NorthWest Middles to Watch at Triple Crown

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positional Preview: Triple Crown NIT 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented group of teams from the Pacific Northwest is heading to the Triple Crown National Invitation tournament in Kansas City this weekend. This tournament, which takes place over President's Day weekend, is the most challenging and competitive event on the club season schedule, bringing together the best teams and club programs nationwide. This weekend marks the start of a new chapter for college coaches, as they have their first significant opportunity to recruit the most promising players from across the country. Teams from Washington, Oregon, and the rest of the PNW are loaded with talent, and we eagerly anticipate the standout performances of several middle blockers. This weekend's tournament promises to be an inspiring showcase of skill and all-out effort for all the teams from the Upper Left in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["201074"],"_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":"The top ranked player in her class, [player_tooltip player_id='201074' first='Elizabeth' last='Andrew'] is a 2024 out of Ridgefield, and a Stanford commit. Standing at an impressive 6'5u0022, Andrew is a dominant force on the court, particularly excelling as a blocker. With her impressive wingspan and press across the net, she is a formidable opponent for any attacker. Andrew's skillset also includes a wicked topspin jump serve and the ability to defend in the back row. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='252594' first='Ali' last='Millspaugh'] from Prairie and fellow Ridgefield Spudder [player_tooltip player_id='260128' first='Hailey' last='McEllrath'], Andrew will lead her Athena 18 Gold team into the tournament with a well-coached, energetic, and hard-working approach to the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65caf9ed720be"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["266132"],"_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":"A junior from Capital High School, Williams has been impressive for Dakine 17 Surf in the early part of the season. She has been ripping the ball with authority and added power, and has found a groove taking swings behind her setter and from the right pin. Williams has found another level of aggression with her swing, she is terminating with a quick, punishing snap that is leaving defenders flat footed. The 6'3u0022 2025 prospect is one to keep an eye on in Kansas City.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65caf9ed72149"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184440"],"_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":"NPJ 17 Seattle National has gained a significant player in Sneva, whose prowess on the court is well documented. At 6'2u0022, Sneva boasts exceptional skills that enable her to punish opposing defenses, particularly in crucial moments. This season, she has honed her transition footwork, allowing her to be more readily available for swings and to challenge opposing middles. To secure victories this weekend, Sneva will need to collaborate with u003cstrongu003eHolly McFaddenu003c/strongu003e and u003cstrongu003eGabi Smithu003c/strongu003e, both of whom are impressive middle blockers in their own right, to counter the high-octane offensive game of their opponents. We look forward to seeing how this formidable trio will perform over the holiday weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65caf9ed721b0"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Middles from the PNW!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big Sky Volleyball 17</strong> brings two exceptional middle blockers to the Triple Crown. <strong>Leela Ormsby</strong>, a USAV National Team Development Program player, recently committed to Michigan State in the Big Ten. With her 6'3" length and excellent footwork, she is a powerful player at the net with solid footwork. <strong>Cadence Lundgren</strong> stands 6'4" and is a future Kansas State Wildcat with a well-rounded game. She achieved remarkable numbers this year as a blocker, attacker, and server for Gallatin High School. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Idaho Crush 18 Hawkins. Cierra Bohrn</strong> is a 6-foot middle who is quick off her feet and can play the right side effectively. The Twin Falls standout will play her college ball at the College of Idaho, and Bohrn has the offensive explosion to make a difference quickly for the Yotes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Idaho Crush 17 Bower. </strong>The 17 Bower squad finished second in the 17 Open Division at Northern Lights and has several explosive athletes. <b>Brooke Hardy </b>is a 2026 MB with a big-time vertical who touches over 10 feet. She has a whippy arm and can finish the quick set decisively, blasting kills to the floor before blockers can close. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OJVA 18 Gold</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126031' first='Hailey' last='Heytvelt']</strong> is one of the top middles in Oregon; the Lasalle Catholic star will play for Campbell University in the Southern Conference next season. A dominant blocker, Heytvelt can get it rolling offensively, too- she hit over .450 her senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NPJ 18 Forefront.</strong> Triple Crown organizers selected Forefront to play in one of the Power Pools, an accomplishment in and of itself considering the quality of the field assembled. The team is loaded in the middle with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244416' first='Lauryn' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126161' first='Chloe' last='Leluge']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161826' first='Taelyn' last='Bentley']</strong>. Johnson is an Arizona State commit; Leluge will tee it up next season for Cal Poly, and Bentley is a rising 2025 prospect from Crescent Valley. The group has positional versatility; Johnson and Leluge are terrific from the pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->