Prep Season Preview: 5A Top Returning Middles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school season is right around the corner. Tryouts were the week of August 14th, and league play starts the week of September 4th.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As usual, Prep Dig will be following the action. But until it starts, we will highlight the top players returning in each position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up, the top middle blockers from the 5A classification.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161826"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBentley, the #1 middle blocker for the class of 2025, was critical in Crescent Valley's state championship win this past fall. The powerhouse player earned Mid-Willamette all-league first team and all-state honorable mention accolades. Bentley dominated from the middle on the top level NPJ 18 Forefront team that finished first in the region and ninth in the country, showcasing her quickness on transition, fast swing, and heavy arm that she uses to put balls away effortlessly. Bentley is also an impressive blocker, letting little get past her reach. Crescent Valley will likely be relying on Bentley's power from the middle this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["126166"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBecerril is a key force from the front row for Summit. After primarily playing out of the middle this past fall, Becerril earned Intermountain all-league second team honors. On the NPJ Bend 18 National team, Becerril continued her commanding play from the middle. Becerril is a super physical player with a fast and powerful arm swing, and her court vision is strong, allowing her to push tips into openings on the court. Defensively, Becerril puts up a massive block. As she enters her senior year, Becerril will be instrumental for Summit. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["267164"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRanked as the #3 middle blocker for the class of 2026, Donaldson had a breakout freshman season with South Albany, where she dominated as the team's starting middle blocker. Donaldson is an athletic and physical player with a powerful arm swing that, in combination with her explosive approach, allows Donaldson to bury the ball into the deep corner of the court. On the G3 16-1 team, Donaldson continued developing her impressive play from the middle. She will likely be an even more formidable player this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["126031"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHeytvelt's progress over the past three years has been impressive to watch, as she has moved up to the #2 ranked middle blocker for the class of 2024, thanks to her solid vertical, quick arm swing, and solid block. Heytvelt has been a huge part of the La Salle offense, and received Northwest Oregon all-league second team honors this past fall. Although Heytvelt is an unstoppable middle blocker both offensively and defensively, she is also an incredibly versatile attacker, evidenced by her ability to play effectively on the right side for the OJVA 17-1 team during this recent club season. Heytvelt will be one to watch this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["161819"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOver the past two years, Huntoon has been a key part of Crater's lineup, earning honorable mention honors her freshman year and Midwestern all-league second team accolades this past season. Standing at 6'1”, Huntoon dominates from the middle, moving the ball around and putting it away consistently. She continued her solid play on the RISE 17 National team this past club season, commanding the court offensively not just from the middle but also from the pins. With her height, athleticism, and versatility, Huntoon will undoubtedly be a weapon for the Comets this fall.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["228939"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKonzelman has been a force from the middle for West Albany, earning Mid-Willamette all-league honorable mention accolades last fall for her stellar play. She is a powerful and consistent attacker, and created many point scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs last season. On the NPJ 17 National team, Konzelman showed her versatility and dynamic play in the front row, where she primarily hit from the right side. There, Konzelman was not just an effective offensive player, but she was also a formidable blocker, shutting down opponents with ease. That defensive skill from Konzelman will be huge for West Albany this season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["126161"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRanked as the #1 middle blocker and the #2 player overall for the class of 2024, LeLuge has been a huge impact player for Bend High School over the course of her career. The Cal Poly commit was named to the Intermountain all-league first team, all-state first team, and was the co-player of the year for the 5A classification. Alongside Bentley, LeLuge commanded the middle for the NPJ 18 Forefront team and was instrumental in her team's impressive success throughout the season. She is super quick in transition, gets up high, and has an explosive approach and attack that she uses to detonate on the ball. LeLuge is a practically unstoppable force, and she will no doubt be an imperative piece of Bend's lineup this season. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='161982' first='Olivia' last='Lyons']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Wilsonville","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"North Pacific Juniors","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWith several big hitters having just graduated from Wilsonville, Lyons's fast and athletic play from the middle will be critical for the Wildcats' success this season. Last fall, Lyons earned Northwest Oregon all-league honorable mention accolades, and during club season, she shone on the NPJ Portland 17 National team. Lyons flies through the air gracefully and effortlessly, reaching high on the ball to put it away to the corners. She is also quick to the pins and on transition. Lyons is sure to take on a big offensive load for the Wildcats this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f118fd368b2"} /-->