2024 Emperor’s Cup – Top Middles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Emperor's Cup recently took place from May 3rd to 5th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hundreds of players from across the nation had the opportunity to showcase their skills in one of the last club volleyball tournaments of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the opportunity to attend and caught up with some prospects I've already been scouting, while discovering some new names along the way. I was very impressed with several middle blockers, but here are a few that really stood out at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Janae Dunaway","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Liberty","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Vegas United 17 Black","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eJanae is not only a great hitter, she is a smart player with impressive volleyball iq. She manages to read blocks before attacking and adjust accordingly to get the kill, whether a hard swing or clever tip to a hole. Her quick arm swing makes it hard for opponents to defend her deep corner shots from middle, often resulting in a point. Dunaway is a great asset on front row and was fun to watch as she contributed to her team's second place finish in the 17 Open Championship.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["528088"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eKara played a pivotal role in Vegas United 15 Black's weekend success, showcasing her dominance with big blocks and powerful hits. She really wowed me with her aggressiveness on front row, both offensively and defensively. The freshman is actively engaged during plays and stays ready to execute a powerful hit or a well-timed tip. With the help of several key kills and blocks from Dhingra, her team was able to secure an impressive third place finish in the 15U division. Kara is definitely a player to keep an eye on next season for sure.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633230995777"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6mJFn0vdhE/?igsh=NnpkMTRqZGRzanJ2","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6mJFn0vdhE/?igsh=NnpkMTRqZGRzanJ2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Piper Halvorson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arbor View","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Vegas United 17 Black National ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003ePiper is another middle for Vegas United 17 Black that is proving to be a force in Nevada. Her height allows her to catch the ball high above opponents, easily hitting over and around the block. The 6'2” junior brings a lot of energy to the court and made some really big plays when her team needed them. She has a lot of power behind her quick swing and finesse behind her well-timed tips. She helped her club team finish second in 17U Open division. Looking forward to catching her in more action during her senior year. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663323099585c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5hrH-juF-M/?igsh=MXZ6N21tbmhxa3JoaA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5hrH-juF-M/?igsh=MXZ6N21tbmhxa3JoaA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mackenzie Martin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Faith Lutheran","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"BBCLV 15 Adrian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eThis was a very exciting middle to watch over the weekend. Mackenzie had some really great kills over the weekend and her on-court energy was very contagious. Martin really impressed me by running nearly ever middle attack effectively or capitalizing on overpass kills, but her 3's were my favorites. She is very good at hitting to the left or right of blockers to reach her opponents deep corners, a high level skill. With the help of many key plays from the freshman, her club team was able to secure a top ten finish in the 15u division. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["528228"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eNatasha consistently impresses me with her performance, and her latest showing at the Emperor's Cup this past weekend was no exception. Kleckner excels at capitalizing on second attempts, exploiting gaps with her powerful attacks or well-placed tips. With her high reach, predicting Natasha's next move can be a difficult task, often catching opponents off guard. Her crucial kills and key blocks helped her squad secure third place in the 18 Liberty division. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Lola Shanahan","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Southwest Career and Technical Academy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"BBCLV 15 Adrian","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eLola's all-around game as a freshman is very impressive. On front row, her well-timed blocks, smart tips and powerful attacks from middle front helped her team score several points throughout the tournament. On back row, Shanahan was effective at digging tough balls, passing well on serve receive and earning a few extra points with service aces. With her help, BBCLV 15 Adrian was able to secure second in the silver bracket. This freshman should prove to become an elite six-rotation player very soon. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a7d53e2523"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were many other players that did a great job over the weekend and I will be highlighting more positional standouts soon. If there is a player you would like to add to my radar, please email me at: <a href="mailto:lasvegasvbanalyst@gmail.com">lasvegasvbanalyst@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;or DM me on Instagram<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lasvegasvbanalyst?igsh=dXdjMHVnZTc0d3h6&amp;utm_source=qr">@lasvegasvbanalyst</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->