Prep Season Preview: Small School 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 here! Tryouts were the week of August 14th, and league play started the week of September 4th.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As usual, Prep Dig will be following the action. But first, 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 4A through 1A classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161852"],"_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: 400u0022u003eHitting out of the middle, Baird has been a key part of the Royals' lineup both offensively and defensively. She earned 2A Northwest all-league second team accolades both her first and second years of high school play. This past season, Baird tallied an impressive 320 kills, showing her offensive prowess and power. Baird was a strong front row player on the Excel NW 16-1 team this past season, where she primarily played on the pins. She will undoubtedly be instrumental for Portland Christian this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["161829"],"_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: 400u0022u003eEuhus is a powerful player for Santiam Christian, carrying her team both offensively and defensively and earning 3A Pacwest all-league first team and all-state third team honors last season. Euhus is a dynamic attacker and can play effectively from both the middle and the right side, thanks to her quick approach, high reach on the ball, and fast arm swing. She is also a solid blocker, using her height at 6'0” and her vertical to play great defense. After her season with the G3 16-1 team, Euhus is well-positioned for success this fall.  u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["161880"],"_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: 400u0022u003eHorrell is a super physical middle blocker for the Hilanders and dominated the front row opposite [player_tooltip player_id='161865' first='Akylah' last='Kaino'] last season. As a result of her impressive play, Horrell was named to the 3A Eastern Oregon all-league second team. Horrell also tallied an astounding 257 kills and 80 blocks for the season, which certainly helped her team take second at State. Horrell's play from the middle will be imperative for the Hilanders' continued success this season. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["161865"],"_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: 400u0022u003eKaino is a standout middle blocker for the Hilanders, and luckily for her team, Kaino still has two years left to play. After notching an amazing 324 kills and 132 blocks for the season, Kaino was named to the 3A Eastern Oregon all-league first team and the all-state first team. She was the most dominant attacker for the Hilanders during their State championship match last fall. With her formidable play both offensively and defensively, Kaino is one to watch over the next couple years. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["244418"],"_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: 400u0022u003eKlobas is a talented middle blocker, and was recognized for her stellar play this past season when she was named Cowapa League Player of the Year and was listed on the 4A Cowapa all-league first team and the all-state second team. Klobas tallied 258 kills last season, leading the Cheesemakers to its first Cowapa League win since 2005. On the NPJ 17 National team, Klobas continued to dominate from the middle, showcasing her quickness on transition and versatile attacking arsenal. The Western Oregon commit will likely be an offensive weapon for Tillamook this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["244431"],"_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: 400u0022u003eKoch, who was awarded the Casco League Player-of-the-Year award and named to the Casco all-league first team and all-state first team, is a key part of the St. Paul lineup. Koch is a super athletic player, notching an impressive 280 kills last season. She is fast and gets up high, and with an insanely quick arm swing and snap, Koch can the put the ball away with almost every attempt. With her explosive and high level play, Koch is a fun player to watch and will be hard to beat this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Brooke McHaffie","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"North Douglas","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePlaying primarily middle blocker for North Douglas, McHaffie showcased some impressive play last season. She was named to the 1A all-state second team as a result of her solid offense. McHaffie has a wide hitting range, which allows her to mix up her shots easily and create point-scoring opportunities for her team often. McHaffie will be important to North Douglas's lineup this fall. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["126169"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePeterson has been a huge offensive weapon for Cascade since her freshman year, earning 4A Oregon West all-league first team and all-state second team accolades for her impressive play last season. With a bouncy, explosive approach, a powerful arm swing, and the ability to find the holes on the court, Peterson is hard to beat on offense, which was made clear by the 275 kills she tallied last fall. She also has a wicked, deadly serve. After wrapping up her season on the NPJ 17 National team, Peterson is ready to dominate.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["267165"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAs the #1 middle blocker for the class of 2026, Schaaf was a huge pickup for Catlin Gabel this past season. As just a freshman, Schaaf earned 3A Lewis u0026amp; Clark all-league first team and all-state third team accolades. Standing at 6'3”, Schaaf gets up super high and puts the ball straight down; she is very quick, too, and really effective when running a slide. Schaaf was an instrumental piece of the OJVA 15-1 team this year, where she racked up points for her team on offense. She will be one to watch over the next few years. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f664a448af7"} /-->