2026 Middles Playing Big This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore middle blockers from Washington have shone in tournaments across the state and nationally, competing in Bid competitions, National Qualifiers, and local Power Leagues against regional foes. Several 2026 prospects are highlighted here, and some new names have made their way onto the Prep Dig Washington radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["491189"],"_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":"CRU Max teams made their 2024 tournament debut at the Northwest Jamboree Tournament in Yakima this weekend. CRU is implementing a condensed schedule, emphasizing extensive training in January and February, followed by a tournament schedule in the main recruiting window of March and April.  The 18's and 16's met in the final of the NW Jamboree with the 18's taking the victory in two sets.rnrnDidjurgis is a 2026 with good length, and a nice touch when she is operating around the net. The Eastmont prospect had several big matches during the Big 9 season, including 4 blocks against Wenatchee and 6 blocks versus Moses Lake. She has good hands and vision as an attacker, taking big swings at the back corners and dropping in soft, accurate tips when she has the open spot. She will play for the CRU MAX 15 team, making their tournament debut at the Red Rock Rave later this month in Las Vegas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eabfcd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20101086/6502553eb3c8601834e9862a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65efb392715a6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518995"],"_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":"Playing for a Riptide 16 Tsunami squad with athletes from the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area, Kaur competed hard at the Colorado Crossroads tournament. Riptide finished 11th in the 16 Premier Division, and Kaur was active patrolling the middle. The Central Valley sophomore is athletic and showed good movement working to close the block. Her arm swing is quick and natural, and when her footwork and timing line up she generates good power on her attacks. Kaur already has terrific form and timing sending down an overpass, she stayed aggressive at the net during the tournament for Riptide.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac023"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403351"],"_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":"Pederson has great size and moves well for her NPJ 16 Salem team. She presses hard and turns her hands to shape the ball and keep the ball in the court as a blocker. The 2026 from Camas has great hands and reactions, she was able to quickly pop over a misdirected block for an easy kill at the net against Alliance 16 Ren playing at Bluegrass.rnrnNPJ battled at the tournament in Louisville, and after a long Alliance run of points Pederson bailed out NPJ with a hard rip from the right side that rolled down the front of the of the block to turn the tide. Her own tough serving and hustling defense in the back row out forced Alliance into a time out, she located a dropping short serve well in front of the ten foot line that gave teams problems. Offensively Pederson turns the ball around and off the block for points, she rarely hammers a swing straight into the block, preferring to find either corner with her attacks.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac069"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <p class="wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20359555/6538e09519a5ca171cfaaeab' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65efb3927164b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["244105"],"_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":"Strom and her WVBA 16 Molten team battled to a 17th place finish in the 16 Club Division at Blue Grass. A sophomore from Lake Stevens, Strom is relentless closing the block, and anticipates and reads attackers and setters across the net. She was able to deliver some timely blocks to keep her team rolling in matches against Far Out Red 16 and TPV Renegade, and she scored on strong overpass kills and a sweeping power tip. At 5'10u0022, Strom has the length, power and skill to score, especially when the team was able to find her for in system swings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac0ad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18266165/6531190b176c56080ca59ec8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e001b7943e4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac0f0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409023"],"_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":"Wilson had an excellent weekend for Oly Reign 16 Gold at the Colorado Crossroads, the team finished 3rd overall in the 16 Premier Division. The Olympia Bear is nearly 6-foot, and she has a powerful approach that she uses to put a charge into the ball on her attacks. Some of her most impressive kills at Crossroads were delivered via a sweet tip, sent down after Wilson hung in the air and searched for an open spot in the defense. The 2026 middle has the feel of a player on the rise and is one to watch moving forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac133"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20304782/65f1bd3f041dae03dc176d39' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f274e41012b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20304782/65ed592fa681601144947025' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653171e65524a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518994"],"_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 sophomore playing for Renovators 16, Schwab is quick off the floor and a talented multi-sport athlete who excels on the field during the Lacrosse season. The 2026 prospect from Gonzaga Prep is rapidly developing her game, converting her athleticism and easy arm swing into kills as she gains experience. Her timing as a blocker is excellent, she is able to see and anticipate hitters and use her quickness to shut down hitting angles.rnrnrnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.instagram.com/p/C3wbABrNTNV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0022u003eSophia Schwab 2026u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652f2d3eac174"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->