Standout Middle Blockers from Midwest Power League #1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We weren't about to leave middle blockers out of this conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we featured a medley of pin hitters who made a big impact at Sunday's Midwest Power League. For every head-turning pin hitter at this event, a showstopping middle blocker rose to the forefront, too. Time to give these exceptional athletes their due credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All classes are in play once again. It's a middle blocker variety pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["336547"],"_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":"Loveless has been a persistent top performer in the Club Legacy gym. Time to run it back one more time at the 18s level. We got another glimpse of Loveless' willingness to be a go-to middle blocker, especially on slide patterns behind the setter. Her quick elevation on the right pin helps spread out 18 Alpha's offense, which will be vital in the upcoming qualifier gauntlet.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["172559"],"_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":"She's not done yet. Wood walked off of the prep stage last fall with a Class D2 state title at Overton. Her slide attacks and competitive spirit were legendary on Nebraska's small-town scene. Wood now brings those valuable traits to South Central NE 18 Black, and it's already paying dividends in 2024.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["189362"],"_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":"This ought to be a fun season for Venable. VCNebraska 17 Elite has some new pieces this year, but Venable is one of the vital constants at middle blocker. She put up all-state numbers with Lincoln Pius X last fall as the Thunderbolts clawed to a state tournament appearance. Expect that kind of influence with 17 Elite, and it all starts in Minneapolis.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["189413"],"_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":"Why not stick with this [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite team? Physicality is a major strength for this group, especially with Rasmussen locking down the net from the middle. This Lincoln-area standout has demonstrated incredible improvement over her multiple seasons with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last='']. Rasmussen can close any block quickly and uses her length to present a formidable wall. 17 Elite has also established Rasmussen as an offensive threat on the 'quick.' Time to see how Rasmussen and 17 Elite perform on the national stage at NLQ.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["269910"],"_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":"Another big outing for Schmidtu002du002dbut on the club side this time. We documented her high-efficiency junior campaign with Omaha Concordia, and Schmidt is back for more as a member of Premier 17 Red. She is incredibly terminal in front of the setter, but her impact doesn't stop there. Schmidt's impressive blocking reach allows her to slow down opposing attacks to set up 17 Red's transition offense. Middle blockers can make a splash with floor-denting kills or the little touches on the block. Schmidt gives you both.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["275936"],"_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":"Electric. That's your single-word description for Erb's performances with Premier 16 Gold. We found that out last year when she rose up with 15 Gold en route to an Open bid. Erb remains one of Nebraska's quickest middle blockers in the 2026 class, which aids her no matter where she's attacking along the net. Look out for the Columbus native.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["458184"],"_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":"We learned a lot about Nebraska Elite's top 15s squad at the Midwest Power League. Deats was a wildcard for us with all the front-row positions she can play. Her reps at middle blocker looked good last weekend, so we could see Deats shoulder a critical role at NLQ this weekend. Let's see how the narrative evolves.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["458163"],"_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":"Cramer is a perfect fit for Premier 15 Gold's variable, multi-dimensional frontcourt. Her natural position is in the middle, but Cramer can easily switch to the right side depending on which players are next to her. A stout combination of length and athleticism could yield some impressive blocking numbers this year, and we're only seeing the beginning of Cramer's development.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='521094' first='Charlotte' last='Gregg']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Elkhorn South","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"Premier 15 Black","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Elkhorn South is stockpiling some middle blocker talent in the younger age groups, and Gregg is another one worth following for the next few years. She made an immediate impression whenever she rotated into her frontcourt rotations with Premier 15 Black. Gregg is already an instinctive blocker who adds a quick arm whenever she gets attacking opportunities. Those skills will be tested this weekend in Minneapolis, a place that has been good to prior 15 Black teams competing in the USA division.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b08ccd16159"} /-->