Gateway League 16-18 Top Middles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while since I attended the Gateway League, and in my breaks from officiating, I was able to catch some of the top teams playing. The talent and level of play were a blast to watch. Here are some of my top middles from the Gateway League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens'] – [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey (IWA) helped 16 Elite win the Gateway League, and the 5'10” middle did a solid job on both sides. Her quickness has improved from high school ball, her transition footwork is solid, and she plays pretty good defense in the left back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485604' first='Jayla' last='Williams'] – [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayla (Summit) played big when I watched RT play HPSTL 17 Royal, scoring five kills in the finals. She is another player whose game has improved since high school. Jayla gets off the ground quickly, has solid hang time, and has long arms that allow her to hit around and over the block. She looks excellent coming in from behind the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] – HPSTL 17 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Florida State is getting one of the top middles from Missouri in the 6'4” Bennett (St. Pius X). She's been so fun to watch develop over the last three years. When she's on, she is a hard one to stop. Bennetts is very mobile, with great footwork and a beast towering over her opponents. In the finals against RT 16 Elite, she came up with some key kills and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218556' first='Joanna' last='Gillen'] – [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a year since I've caught Joanna (Borgia) playing, and what a big difference she has made. Her speed and attacking have improved, and her slide has looked great. In the match with HPSTL, she would finish with eight kills. A brilliant athlete who sees the court well enough to take advantage of the defensive lapse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544673' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'] – HPSTL 16 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlee (Lindbergh) is going to be a big-time recruit. At 6'3”, she is big enough to cause her opponent much pain. She has a tremendous vertical and a huge wingspan, and when she gets on top of the ball, there is no stopping her. Marlee is a very athletic middle with a massive upside to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489911' first='Emory' last='Freesmeier'] – HPSTL 16 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've not watched a lot of middles that can get off the floor as fast as Emory (Westminster Christian) does. She has a great arm swing and seems to float in the air, then unleash a rocket. She's a ball bouncer with a lot of speed in her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->