Mature Middles: Junior & Sophomore Sensations from the Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a confidence that you acquire as you play more and more volleyball and gain experience through varying situations on the court. This confidence was quite apparent in the class of 2026 and 2027 middle blockers who came to the Indiana Top 250 Expo this past weekend at The Academy VBC. They were poised, communicative, smart and all hard workers. Every single one of them have the potential to play in college! We had two juniors join us who are uncommitted at the time of this article posting, so I expect to see some exciting news over the next year! It is my pleasure to introduce you to my upperclassmen standouts from the Expo...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["301138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":729202,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66bf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>*TOP UPPERCLASSMEN MB*</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramsey comes from a great volleyball school in New Palestine and the solid training she has received both there and at The Academy definitely helped her to stand out amongst our middles at the Expo. Her efficient ability to see the block and swing around it on the one ball is what made her stand out the most - I rarely (if ever) saw her get blocked. Add to that her long frame at 6'1" with big hands and you also get a solid blocker at the net who moves really well laterally and never gives up on the block. I think my favorite thing about Hayden is her infectious joy and delight for the game; during 6 v 6 play she was having so much fun, which quickly allowed the whole court to relax and enjoy their time playing together. Ramsey is an uncommitted 2026 who needs scooped up soon!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":729223,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66c6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olsen was by far the most physical and intimidating presence at the net this past weekend. Standing at every bit of 6'2" with great energy to match, Avery is definitely a next level player in the making. Of course, she can bounce balls and put up a BIG block, but what sets her apart is her never quit attitude and endless encouragement of those around her. I know she didn't know many players, but that never stopped her from cheering them on and helping them out. Olsen never gives up on a play and is a really good blocker pin to pin - she covers a ton of ground easily. She has a LOT of potential considering her excellent attitude, side-to-side blocking skills and ability to hit in front of and behind the setter. Look for her stock to rise even more as she continues to improve and speed up her arm swing over the coming months in club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":489027,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66cc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kayliyah is another middle with an intimidating presence at the net, both when she blocks and when she attacks. She brings a quiet confidence to the court which I actually really love in MBs; there is nothing quite like a silent assassin at the net! At 6'1" with a long reach, Deshields was able to hit not just around the block, but over it as well. She is a nuisance for other middles to hit around because of how much space she takes up at the net when blocking and because of how focused she is on every point. I am excited to see how she blossoms as she works on improving her foot speed in transition and spacing with the setter on attacks - Kayliyah is going to be a major asset for Ignite VBC this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730369"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":729243,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66d1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helbert is a middle that is completely new to us at Prep Dig and comes to us via the small 1A program at Lighthouse Christian Academy. She was a both a breath of fresh air with her bright smile AND an awesome surprise with her talent. Taylor makes up for her "smaller" stature at 5'10" by playing really fast and jumping high. She has long arms which allow her to be a force at the net with both attacking and blocking. For being just a sophomore, she was bouncing balls just as hard and well as her taller, older middle counterparts and certainly never seemed afraid to jump right in and compete. If she can work on having more of a "whip, loose arm" on her swing, she is going to be simply lethal when hitting ones and 31s. This is a player you better put on your radar because the sky is the limit with her work ethic and athleticism!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66d75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just like her picture here, the first thing I noticed about Ava was her smile and excitement to just be at the Expo, getting to play volleyball. I LOVE that in a player - knowing from their body language that they want to be in the gym competing and getting better, and they're not just there because someone made them be. Felgar is clearly a high-level middle seeing that she made the [program_tooltip program_id='430155' first='Team' last='Pineapple'] High Performance team this club season, an awesome accomplishment. She has a really high reach which allows her to hit a one ball over and around the block, terminating at a really efficient rate as long as her setter gets the ball high enough for her high touch point. Ava worked hard every single time in transition and blocking. As she improves her footwork and lateral speed on the block, look for her to become a serious wall at the net. PS This class of '26 MB is uncommitted and looking ready!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570485"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":729237,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-675b088f66dcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First off, the fact that Alexa is a three-sport athlete (volleyball, golf, basketball) as a sophomore absolutely blows my mind. It is clear she has excellent discipline, work ethic and passion to be able to pull that off in this day and age of youth sports. I sure hope she continues with volleyball because she has all the tools to become a middle at the next level. Coble works really hard in transition to get off the net quick and always be an option for her setter, while also reaching high every time on the attack. She puts up big hands on the block and makes opposing hitters often tip or off speed due to her presence. Right now, I see her in the M2 position, but if she can work on speeding up her arm swing and going off of one foot behind, I could see her as a great MB in either the M1 or M2 positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>If you loved this article, please follow our Instagram page,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball">Prep Dig IN | Above The Net Volleyball</a>&nbsp;for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</em></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After following our page, take the next step and&nbsp;<strong>subscribe to PrepDig</strong>! 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