hard into the corners and moving it around the block. Gutke is extremely effective going up strong with two hands and scoring on an overpass. She has the vision to drop in a soft tip, that touch is a nice change up to her increasingly strong swing.
Jasmyne Washington
Jasmyne Washington
The Pullman freshman has a quick jump at the net, both when blocking or when she goes up to clean up an overpass. That athleticism helps her get into transition rapidly, and attack even when the set may be off target. In a match against Shockwave 16 at ERVA Regionals, Washington showed vision when attacking, finding open areas with a soft touch. She followed that up with a powerful swing running a “3” in the seam for a kill in transition. Club ZZU 16 National will be in the USA Division at Far Westerns.
Millspaugh has a fast arm swing, she can get up and terminate a point while the block is still forming. Excel NW 17 Lux will look to get her involved on fast tempo attacks, and she will turn the ball sharply to score. The multi-sport 2024 prospect out of Mark Morris High School has excellent touch and smarts when she attacks, and works hard to close the block defensively.
The junior from North Creek does an excellent job finding angles and opportunities offensively, she will hammer a ball off hands or push a shot to score. She has nice chemistry with setter Melena Wong and will track the pass and follow here setter to stay available for a scoring chance. As a blocker, Hadzikadunik has excellent timing and good press, she also can handle emergency balls and does not panic when she has to make a dig or pass out of the middle blocker position.
Sudden Impact Storm is playing in the 17 Open, middle Krista Kostoff Krista Kostoff 6’1″ | MB Eastlake | 2024 State WA will bring her high energy play to the court when Hadzikadunik rotates off. The pair gives SIVBC two excellent options to keep the offense balanced.
Leah Lewis
Leah Lewis
Lewis is an excellent blocker with a good motor and gives CRU 16 another solid middle to pair with Alana Marrs Alana Marrs 6’4″ | MB Ellensburg | 2025 State WA . Her offensive game is growing, but her hustle and determination to work pin-to-pin on defense are fun to watch. CRU and Ellensburg High School do an excellent job developing tall athletes into complete volleyball players, Lewis has a high ceiling and the work ethic to develop into a force on the frontline.