2023 PD Michigan Top 250: The Towers in the Middle

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>!&nbsp;</em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em>&nbsp;(APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>it was a packed house in the UWM Sports Complex today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over 100+ athletes from all over the state of Michigan and the Northern Ohio area we're coming out to show off what they got. It was a showcase filled to the brim with talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were no shortage of middles here and there was no shortage of talent within them either. Thiis position offered up some of the most promising prospects in the middle from the underclassman with a handful of juniors. Take a look at who impressed the most from the middles group at the Michigan Top 250.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jayla&nbsp;Zayti - Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After watching her throughout the fall season, and now the top 250, I think this player is poised for a big club season. [player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti'] was one of the most dominant blocker this weekend. A strong sense for the opposing offense, Zayti was often in great position to slow down the ball at the net. I really liked seeing her growth offensively. Whether in front of or behind the setter, Zayti is showing a lot more range in that aspect of the game..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez']&nbsp;- Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 2025 middle blocker is coming off of a huge high school campaign. Of the middles in the field, [player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez'] showed just why she was one of the best middles in Division II this fall. A really versatile attacker, Rodriguez can put a lot of pace on the ball just about anywhere on the court. Rodriguez is also a strong blocker and does a great job in transition to be available for ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley'] - Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saline had a really deep bench of front row attackers this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley'] was one of those up-and-coming names that showed a lot of promise. A Top 250 returner, Beazley's game is on the rise and there's no knowing where it could go. Beazley was showing some nice hop to her game. She's quick on the ball in front of the setter and can do good work on the right pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='445679' first='Taylor' last='Dahms']&nbsp;- L2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of up-and-coming names out of the Saline cannon, [player_tooltip player_id='445679' first='Taylor' last='Dahms'] is another name you have to keep an eye on this club season. Standing at 6'3 with a nice arm span, Dahms poses as a really stout blocker. Her eye work at the net was top tier and she was getting plenty of touches. Dahms is also showing off a little more muscle in her swings as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan']&nbsp;- L2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are no shortage of middle blockers over at Bedford HS. [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] may not have gotten the most time this fall, but upon watching her at the showcase, she flies to the top of my list for players to watch this club season. Monahan puts some serious heat on the ball. Her block to transition game is also particularly strong. This player is a terminator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Amia Coates - Fairplay</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a new name to come on my radar and I am glad she is. <strong>Amia Coates</strong> is a real raw and athletic player. A bright spot from the 250, Coates has a lot of intangibles for a middle that can't be taught. She is very fast-twitched minded which allowed her to make athletic plays even in the toughest positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'] - L2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Dahms and Monahan, [player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'] completes what should be a trifecta of middles for L2 161 this coming club season. I was impressed with what this player brought to the 250. She's an athletic player who can adjust to just about any play. Gibbs works well from pin to pin and when she can get a good contact on the ball, she's putting it away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261184' first='Liz' last='Grajewski'] - High Performance</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261184' first='Liz' last='Grajewski'] may have been one of the smallest middles at the 250. You wouldn't be able to tell however with her hops and ability to get on top of the ball. She is not only quick off of the ground, but she's fast onto this ball. With this speed, Grajewski finds herself hanging tough against some of the biggest players we had on tap in Pontiac.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->