2027 Middles Standing Out at State!

With the 3A and 4A schools gearing up to play this week, here is a first look at several 2027 middles who have already stood out at the 2024 State Tournament. These athletes will have two more chances at a state trophy and time to further develop their games. Every post-season, new prospects emerge who have been waiting their turn as underclassmen, helping power their squads and making a splash on the biggest stage.    Potts looked like a player ready to make a big jump in the next year; she played aggressively at the net as a blocker and attacker at the Sundome. In a high-level match against Columbia River in the final, Potts was up to the task of defending against the Rapids' dynamic hitters. She worked hard to close the block and fought hard to be an option in transition.     Eshuis is a long and active middle who plays bigger than her listed 5'11". She uses her eyes to check the hitters and setters and gets a great read on where the ball is being set. Eshuis was a problem for Meridian attackers in the Sun Dome. She created points off of blocks and forced hitters to roll and tip around her block. Eshuis has been well coached; her blocking and transition footwork is sound, she covers hitters and can handle a second ball with her platform.     Rainer played outside and in the middle for Mary Walker and looked comfortable driving down terminal swings in and out of system. The sophomore was a force from the service line and ignited long runs for her team. Rainer knows what to do when she has a mismatch at the net; she has a powerful arm swing and pounds down the ball with force.     La Center brought another quality team to the state championship, and Martlell significantly contributed to the Wildcat's success. She played with energy and all-out effort at the net and when she served and played defense in the back row. The 2027 MB manages to get a touch on plenty of swings at the net, slowing down attacks and setting the table for the La Center offense.     Chelan keeps winning state titles, and Petersen is another in a long line of high-quality players coming through the system. She contributed with timely kills and momentum-changing blocks, and Petersen purposefully made her blocking and attacking moves. Expect this 2027 prospect to shine in her next two seasons for the Goats.     The 2027 from Lakeside in Nine Mile Falls has a great work ethic and good movement pin-to-pin as a blocker. Weinberger ran the slide at the state tournament and effectively found seams to score, and she has all the routes you want to see from a middle. Weinberger is a big part of a young core of players for the Eagles; they have a great chance to return to the tournament next season.     Cashmere finished fifth place at the state tournament, matching their assigned seed before playing in the Yakima Sundome. Kunz has a versatile game; she can step into serve receive and is an excellent server. Cashmere will set her on the pin to mix up the offense, but her quickness and athleticism make it challenging to stop in the middle. Kunz has good timing as a blocker and rises with solid hands to shut down attackers.

With the 3A and 4A schools gearing up to play this week, here is a first look at several 2027 middles who have already stood out at the 2024 State Tournament. These athletes will have two more chances at a state trophy and time to further develop their games. Every post-season, new prospects emerge who have been waiting their turn as underclassmen, helping power their squads and making a splash on the biggest stage.