Michigan Top 250’s Towering Middles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":5} --> <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code&nbsp;<strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong>&nbsp;for $$ off!</em></h5> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Top 250 in Michigan was another major success!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With loads of talent spanning from every corner of the state, over a 100 athletes were in the gym and showing off what they got. We had talent from the east side to west side, Northern Michigan and then down to the southwest pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UWM Sports Complex was oozing with talent from every position. We're going to be breaking it down through every position. We're moving on and looking at the Towering Middles at the this year's 250. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of big guns to look at this weekend. The middles can always be a fun group to scout. The Michigan 250 brought in a lot of size, athleticism and explosive players. Let's take a look at some of the biggest towers at UWM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='537168' first='Gabriella' last='Ferrera']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='537168' first='Gabriella' last='Ferrera'] is a player that you're going to want to keep a close eye on this coming club season. If this past weekend was of any indication, Ferrera is poised to have a breakout season. Ferrera is attacking at a real high clip with an extra pace on the ball than she has before. She is also showing off a much better lateral footwork on her block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='490341' first='Madeline' last='Ostrander'] </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a preview player that did not disappoint! [player_tooltip player_id='490341' first='Madeline' last='Ostrander'] is a very strong presence in the middle. She has a fast arm and explosive jump. When Ostrander was able to connect with the ball, things were undeniable for her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'] </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wouldn't be surprised to see this player really thrive on the pins, as much as she thrives in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'] was a lot of fun to catch this Saturday. She has a quick touch on the ball, and had a nice rhythm with placing it in many corners of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='526729' first='Elizabeth' last='Nordstrom']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='526729' first='Elizabeth' last='Nordstrom'] is looking much improved since the last time we saw her in action.She is a player that is looking to be coming much into her own entering this all important 16s club season. Between her approach to her arm swing, and to her lateral movements on the block, Nordstrom is operating at a much higher speed than ever before. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='546049' first='Kate' last='Sulkowski']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Nordtsrom, [player_tooltip player_id='546049' first='Kate' last='Sulkowski'] is looking to have picked up the pace of her game A LOT! Sulkowski is coming off of a big fall with South Lyon and she has taken some serious leaps and bounds. Sulkowski is not only moving faster, but she is beginning to incorporate more vertical into her already long-length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523863' first='Willow' last='Mason'] </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If we had an award for highest flyer in the gym, it would go to [player_tooltip player_id='523863' first='Willow' last='Mason']. This player just bleeds athleticism and has plenty of it to share with the gym. Speed is no problem for this dual sport athlete. Mason does a real solid job at working along the net and in the transition part of her game. She is always a viable scoring option to set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='631464' first='Mya' last='Eberlein'] - 10</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was super excited to see [player_tooltip player_id='631464' first='Mya' last='Eberlein'] in action this weekend and she did not disappoint. One of the biggest athletes in the gym, when Eberlein uses her size at full length, she can do some incredible things. Still. very much a raw talent, Eberlein has the potential to be a real powerhouse and we saw plenty of glimpses of that throughout the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa'] - 31</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After seeing [player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa'] in action this weekend, plenty of eyes should be on Pewamo-Westphalia next season. Yet, another big talent out of the recent state champions, Fedewa is much like Eberlein. She is huge in height and can do some incredible things when she can connect with the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->