Middles Standing Out After Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a five athletes to watch that are in a leading in blocking stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>Madilyn Stonebraker </strong></strong>| 5'10" | 2026 | MB | Santa Paula High School<br>Leading the state in blocking, Madilyn Stonebraker emphasizes a youth movement often found in girls volleyball. So many understandably chose a path away from volleyball as the percentages get lower to play after high school. Therefore, keep a continued eye out for younger athletes like Stonebraker. With an amazing 3.4 blocks per set, she brings a presence the allows her the thrive. Those numbers are simply outstanding and will change the way any hitter hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206545' first='Manaia' last='Ogbechie']</strong> | 6'3" | 2025 | MB | Oaks Christian High School <br>[player_tooltip player_id='206545' first='Manaia' last='Ogbechie'] is a patient blocker. Mostly because she can be covering up a lot of space. When going to block on the outside, she leads with her arms. Also finishing her move with her arms allows her to close up any space left from her legs following her arms. She is excellent at assisting the setup a rightside blocker makes on the outside hitter. Ogbechie touches a height of the third red on the antenna. Additionally, she keeps up with the opposing middle moving well laterally to stay in front of that hitter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='538039' first='Ayden' last='Jacobson']</strong> | 5'11" | 2025 | MB | Saugus High School<br>Touching a height of the second white on the antenna, [player_tooltip player_id='538039' first='Ayden' last='Jacobson'] has more than ready and waiting palms to go across the net. She has a great volleyball IQ that recognizes situations. Specifically, she is very aware of front row setters. If any setter wants a challenge, try and dump against this middle blocker. Additionally, her solid inside hand makes it difficult for pin hitters to hit cross court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466644' first='Emery' last='Tubbs'] </strong>| 6"0" | 2025 | MB | Santiago High School <br>The goal of rebounding a ball to the fall quickly to the ground is tough and [player_tooltip player_id='466644' first='Emery' last='Tubbs'] uses all of her body to do that. Specifically, she turns nearly her entire body sometimes to ensure that ball will bounce back in bounds. When she is directly in front of a hitter, watch Tubbs push her arms back into the middle of the court. Even if her momentum is quickly moving in one direction she keeps her arms strong in front of her. When blocking an outside hitter she gets help climbing the ladder as she touches a height of the second red on the antenna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Badger</strong> | 6'3" | 2024 | MB | Lynnbrook High School <br>Lining up with a hitter is difficult and Madison Badger makes every effort to do that. Finding the angle of approach, Badger will match that angle. When she is at her best, she also stays strong above her shoulders. This combination of angles and shoulders can tally stats in the block category quickly. She touches a height of the second white on the antenna. In regular communication with blockers that block with her, she is a great teammate that closes up a seam well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->