Washington Top 250: Middles On Point Pt. 1

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Prospects Who Shined!</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blockers were out in force and playing hard at the Washington Top 250 Expo. From seniors with years of work playing club and school ball to freshmen just finishing year one, these prospects all had excellent performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["460444"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Red Elk had a terrific Expo, showing her experience and  impressing coaches with her tremendous work to close the block each and every rep. The senior from Snohomish will play for BRVB in her last club season, and the 6'1 MB is looking to have a final season to remember. Red Elk moved the ball around offensively, taking big swings and using off-speed when she needed to find a way to make a difficult set work.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/HR16831-crop-4137x2717-1702391560.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-489882u0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/HR16831-crop-4137x2717-1702391560.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["488617"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":490275,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Bernard was one of the first 2027 prospects to garner Top Performer honors, the MB from South Kitsap was a standout athletically showing off her impressive vertical and ability to hammer down kills. One Expo coach noted that Bernard had made big strides from the end of her last club season, becoming a consistent threat to score any time she is set.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["486988"],"_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":"A common comment for anyone watching Velasquez was- u0022she can get up!u0022 The 5'8 Middle from Marysville-Pilchuck did not back down against taller players, and used her excellent quickness off the floor to make plays before the blockers were set. The 2025 prospect will be playing for Space Needle Volleyball Foundation at the 18U level, and the junior should only improve as she plays up against tough competition.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["244106"],"_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":"Coaches appreciated Depiano's cerebral approach to the game, she analyzes the play in front of her as a blocker and makes a good strong move when she has the set identified. Her arm swing continues to become more powerful, she hammered multiple kills off hands at the Expo. The Auburn Riverside 2026 has good size at 6'0 and knows how to terminate when the set is there for her.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["434980"],"_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":"The lengthy freshman from Anacortes is showing improvement in all phases of the game. Coaches liked the way Foote tracked the ball while working her way into transition, a skill that requires training and focus, especially for a young 2027 MB. Her ability to adjust to the set and the position of her setter was mentioned more than once. When Foote attacks cross court, she is able to produce some extra heat on her swing- terminating anywhere from the 10-foot line to the back corner.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/HR16814-crop-4035x2649-1702436736.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone wp-image-490302 size-mediumu0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/HR16814-crop-4035x2649-1702436736.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["402537"],"_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":"The Eastlake junior continued to impress coming off an excellent showing at the State 4A Tournament. Coaches commented on her intensity and hustle, and her increased ability to run more routes out of the middle. McCartney is running the u00223u0022 in the seam, and made plays on the quick in front and behind her setters. The 2025 is a long, physical athlete, and the coaches at the Expo felt she has a tremendous ceiling and room to continue improving. We expect a breakout club season for this hard working middle!u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone wp-image-489886 size-mediumu0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/HR16757-1-crop-4400x2890-1702393809.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["400629"],"_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":"One of the top performing blockers at the Expo, Benjamin was pressing low and over and causing issues for opposing attackers. The Cedarcrest junior is 6'3, and several of her roof blocks went straight down for points. Coaches mentioned her continued growth in getting off the net in transition and being available as an option for her setter.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6570028e06e85"} /-->