Houston Open 2023 – Five Middles to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school tournaments are taking place everywhere in Texas as teams prepare for the start of their district calendars and the Houston area will host a big one this weekend when it comes to private high schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Houston Open 2023 will reunite 23 of the best programs in the area for two days of competition at the Houston Skyline club, on Friday and Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig will be on-site following the first day of the event and will bring detailed reports and the best photos, but before the tournament starts, let's get to know some of the most exciting talent that will be in action. Here are some middles who can dominate the net:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288972"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A big part of Bay Area Christian's game alongside twin sister Brooke, [player_tooltip player_id='288972' first='Brenna' last='Fledderman'] provides the team with a strong presence in the middle. She's a physical player, who doesn't shy away from using her tools to win points, but also has a very high volleyball IQ, which allows her to read the game well and make good decisions in a split second. Fledderman is a very effective offensive player, making contact with the ball at a high point and putting a lot of power in her swings, but also makes a huge impact with her blocking, proving to be an extremely valuable player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2dc1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18002246/64de59fdc125091120d255e7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2e16"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212731"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A track and field student-athlete, Collins is an athletic freak, being very difficult to stop at the net. She joined a strong Episcopal team this season and immediately became one of their key players. Collins is very gifted offensively, getting off the floor extremely well and having a lot of firepower in her right arm. She played as an outside hitter during the last high school season with Shadow Creek, adding yet more tools to her offensive arsenal. Collins' blocking is also extremely strong as she not only goes very high up at the net, but is also very aggressive with her arms.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2e6c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15377787/64dc877c0dc07d10c4a0e5f8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2e8c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179893"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A State Champion with Fort Bend Christian Academy, Minor has emerged as one of the most exciting middles in the state of Texas. There's absolutely nothing missing in her game as she's physical, technical, intelligent and extremely athletic. Her footwork is among the very best in the state and watching how quickly she moves on the court to hit the slide is a true joy. Minor not only has all the tools, but she actually delivers in big moments and was one of the top players at last year's TAPPS State Tournament.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2ed9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15464785/64b0d9e14205db095ca52af0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2ef8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179903"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A junior, Sambrano has been one of the top players for Lutheran South Academy in the last two seasons. A middle with excellent range and understanding of the game, she's a reliable offensive player and had great improvement with her blocking last season. Sambrano can hit all sorts of different sets in the middle, makes contact with the ball at a very high point, makes very few errors and can hit in all directions. She can also swing from the left extremely well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2f44"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15260270/64d5a8d8d21b29090ccb565e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2f62"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["124146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Humphrey is one of the most dominant middles in Texas and her move to St. Pius X last year entirely changed the team's situation in the TAPPS league. Few middles can take matches over at the net in the way Humphrey does and she's one of just a few with the ability to shut down even the opponent's top offensive player. Her blocking is very intelligent and aggressive and her swings in the middle are extremely difficult to stop, especially after she gets into a rhythm.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2fae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17160372/64a61c344205db095c9e8e18' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64de9551a2fcc"} /-->