Emerald City Classic: Five 2027 Middles to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Emerald City Classic is one of the largest club tournaments held on the West Coast over the Memorial Day Weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>268 teams are scheduled to compete on the UW Campus and the Academy Sports Center. Washington Volleyball Academy hosts the 36th edition of the ECC, and teams throughout the Pacific Northwest will battle against clubs from across the West and Canada.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig will be on the scene at the University of Washington, covering the teams and players as they attempt to bring home the tournament title. Before the competition begins, we look at some players preparing to give it their all over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two top-ranked middles in the 2027 Rankings will be on hand, playing in the 15 and 16 Open Age Divisions. We cover those players below and several other prospects ready to roll in Seattle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["434980"],"_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":"Foote is 6'2u0022 with strength, athleticism and a tremendous work ethic. The 2027 from Anacortes has a high ceiling with her length and skill, and is a shut down blocker with great press across the net. Foote and her WVBA 15 Adidas team are seeded #2 overall in the 15 Open, and face a field that includes PJVBC 15 National, NPJ Seattle 15 National, and OJVA 15 Gold among others. Foote is developing into a consistent scorer on the slide attack, hammering away and dropping a soft tip in to mix it up.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662c191a549f2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/TeB0G9diA74?si=sWZ3f8MdvEu5zfQv","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/TeB0G9diA74?si=sWZ3f8MdvEu5zfQv </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486970"],"_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":"Hollis and her Sudden Impact 15 Typhoon team will compete in the 16 Open against a talented group of teams. The Kennedy Catholic middle is explosive and powerful as an attacker, causing problems for defenses with her speed off the floor in system and running transition. Hollis has been terrific at tracking the pass and following her setter to remain an option in the offense. SIVBC Typhoon will rely on her as a terminal attacker over the weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662c191a54a71"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21625351/65d78061dfd8d601342ca6c7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664c240712ec0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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":"Urbanzo is a sterling beach player, and it shows on the indoor side with her defense, ability to read the game, and quickness to the ball. Her Blue Royals 15 National squad will compete in the 16 Open Division, and Urbanzo will be counted on to keep the offense running smoothly. The Everett prospect has a calm motion and upper body when she sets, and delivers with quality location to her attackers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662c191a54ba1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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":"Kot and her NPJ 15 Seattle 15 National team come into the ECC seeded 3rd overall in the 15 Open. Kot is a 2027 libero from Issaquah who is quick to the ball, decisive as a second ball setter, and always has her teammates covered when they swing. She has terrific foot speed and consistently runs down tips and off-speed shots. Kot is a fun player to watch, and she will have NPJ in the hunt for the 15 Open title.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662c191a54c30"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["520856"],"_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":"Williams is a long, lean middle with a quick arm, and big-time upside. She rarely swings straight at the block, she is smart in turning the attack cross court or line to rack up kills. Williams has liberos defending with their hands up, she can fire a hard-driven angle swing at a defender in a hurry with her high contact point and leverage. NW Juniors UA Black comes into the 15 Open seeded 7th overall, and Williams has a chance to face off against excellent middles starting in pool play day one. ","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664d7a3a31f9d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21533941/663a1f92020d89f3b1e2d4c2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664ec6429187f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["459087"],"_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":"Berglund is playing up with CPA 16 Benson during Emerald City, and the Freeman MB is coming off one of her top performances of the year at the Evergreen Regionals Tournament. The 2027 prospect has improved significantly over the course of the school and club seasons, playing with an aggressive mentality and challenging defenses with well located swings. Berglund is turning and running to get off the net in transition, earning attempts with her hard work and keeping the offense balanced.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/avery.berglund/volleyballwomen/videos/2191955u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eAvery Berglund 2027 MB Highlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664c16eb8d7e1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499407"],"_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 Emerald Ridge freshman has good quickness and explosion off the floor out of her middle blocker spot, and has a great connection with her Puyallup Juniors setters. The team looks for Thomas to spark them with her energy and enthusiasm when she makes a play, she has excellent timing on the block and will score on stuff blocks and by jamming down an overpass. PJVBC 15 National is seeded 1st overall in the 15 Open, and recently finished first at the PSR Regional tournament. Thomas will be relied on to close the block and score to help her team make its way through a tough field of contenders.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664d7a3a32068"} /--> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='495382' first='Puget' last='Sound Volleyball Academy'] 15 Legacy comes into the tournament seeded 12th in the 16 Open, and Guardipee will be relied on to provide scoring punch along the frontline. The Puyallup 2027 is an excellent high jumper, and she shows off her excellent vertical when she crushes a ball down the line or slams down an overpass. Guardipee can play and score from the pins or the middle and works hard as a blocker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662c191a54c9a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players, Coaches, and Club Directors: Please claim (or encourage players to) the free prospect profile. Add the photo and highlights you want on the site, change information (clubs, heights, etc), and more. ALL FREE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prepdig.com/prospect-index","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-dig"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-dig wp-block-embed-prep-dig"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prepdig.com/prospect-index </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEW FEATURE: <em>BOOST PROFILE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;<em>Boost&nbsp;Profile</em>&nbsp;feature allows players and families to maximize their exposure on the site. It's found in every article with eval blocks and all Player&nbsp;Profiles. <strong>It's a terrific way to share your coverage on the site across social media easily</strong>; the graphics with full write-ups are only accessible to subscribers (i.e., users who have access to the content).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the Boost Profile graphic:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":541548,"width":"338px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/downloaded-image.png?w=946" alt="" class="wp-image-541548" style="width:338px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->