Here's the Block Party: Top HS Middle Blockers in 2023 (MI)

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow <strong>@lshotvb </strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>We're well into the 2023 season!</p>   <p>Things are starting to come into clear view now! Who're the top teams going into the second half of the 2023 season and who are some of the top players around the state?</p>   <p>Let's take a look at who are some of the top middle blockers in Michigan so far this 2023 season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] - Bedford</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/A3783325-7824-428F-8951-1FF67F59A8B8.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411241" style="width:264px;height:176px" width="264" height="176" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Coming out firing away, Bedford can thank much of its success to the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray']. Gray has become one of the biggest show stoppers in the state. Quite literally. Her stout 6'2 block can shut down even the most imposing attackers across the net. That, and her ability to play six rotations is quite impressive as well. Gray currently averages 3 kills per set on an impressive .434 hit percentage and over 80 blocks on the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] - Cass City</h2>   <p>Cass City is chasing a dream and looking to return to Kellogg Arena this season. Leading the charge, none other than [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (Texas Tech). Yet again, we see ourselves with another six rotation middle putting in the most to lead their teams. Ignash has been quite the tyrant in the Division 3 space. Because of her sheer physicality at the net, she's led the Hawks to several sweeps already in conference play - many of which being decided by over 10 points a set. Ignash has put up five double digit kill performances this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110314' first='Carissa' last='Musta'] - Cadillac</h2>   <p>She's putting up numbers that even some of the top pins in the state have a hard time putting up. [player_tooltip player_id='110314' first='Carissa' last='Musta'] is continuing a dominance that was put on full display last post-season. At 6'4, it doesn't take much, but Musta is putting some extra oomph on things this year. Musta is averaging 5 kills a set to a tune of .375 so far on the season. This is almost a kill and a half higher than her season average a year ago. As for her blocking, she's rocking over 80 blocks this season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <p>You know, it's rare to see a middle play six rotations. Not to mention, two! But three, all for top ranked teams in Michigan, is insane! Nobody does it better than [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky), I will say. A player that proved critical to last year's Final Four run for the Huskies. Oddly enough, this season we are seeing Hopewell truly come into her own on all facets of the game. Her offense is becoming more and more deadly and vital for the Huskies as the season goes on. In a huge five set win over Grand Rapids Christian, Hopewell knocked down 17 kills in the match!</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/Jordyn-Hughes-Blocking.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-447567" style="width:258px;height:172px" width="258" height="172" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] - Portage Northern</h2>   <p>Portage Northern has seemingly come out of nowhere this season. One of the biggest dark horses to be lurking late in the 2023 season. A player to pin point for the success? [player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes']. Maybe the smallest player on the list, her hops tells everyone else otherwise. Flying into the clouds and bringing down some major heat, Hughes' offense is relied upon a TON for the HM Ranked team. She's put up over 50 kills throughout the course of her last five matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='459245' first='Kate' last='Schneider'] - L'Anse Creuse North</h2>   <p>From one dark horse team to the next, [player_tooltip player_id='459245' first='Kate' last='Schneider'] and L'Anse Creuse North may be breaking several hearts come the beginning of November. While every other middle in this group brings something a little different, so does Schneider. LCN runs an unorthodox middle offense, rather than a fast ball in front or behind the setter, Schneider runs what some would call a slick (slow-quick). It's something that has many teams scratching their heads and LCN cruising to victories. She's knocked down over 130 kills so far this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Martinez - Marlette</h2>   <p>Marlette is a team that we may very well see deep into the post-season, if not, in Kellogg Arena. One of the biggest reasons is the play of Gabby Martinez. From an area very much dominated by North Branch and Cass City, Martinez has paved the way for the Red Raiders. So much so, Martinez just eclipsed a rare feat for middles, 1,000 kills. Marlette currently ranks fifth in the latest Division 4 MIVCA polls.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/DSC_4205-scaled-crop-2560x1681-1662048471.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-222758" style="width:255px;height:167px" width="255" height="167" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] - Northville</h2>   <p>If you're going to be considered the top team in Division 1, you better have a top-notch middle. Look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] (Eckerd). While last season saw Nelson earn All-State honors, she still was not at the forefront of the scouting report. That is not the case this year. Atop of every report, eyes on Nelsons, and for good reason. While averaging nearly 3 kills and a block per set, Nelson seeminly has sole possession of the net on any court she walks on.</p>