Windy City Iowa Roundup: Middle Blockers/Hitters
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Windy City Gallery I Windy City Gallery II Windy City Gallery III Windy City Gallery IV Windy City Gallery V CHICAGO – The middle front-row position has expanded over time. Some call it middle hitter. Others refer to it as…
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Continue ReadingCHICAGO – The middle front-row position has expanded over time. Some call it middle hitter. Others refer to it as middle blocker. One thing is for sure, volleyball fans know when they see a good one.
Here’s a septet of middles who stood out here at last weekend’s Windy City National Qualifier:
Jessica Gergen Jessica Gergen 6'0" | MB Denver | 2024 State IA , Six Pack 17U – Gergen stood out to me when I first saw her at the state tournament in November. I was once again impressed with her performance standing out on a loaded team here. Gergen is an old-school, two-way middle who understands how to excel at the part of the net, smashing kills or blocking the opponent.
Presley Myers Presley Myers 6'2" | MB Holy Trinity Catholic | 2026 State IA , Rockets 15U – Like Gergen, Myers is a throw-back who prefers operating around the middle of the net. She boasts long arms and excellent timing, allowing her to reject opponent shots and finish plays on offense.
Ellah Derrer Ellah Derrer 6'4" | MB Davenport Assumption | 2026 State IA , Iowa Select 15U – Derrer does not look or play like a freshman. Her ceiling is very high, already showing big power, skills and agility. She’s athletic, jumps well and moves with ease laterally. She does most of her damage in the middle but also hits well from the right side.
Kinsey Mohwinkle Kinsey Mohwinkle 6'0" | MB Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024 State IA , Six Pack 17U – A second middle from the deep Six Pack 17U, Mohwinkle is a versatile performer in the front row. She looks comfortable swinging from the outside or in the middle. She has long arms, allowing her to defend well and generate power.
Brooke Krogmann Brooke Krogmann OH West Delaware | 2025 State IA , CIA 16U – The West Delaware sophomore reports a 91-inch standing-blocking reach and a 117-inch one-arm approach touch on her Hudl page. She moves well laterally and shows good timing on block attempts. She’s a middle blocker with agility.
Grace Hannam Grace Hannam 6'1" | MB Cedar Falls | 2025 State IA , Six Pack 16U – The Cedar Falls sophomore stands out in volleyball and basketball. Her athleticism shines through in volleyball. She possesses quick reflexes and explodes off the court. Her swing is fast and powerful. She puts defenders on their heels.
Taylor Rexroth Taylor Rexroth MB Xavier | 2025 State IA , Adrenaline 16U – The Cedar Rapids Xavier 10th-grader is another strong athlete in the front row. She’s from an athletic family. She jumps very well with good hang time and solid swing. She moves smoothly, side to side.