2023 NSAA State Championship All-Position Teams: Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's meet in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our all-position teams from the 2023 NSAA State Championships are rolling out, and we've already covered a stacked group of setters and liberos. It's time to move into the frontcourt, where our first stop will be at middle blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatility is about to be a huge theme with these multi-talented athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["109603"],"_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":"This year's tournament marked the end of Tvrdy's brilliant prep career. The Papillion-La Vista middle blocker had many more shining moments left to give before embarking on her collegiate tenure with Oregon. Tvrdy climbed toward 400 total kills this season and cemented her status as Nebraska's best slide terminator.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["152857"],"_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":"Lionberger had been Lincoln Southwest's offensive spark plug for a while, but she reached new heights in pursuit of the school's first state title. The senior has a unique skill set that features a mixture of quick kills and two-footed approaches on the right, similar to an opposite. Navy is getting a well-rounded athlete who can play a variety of positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["105000"],"_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":"Spilker's constant development culminated in a leading role with Norris as a senior. We had seen Spilker play opposite in past Norris tournament appearances, but her primary role was in the middle for this year's squad. The Omaha commit used her length and reach to hit serious angles while also anchoring a strong Titan block.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["445956"],"_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":"The freshman! Wallraff's move from Arizona to the outskirts of Omaha has been fruitfulu002du002despecially for Elkhorn North. The Wolves were not afraid to give this first-year middle blocker some serious attacking volume. Wallraff was lethal on the slide, in front of the setter, and even on the back-row pipe in her serving rotation. There's little she can't do, and the journey is just beginning.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["269908"],"_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":"Seward is seeing sustained success with Miller locking down the net. The junior found a new gear in 2023 with over 300 kills in a hybrid middle-pin role that the Bluejays deploy so well. A rare combination of athleticism and length has propelled Miller into the Class B spotlight, and she still has a year left on the prep scene.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["155052"],"_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":"Link's astonishing stat line in the Class B championship match is a microcosm of her wide-ranging influence. She notched 10 kills and nine blocks against Norris, finishing just short of a rare block-driven double-double. Every time you think there might be a new torchbearer in Class B, rising Skutt Catholic stars like Link showcase their best volleyball in the postseason.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["269911"],"_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":"Dzingle started the year off strong with a brilliant club campaign with Nebraska Pride. That turned out to be a precursor to a dominant junior year with Kearney Catholic as the Stars claimed C1's top seed. Few opposing teams were able to match Dzingle's quickness of the floor in last week's championships.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["269907"],"_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":"If you had to name an individual u0022blocking championu0022 in Class C1 this year, Riggert ought to be high on your list. Few prep players manage to eclipse triple-digit blocks, but Riggert put up those head-spinning numbers for Pierce en route to a semifinal appearance. Plus, Riggert was second on the team in kills for good measure.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["395132"],"_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":"Minden's state championship effort may have appeared pin-heavy at times, but we can't forget about what rising stars like Betty accomplished. The Whippets love their quick, springy middle blockers, and that's the exact niche Betty filled. Moreover, her blocking reads were often a catalyst for big Minden scoring runs in the tournament's biggest moments.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["104981"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"O'Hare defines the versatility we mentioned in the opener. Throughout Gothenburg's three-year postseason stint, O'Hare has played as a rare setter-middle who led the Swedes in a host of statistical categories. Players of that mold don't come around often, and O'Hare deserves a lot of props for ushering in Gothenburg's greatest stint of volleyball success in program history.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["349457"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Lincoln Lutheran keeps reloading. Sjuts stepped into the Warrior lineup and fortified a dominant frontcourt that has helped Lincoln Lutheran win three consecutive state titles. Our scouting report on Sjuts from the club season noted her ability to play a variety of positions, including setter. As a sophomore Warrior, however, Sjuts was fully committed to shutting down opposing hitters as a dynamic middle blocker.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["124779"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Speed is the name of the game for Backemeyer. She's so difficult to defend because she can get from pin to pin before opposing blockers have a chance to track her. Backemeyer also disguises her routes well and thrives in the two-hitter rotations that give her free reign at the net. Look out for Elmwood-Murdock's new offensive leader.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["122806"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Hanel gave it everything she had for one final championship push with Clarkson/Leigh. We have a full catalogue of memories from Hanel's time in Lincoln, as she led the Patriots to postseason appearances in every year of her career. 2023 was the finest outing yet as Hanel willed her team to its first championship match. She then took over en route to a fifth set with C2 juggernaut Lincoln Lutheran. Hanel was a six-rotation star who forever changed the trajectory of Clarkson/Leigh's volleyball program.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["459963"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Class D1's top seed had some serious strength along the net. Skoda may not be strictly defined as a middle blocker, as she took huge swings on the left and even contributed in the back row. Regardless, her impact in the Guardian Angels Central Catholic lineup helped put the Bluejay powerhouse back on the map.