Missouri’s Standout Middle Blockers from #PDStockUpMOKC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring out some top performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremy Deckard has covered much of the player landscape on the Kansas side of the border. My post-event coverage will mostly address the Missouri side, and I'm excited to share some of my discoveries after this <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/08/first-impressions-from-an-outsider-at-pdstockupmokc/">"outsider"</a> journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're kicking things off in the middle. The Show Me State brought some serious middle firepower to Kansas City, so let's bring a few into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["537821"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b179a1754f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaufmann leads us off and is one of my all-tournament picks from the Missouri crowd. She tallied nearly two kills per set last fall to cap off a breakout sophomore campaign. This athletic middle blocker maintained her positive momentum with 417 Juniors and was a focal point of the 16 National Royal offense. Some of Kaufmann's best plays came in front of a local crowd at the Show Me Qualifier, and the same can be said of her latest outing in Kansas City. Defenders at the Stock Up Showcase had to work hard to slow down Kaufmann.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["525837"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b179a175571"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole is putting Platte County on the map. The [program_tooltip program_id='515242' first='Optimum' last='Volleyball Club'] standout is a fierce competitor who thrives in fast-paced environments like Saturday's showcase. Her successful prep tenure with Platte County High School has materialized on the stat sheet, too. Cole led the Pirates in blocks last year and was a year-long starter on a senior-laden roster. Hard work in the offseason has primed Cole for further gains as she becomes an upperclassman leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["236997"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b179a175615"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rutledge is a University of Kansas commit who brings ample physicality to compete at the D1 level. She's listed as a middle blocker but showed her infinite versatility at Saturday's event. Team drills allowed Rutledge to demonstrate her aptitude as a right-side hitter, where she can hammer the ball with serious range. This Webb City standout can also terminate off of one foot, adding to her expanding repertoire behind the setter. Rutledge set a high bar with 3.4 kills per set as a sophomore, but she's ready to reach even higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[489911],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b179a175679"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's trek over to the St. Louis area. Freesmeier represented HPSTL 15 Orange during this year's club season and amassed an impressive highlight tape at the middle blocker spot. She brings infectious energy and competitiveness to the floor, even if she's competing with unfamiliar teammates at a showcase. Freesmeier's quick, explosive approach gives opposing blockers little time to set up and defend her. The soaring St. Louis prep scene looks even more impressive after what we saw at the Stock Up Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533968"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b179a1756d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finally, we'll put [program_tooltip program_id='430577' first='Invasion' last='Volleyball Club'] on the board. This group was well-represented in Kansas City last weekend, and Richberg was quick to find the spotlight among her peers. She's a high-volume scorer who can operate in the middle or on the right pin. Richberg is most effective on 'gap' sets away from the setter, making her a worthy setting target on slower tempos. This versatile athlete will also bring plenty of on-court energy that always shows up on her Invasion highlight reels. Saturday's event was an extraordinary introduction to Richerberg's endless potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->