Game-Changing Middle Blockers Emerge at #PDMidwestLive

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one for the middles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just getting started with our post-event coverage from Friday's Prep Dig Midwest Live Showcase. Yesterday's feature honed in on high-impact pin hitters, and we're staying in the frontcourt for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blockers have always been an eye-catching group at our Des Moines showcases. That held true at our latest Midwest Live outing with an entry list that included past showcase standouts and new emerging talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839df56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waukee Northwest is piling up names to know after Friday's showcase. Olsen is a unique "hybrid" attacker who can do damage as a middle blocker or a right-side hitter. Her work in the middle was especially impressive last weekend, as Olsen could move laterally from pin to pin and close any block. She was among the best slide terminators during positional drills and will be a versatile athlete to follow this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555806"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839dfb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll have no shortage of physicality in this feature. New became an imposing force at Midwest Live, particularly during six-on-six team drills. The Indianola standout has a knack for reading opposing setters and lining up with attackers. Of course, New can also do damage as a hitter and is lethal in front of the setter. [program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots'] has given us plenty of athletes to keep track of around the Iowa Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730379"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839dffc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa PowerPlex was bound to bring some exceptional athletes to its home gym. Pederson had an impactful sophomore season with PCM and brings a unique skill set to the middle blocker spot. She excels at hitting slower tempos in front of the setter, making her a worthy candidate to play the left-side hitter position, too. We also got a good glimpse at Pederson's diverse shot selection, which proved effective during team drills. Another uptick in production is imminent this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533845"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839e042"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're now venturing into the Class of 2028, where several more Iowa stars are already making waves. Otte's length and power were quickly apparent as we grouped middle blockers for early warmups. Her sky-high ceiling has yielded underclassman production with Williamsburg High School, where her efficiency numbers steadily climbed last year. More opportunities await with Iowa United, including trips to the summer NIT and AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839e087"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small plays a big-time game at the net. The Iowa City West standout towered over her peers at Friday's event and brought some competitive fire to match her physicality. This extraordinary athlete has a clear drive to improve with every rep and drill, and Midwest Live was a perfect venue to showcase this tireless effort. Small was also a constant source of positive energy to lift her teammates--a true staple of our Iowa events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771625"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-683cd7839e0ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilkin made the most of her trek into central Iowa. This Iowa Select middle blocker crosses the Mississippi River for the club season and is a force in the Illinois high school scene. Wilkin tallied over 200 kills for Fulton last fall and soared past a 0.200 hitting clip in her debut season. We got an up-close look at how Wilkin achieves this efficiency: a quick arm, excellent court vision, and a high contact point to hit at indefensible angles. It's no wonder that this middle blocker is generating must-see moments in two different states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cedar Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='428911' first='Six' last='Pack VBC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cd7839e16d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on the Class of 2029. Smith made it easy to forget that she was younger than most of the athletes at Midwest Live. She brings enough athleticism to square up with any attackers and forms cohesive connections with her setters. Smith also adds Six Pack to the list of clubs in our post-event features, and we know how this group can churn out quality frontcourt talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->