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["122819"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"Herrick had quite a return to the championship stage. We were amazed with her November production last year when she led Amherst to a surprising semifinal berth. The Broncos went one step further to the title match while Herrick built on a swan song season with over 300 kills.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_15_player":["253912"],"_player_evaluations_15_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"Henn just has a knack for slugging it through the block. Opposing teams committed two blockers to EPPJ's dominant middle blocker, but Henn still found ways to score with sheer power. She's another one of Class D1's all-around stars who managed to put up the kind of kill totals you'd expect from an outside hitter.","_player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_16_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_16_player_details_player_name":"Lorissa Reiman","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_16_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_16_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_16_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_16_player_details_school":"St. Mary's","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_16_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_16_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_16_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_16_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"Reiman's emergence at the state tournament was something to behold. We had seen her senior counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id='256644' first='Mya' last='Hedstrom'], take over matches in past postseason matches. But St. Mary's gained some serious steam during Reiman's frontcourt rotations, as the versatile attacker showed a whippy arm and effortless elevation. Small-town gems always rise up on the biggest stages.","_player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_17_player":["109591"],"_player_evaluations_17_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"We said it in our senior feature earlier this week: O'Neill has to be the MVP of the Class D1 tournament. It wasn't just the stunning 33-kill performance O'Neill produced in Sumner-Eddyville-Miller's title-winning triumph, either. The six-rotation middle blocker maintained a standard of excellence throughout the season that turned a #6 seed into much more than a dark horse team.","_player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_18_player":["275967"],"_player_evaluations_18_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"Why not both? Sumner-Eddyville-Miller made its mark in the middle this year with O'Neill and Arbuthnot leading the way as the #1 and #2 scorers, respectively. Arbuthnot is no stranger to putting up monster numbers, and she's just a sophomore with more room to grow as an upperclassman. She can kill balls from anywhere along the net, including as a situational outside hitter. Expect Arbuthnot to pace the Mustang attack next fall.","_player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_19_player":["607"],"_player_evaluations_19_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"Johnson is the kind of middle blocker who can terminate on any tempo she's given. In fact, the Cambridge junior was perhaps most effective on the slow, higher sets that allowed her to use her length to overpower opposing blockers. It's no wonder why Johnson had over 300 kills this season while also putting up some of the state's best efficiency marks.","_player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_20_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_20_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_20_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_20_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='492398' first='Allison' last='Wieseler']","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_20_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_20_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_20_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_20_player_details_school":"Wynot","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_20_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_20_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_20_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_20_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_20_evaluation":"Wynot's physical front row was among Class D2's best, and Wieseler was clearly a ringleader in that regard. She put up a lofty block total in her final season in addition to all the crucial kills she brought to the offense. And, even when Wieseler wasn't finishing rallies, her quality block touches ensured that Wynot had chances to set up in transition.","_player_evaluations_20_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_21_player":["105006"],"_player_evaluations_21_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_21_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_21_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_21_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_21_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_21_evaluation":"Easy choice, right? Ryan graduates with the kind of career numbers that few will ever match. But, for such a fierce competitor, the euphoria of walking off with a long-awaited state title is more important. Overton looked to its star senior for consistent production, and consistency remained the cornerstone of Ryan's game for one final tournament. No one could stop her.","_player_evaluations_21_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_22_player":["172559"],"_player_evaluations_22_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_22_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_22_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_22_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_22_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_22_evaluation":"This is another instance where the inclusion of both middle blockers on a single team is absolutely mandatory. Class D2 has not seen this kind of 1-2 punch at this position in quite a while. Wood brought her own dominant traits to the Overton frontcourt, including a wicked attack behind the setter in two-hitter rotations. Opposing teams never got a break from Overton's middle blocker onslaught, which is a big reason why the Eagles conquered Class D2 in 2023.","_player_evaluations_22_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_23_player":["462418"],"_player_evaluations_23_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_23_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_23_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_23_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_23_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_23_evaluation":"Class D2 clearly had no shortage of stars at this position. Hofstetter distinguished herself as the second-leading scorer for Meridian as the Mustangs reclaimed their familiar spot in the state championships. She took part in the majority of Meridian's blocks this year by using her physicality and reading skills to take over along the net.","_player_evaluations_23_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":24,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654dd7022f3de"} /-->