Top Middles from the Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It used to be that if you were the tallest player on the court coaches would want you to be a middle blocker. Currently, if you are athletic they put you at left side and if you are left handed or not so athletic they line you up on the right side. It seems no one likes playing middle. You perform a lot of side to side movement, usually get taken out in the back row for the libero and rarely get set, at least compared to the pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nowadays, if you want to make a travel volleyball team and they ask for middles to go to one area of the court, go to that area of the court. You will find very little competition. I have coached some pretty impressive middles who are small, but have good timing and are quick at moving to the pins that do a pretty good job blocking. In my opinion, it is one of the most under appreciated positions, but possibly one of the most important ones if you want to build a strong team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the top ten middles from the class of 2028. Only nine were ranked but another from the watch list has come on strong and been added to the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617089' first='India' last='Starr'] (Cox/[program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']) - As a frosh India is not getting a lot of playing time with a good Cox high school team that has begun the season undefeated. Virginia Beach teams generally do not have junior varsity teams so they carry a lot of frosh on the bench. Few of them get playing time. India has gotten in four sets and contributed three kills. Where she really stood out was with [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] in the Junior Nationals. She was clearly one of their top offensive performers for a team that finished 19th in the 14U National Division. At 6'2" there is a lot of potential in her game. She shows some good athleticism in the middle. India debuts at number 7 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586976"],"_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-66e1cbc16c532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abisola might have been voted a top performer award at the Prep Dig frosh showcase but she showed up late. She clearly impressed as one of the top blockers at the event. She also stood out with Maryland Juniors 14 at the Junior Nationals. Abisola stood out as one of their top offensive performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maryland high school volleyball season is just getting started. Abisola is second on her team in kills. She also appears to be getting some back row experience as she is third in digs. That should help with her versatility on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abisola debuts at number 8 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] (Atholton/Metro) - Atholton has started their season 2-1. Where Eliana stood out was in the Junior Nationals where her blocking stood out. She strung together four critical blocks in the first set Metro played at Junior Nationals. Metro generally relies on their left sides to produce their offense. Eliana lists at 5'11" so she brings the height to play middle. For Atholton she lists as a middle/outside so she could add to her versatility with some outside play. Eliana debuts at number 15 in our class of 2028. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617109' first='Margaret' last='Manzer'] (East Volleyball Club) - Margaret was the other middle for [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club'] that dominated in junior nationals at the 14 Nationals Division. Still have not located the high school she plays at. Margaret debuts at number 19 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["585425"],"_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-66e1cbc16c5e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She teams with [player_tooltip player_id='545725' first='Abisola' last='Adeyemo'] as the middle for both Maryland Juniors and Annapolis Area Christian. Currently, Charlotte appears to be the dominate force at the high school level. She leads the team in kills, digs and serve receptions. This tells me she may be playing some left side for her high school. At 5'11' she brings some good height to the court, especially if used as an outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte debuts at number 20 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='536736' first='Alexis' last='Stephens'] (Spring Mills/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - She plays for a West Virginia high school where [player_tooltip player_id='309032' first='Samantha' last='Stephens'] plays. While Samantha lists as a right side/setter Alexis lists as a middle. Alexis leads the team in hitting percentage and is fourth in kills. Though she only has been credited with two blocks that also leads the team. Her team Spring Mills will play in Endless Summer tournament where I hope to confirm whether they are sisters. Alexis debuts at number 28 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["548037"],"_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-66e1cbc16c643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allahna plays high school ball in Maryland but plays travel ball in West Virginia. She won a top performer award at the Prep Dig Frosh showcase. She showed a good tempo with the middle sets. At 5'10" with a little bit more growth she could bring good height for the middle. If no growth the athleticism exists to play outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allahna debuts at number 38 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617087' first='Carson' last='Lehman'] (South Hagerstown/Liberty Elite) - Despite listing at 5'9" Carson provided some offense for Liberty Elite 14 at the Junior Nationals. If she wishes to stay at middle some growth is needed. Carson is one of three frosh on the South Hagerstown varsity team. She debuts at number 43 in our class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='625567' first='Gigi' last='Lagarde'] (Chelsea Academy/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - At 5'10 Chelsea has some height to play middle. She finds herself sixth on the team in kills. Quicker movement to the pins and improvement in transition to find herself ready to hit would enhance her game. Gigi debuts at number 49 in our class of 2028. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='625593' first='Cairo' last='Turner'] ( St. Johns/Virginia Elite) - We needed a tenth and Cairo seems to be doing well in the middle for a St. Johns team that has begun the season 10-0. She lists at 6'1" and leads the Cadets in blocking. Cairo debuted on the watch list in our class of 2028 because she made the varsity roster, but I have yet to see her play. That should be rectified shortly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>High School Games to Report</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Stafford</strong> swept past<strong> Riverbend</strong> to improve their record to 5-2. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='294589' first='Maya' last='Tillman']</strong> with her 16 kills and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221415' first='Lindsey' last='Canty']</strong> with her 15 led the way. Riverbend drops to 4-5, two more losses than they achieved all season last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps I have lit a fire but <strong>Hidden Valley</strong> won in five over <strong>Christiansburg</strong>, a team I selected to win the Class 3 high school championship. Hidden Valley won the first two sets 25-23, 25-17 but the Blue Demons bounced back with 25-21 and 25-22 victories. The Titans won the final 15-8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] </strong>led the way with her 24 kills while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464576' first='Sophie' last='Arnold'] </strong>contributed 18. <strong>Lauren Dudley</strong> finished with 7 aces and 26 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grafton </strong>swept past <strong>Warhill</strong>, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465315' first='Ana' last='Breckons']</strong> finishing the day with 11 solo blocks. That is close to four blocks per set for the sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238858' first='Allyson' last='Burke']</strong> led the team with 19 digs,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Catherines</strong> sent <strong>Midlothian</strong> down to their first defeat, winning the fifth set 16-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their opening matchups <strong>Reservoir </strong>swept past Maryland Class 2 state champions <strong>Centennial</strong>. Reservoir lost in the semifinals of the class 4 state championship last year to the eventual state champion <strong>Richard Montgomery</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Johns</strong> improved to 10-0 on this young season with a sweep of <strong>Good Counsel</strong>. The hitting duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238356' first='Morgan' last='Reeves'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier']</strong> led the charge with 12 kills each. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221032' first='Wynn' last='Mendez Eaton']</strong> dished out 27 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats courtesy of MaxPreps reporting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->