Middles in Beast Mode at the Gauntlet: Part 2

This second piece in my two-part series on middles will focus primarily on the class of 2027. Middles have one of the toughest jobs on the court and I was thoroughly impressed by their talent and athleticism at the highly competitive tournament.    Ainsley has a lot of length, and she uses every inch of it to make an impact. She made some huge stops with her block and was an offensive weapon. Ainsley was athletic in her block from pin to pin and moved quickly and efficiently in transition.     Abby is a powerhouse middle. She was in beast mode throughout the tournament. Her impact on the court could be felt in every rotation. She had some game-changing swings and massive rips on the ball. Her power and talent are already impressive, and I cannot wait to see what she does as she continues to play at a high level.     Caroline was incredibly impressive. She really jumped out at me on day 2 of the Gauntlet. She was ruthless on offense, and I saw her power a ball to the 10' line. When she connects with her setter, she is dangerous on offense. She also is disciplined and effective on defense.     Chloe is a high-flying middle with an explosive approach. She has consistent contact on the ball and can elevate above many opposing hitters. She impressed me in the middle at the Gauntlet and is a very dynamic athlete with a lot of potential.     Abigail exploded onto my radar at the Gauntlet. She was playing out of the middle for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] and did an amazing job. She is an all-around talented middle who is so balanced with her offensive and defensive impact. She is also a very competitive server who regularly was on the service line for multiple points in a row.     Elizabeth is a consistent force at the net. She is an impact athlete and one to keep an eye on in this class. She is physical yet smart and really handles the middle position well. Elizabeth is an offensive weapon in the front row, and when she gets going, she is tough to stop.     Addison was one of the most well-rounded middles in this class at the Gauntlet. She is physical, powerful, and aggressive. She is a player who will be dangerous as she continues to improve. Her huge block, explosive movement, and ability to read and react to plays make her incredibly valuable on the court.     Lauren really impressed me with the little things she did. On several occasions, I saw her drop a hand when blocking to take away angle shots. This is a high-level move, and she makes it look effortless. She is an incredibly talented blocker who makes great adjustments and smart split-second decisions.     Kiersten was super fun to watch at the Gauntlet. She was regularly in the front row with setter Payton Scrifes and ran a smooth and explosive slide. She has great footwork and an awesome setter-middle connection. Everything she does is clean and disciplined, and it really sets her up for success.

This second piece in my two-part series on middles will focus primarily on the class of 2027. Middles have one of the toughest jobs on the court and I was thoroughly impressed by their talent and athleticism at the highly competitive tournament.