MLK Invitational: 16/17/18 Open – Top Middles
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his past weekend, Houston hosted a massive national-level club tournament, the 2024 MLK Invitational, which featured more than 250 teams from several states, with two of the three days of the event taking place at the NRG Center in Downtown.…
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Continue Readinghis past weekend, Houston hosted a massive national-level club tournament, the 2024 MLK Invitational, which featured more than 250 teams from several states, with two of the three days of the event taking place at the NRG Center in Downtown.
Texas was represented with multiple teams in every division and some of the most exciting prospects of the Lone Star State got to go on the court and battle teams from other states over three days.
On Monday, Prep Dig was at the NRG Center, following the Texas teams that competed in the 16 Open, 17 Open and 18 Open golden brackets. Several players caught our attention and this week we’ll feature them – let’s now take a look at the middles that dominated the net.
Emily Parker
Emily Parker
Parker offered a big presence for CC Force 161 Crossfire at the net and helped the team get a third-place finish in the 16 Open division with four wins and four losses. Very tall and long, she was a force on offense, making contact with the ball at a very high point and displaying good resources and variation to put the ball down. Parker also has a massive blocking presence at the net and got several touches in the match against FaR Out 16 Black, but will probably get even better at that once she continues to improve her mobility.
Known as one of the top blockers in the Houston area, Rugley showed she’s becoming a force on offense too and was one of AVA TX 17 Adidas’ standouts as they finished third in the 17 Open division with seven wins and two losses. She displayed great chemistry with setter Caelyn Dumas Caelyn Dumas 5’10” | S Tompkins | 2025 State TX and was a nightmare for opposing blockers, hitting different sets down the middle with great success – she was unstoppable against Boiler Jrs 171E Gold. Her blocking was as efficient as usual as Rugley is very big and physical, but also mobile and quick to get above the net.
Highlights
Kendall Glover
Kendall Glover
Glover’s physicality in the middle was a huge asset for TAV Houston 17 Adidas as the team got fifth in the 17 Open division with three wins and five losses. She formed a strong middle blocker duo with Carly Paugh Carly Paugh 6’2″ | MB Willis | 2025 State TX and while her teammate was more productive offensively, she made a major impact with her blocking. A tall and physical blocker, Glover read the game well and moved well at the net, getting a lot of touches and generating transition opportunities for her team. She wasn’t heavily involved in the team’s offense, but responded well when she did, swinging with power.
Kailey Sexton
Kailey Sexton
Sexton was able to make an impact in the middle with Houston Stellar 17 Elite with her length – the team finished ninth with two wins and five losses. She had a good presence at the net and created problems for opposing hitters with her long arms, at times forcing them to make mistakes by trying to hit around her. Sexton also had some good moments offensively and was especially effective when hitting the slide set.
Carter was a big part of the AVA TX 18 Adidas team that finished second in the 18 Open division with a campaign of six wins and two losses. She was on a very good day offensively on Monday and her setters did a good job of understanding that and feeding her the ball when they had a chance. Because of her high contact point and quick right arm, Sexton was able to beat the blockers most of the time and put the ball down, doing that quite a few times in critical plays. The middle also had a solid blocking presence, moving well at the net and making strong moves with her arms above the net.