SoCal Top 250 Expo Middles We Can't Stop Talking About - Pt. 1

Prepdig Nevada may not have been on-site, but we were fully tuned into the recent SoCal Top 250 Expo LIVE through BallerTV. This event brought out a very impressive group of talented athletes, and it was a privilege to watch them crush our fast-paced drills and team competitions. Even from a distance, I could feel the energy through the screen as many high-IQ middle blockers demonstrated exceptional skills across the 2025-2029 classes. Quick arm swings, high energy, impressive verticals, and powerful blocks were recurring themes throughout the showcase for the following middles.    Yemaya may be in the eighth grade, but she's already lightyears ahead of her time when it comes to volleyball! As one of the very few 2029 players at the showcase, she really stood out by holding her own against the older athletes. What makes her so impressive is her patience and ability to read the set, adjusting to its height and speed perfectly. Her incredible wingspan helps her get the most out of her approach, giving her a massive jump paired with a whip-like snap in her swing. Yemaya proved to be one of the best in the building, out of all classes, earning her a well-deserved top performer award.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Snapinsta.app_469051061_18257740156280433_7336065071857692261_n_1080.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-726749" style="width:238px;height:auto" /></figure>     Ruby was on fire during the hitting drills, making it look easy with some seriously strong swings to the sharp left and right sides of the court. Her swing is quick, fast, and super efficient, allowing her to consistently beat blockers before they even have a chance to get set. She did a great job of hitting around one-on-one blocks, which helped her maintain an impressive hitting percentage throughout the team games. But it wasn't just about attacking—Ruby also racked up some key blocks herself. She was always in the right place at the right time, following the setter and being ready for the quick set, no matter where the setter received the pass along the net. Her focus and work ethic were unmatched, making her one of the hardest-working middles at the showcase. It's no surprise that she earned a well-deserved top performer award! --Kantessa @lasvegasvbanalyst @prepdignv     Raneighla has pretty much mastered the art of tooling the block to score easy points. She frequently found a way to graze the blocker's pinky fingers, creating a tricky situation for the opposing defense that usually resulted in a point for her team. Whether it's intentional or not, this skill became a major weapon throughout the showcase. Gonzales really impressed me by delivering quality reps in both hitting and blocking, all while performing under the watchful eyes of scouts and coaches. What stood out personally for me, wasn't just her technical skills—it was her endurance. Throughout the showcase, she never showed any signs of slowing down, even after multiple back-to-back reps of hitting and blocking at a high level. She stayed fully engaged and gave 100% effort the entire time, which is a true testament to her dedication to training. From start to finish, Gonzales was locked in, and her offensive and defensive skills were on full display, earning her a well-deserved top performer award. --Kantessa @lasvegasvbanalyst @prepdignv   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Raneighla-Gonzales.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-726753" style="width:278px;height:auto" /></figure>     Maikalelani has some serious hang time and an impressive vertical jump that make her stand out on the court. She's got a whip of an arm and can effortlessly send the ball flying into the deep left and right corners, making it hard for anyone to defend. I noticed her right away during warmups, but she really proved herself during the team competitions. Her quick swing allowed her to either hit around the blockers or power the ball right off their hands, scoring multiple points for her team. It's clear that this freshman has a ton of potential, and there's no doubt she has a bright future ahead of her in volleyball. --Kantessa @lasvegasvbanalyst @prepdignv     Ariana has some serious power behind her swing! She made it look effortless during warm-up drills, consistently getting on top of the ball and launching it near the ten-foot line. Her powerful attacking ability translated seamlessly once the blockers were introduced. She has an excellent approach, and her lightning-fast arm swing repeatedly beat blockers and defenders during the team competitions. Ariana was without a doubt one of the best middles in her class, and with her skill set, she's bound to have an outstanding season with Dartfrog. Her future is looking bright, and she's definitely a player to watch! --Kantessa @lasvegasvbanalyst @prepdignv     Maxine has amazing timing when it comes to hitting, which allows her to get on top of the ball and finish with a super quick swing. During drills, she hit more than one ten-footer, thanks to her ability to snap her wrist so efficiently. The 6'0" junior does a great job of fully opening up to the setter and then crushing the ball to sharp left or right angles with ease. She also shut down attacks by skillfully turning her hands back into the court while blocking, leading to several roofs during team competitions. Maxine was a standout throughout the showcase, showing off her all-around skills on both offense and defense. With her talent, there's no doubt she'll excel in the upcoming club season with [program_tooltip program_id='429318' first='A4' last='Volleyball Club']. Keep an eye on her—she's definitely a player to watch! --Kantessa @lasvegasvbanalyst @prepdignv    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">We are grateful for all of the talented players that attended this event. Stay Tuned for more coverage on the middles and other positions that we can't stop talking about! </h3>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/california/">More Socal Top 250 Expo Coverage Here</a></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If you loved this article, please follow our Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCA</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action. Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdignv">PrepDigNV</a> for more coverage on Nevada and California players.</h2>   After following our page, take the next step and subscribe to PrepDig! 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Prepdig Nevada may not have been on-site, but we were fully tuned into the recent SoCal Top 250 Expo LIVE through BallerTV. This event brought out a very impressive group of talented athletes, and it was a privilege to watch them crush our fast-paced drills and team competitions. Even from a distance, I could feel the energy through the screen as many high-IQ middle blockers demonstrated exceptional skills across the 2025-2029 classes. Quick arm swings, high energy, impressive verticals, and powerful blocks were recurring themes throughout the showcase for the following middles.