Class 5 2027: Dominant Returning Middles Set to Shine This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the upcoming volleyball season draws near, several athletes are ready to make their mark on the court. Among them are [player_tooltip player_id='828314' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'] of Lindbergh and [player_tooltip player_id='809456' first='Sienna' last='Roth'] from Kirkwood, both dominating middle blockers with impressive height and skill. With a strong lineup that includes standout players like [player_tooltip player_id='828224' first='Emory' last='Freesmeier'], [player_tooltip player_id='489915' first='Hannah' last='Garrett'], [player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='560903' first='Kyndal' last='Jacobs'], the competition promises to be thrilling as these talented individuals aim to elevate their teams' success</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828314' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'] – Lindbergh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='828314' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'] stands out as one of the top middles in her class at 6'3", bringing a significant presence to the court for Lindbergh. Her experience with HPSTL 16 Royal has given her valuable high-level competition exposure. With her impressive length and vertical leap, she can easily get above the net and powerfully slam balls past blockers. Given her potential, it's likely that her numbers for the Flyers will see a notable increase from last season's 162 kills and 62 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809456' first='Sienna' last='Roth'] – Kirkwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6'4", her height is an asset, especially in the middle blocker position. Her experience with HPSTL 16 Orange has really paid off, particularly with improvements in her blocking and hitting techniques. Finishing second in blocks with 123 among Class 5 2027 middle blockers. It will be interesting to see how she continues to develop her game moving forward!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828224' first='Emory' last='Freesmeier'] – Westminster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emory will be a key player for Westminster this season. Standing at 5'10", she excels in transitioning to the pins, showcasing impressive agility and speed. Following a solid sophomore year, where she recorded 214 kills and 57 blocks,&nbsp;with the team returning a wealth of talent, her contributions will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489915' first='Hannah' last='Garrett'] – Eureka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a solid foundation in the program, she's developed into a well-rounded player, contributing significantly on both offense and defense. Her career stats of 296 kills and 130 blocks illustrate her impact on the court and highlight her as a key returning player for the Wildcats. It's exciting to see how her growth will influence the team's performance in the upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475326' first='Bailey' last='Hensgens'] – Incarnate Word</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11" middle for Incarnate Word made notable progress last season, finishing with 284 kills and 108 total blocks. Her quick leaping ability and keen court vision are assets that should contribute to another strong year for the Red Knights. Additionally, her time with [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 16 Elite has helped her refine her slide technique, which will likely enhance her performance on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='560903' first='Kyndal' last='Jacobs'] – Howell North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Known more for her defensive prowess than her offensive contributions, Kyndal has consistently showcased an exceptional ability to read the game, resulting in numerous key touches and shutdown blocks. Her commitment to improving her game throughout the season has truly paid off, culminating in her recognition as the top blocker in Class 5 for the 2027 class, with an impressive total of 126 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->