Massive Middles at the Prep Dig Exposure Tour: San Antonio

<p>In the competitive landscape of modern volleyball, the middle of the front row is both a weapon and a fortress. Middle hitters are a dual-threat position that can dramatically shift momentum on either side of the net. When outside hitters struggle to find clean swings, coaches turn to their middles for efficiency and unpredictability. When opponents' pin hitters become a problem, it is often the middle blocker who steps forward to shut down attacking lanes, close seams, and neutralize momentum.</p>   <p>This position requires athleticism, speed, timing, lateral range, and above all else, a high volleyball IQ. This class of young middle hitters and blockers put on a display of net dominance, strategic attacking, and high-level decision-making. Each athlete showcased a blend of physical gifts, discipline, and potential, making this group one of the more exciting collections of middles on the tour.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='906553' first='Nariah' last='Miller']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9051.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907012" style="width:163px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='906553' first='Nariah' last='Miller'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Miller is a 5'8" sophomore middle hitter from Samuel Clemens High School. Miller is a left-handed attacker, and she forces defenses to adjust to her unique angles and back-court trajectories. Defensively, she is an excellent natural blocker using quick elevation and timing to disrupt opponents.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='773944' first='Megan' last='Claborn']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9052.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907011" style="width:174px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='773944' first='Megan' last='Claborn'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Claborn is a 6'2" middle hitter from SA Saints High School, class of 2028. Claborn has a wickedly sharp cross-court shot that is so hard to defend. Her ability to swing with sharp, penetrating angles gives her confidence as a scorer, making her a high-ceiling prospect with an elite offensive upside.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='902574' first='Jasmine' last='Butler']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9050.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907013" style="width:163px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='902574' first='Jasmine' last='Butler'], 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Butler is a 5'9" sophomore middle blocker from Harlan High School. Butler has great off-speed hits and is very fast at the net, going up to block opponents. Butler brings tempo, touch, and speed. Her off-speed attacks consistently challenge back-row defenders, while her rapid net movement allows her to press blocks quickly and effectively. She is a smart, versatile middle with disruptive potential.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='903347' first='Erinne' last='Awagu']</h2>   <p>Awagu is a 6' middle hitter from Lady Bird Johnson High School, class of 2028. Awagu emerged as one of the most dominant players of the day. Strong, explosive, confident, and fearless, she controls the net both offensively and defensively. Her combination of power and athleticism gives her a true higher-level presence even at a young age.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='903933' first='Lileyan' last='Rounds']</h2>   <p>Rounds is a 5'11" middle hitter from Champion High School, class of 2028. Rounds is a mid-air adjustment specialist, making her extremely difficult to read or block. She delivers fast, heavy swings to the ten-foot line and can attack with a near-vertical plane, a rare and dangerous skill. Opponents struggle to predict or contain her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='904525' first='Addison' last='Gottschalk']</h2>   <p>Gottschalk is a 5'8" sophomore middle hitter from Weiss High School. Gottschalk is a textbook example of high jumping and hard-hitting athletic strength. Her approach and vertical skills are amazing, and her swings come with intention and force. She is definitely on my one-to-watch list.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='890965' first='Taylor' last='Smith']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9048.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907015" style="width:173px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='890965' first='Taylor' last='Smith'], 2029.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Smith is a 5'11" freshman middle blocker from Burnet High School. Smith has great timing and can swing through the ball for immense power when hitting the ball. She is fast and puts up a good block quickly. Paired with strong blocking fundamentals and fast net transitions, she demonstrates advanced physical potential and a bright developmental trajectory.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='903604' first='Zoe' last='Alcoser']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9049.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907014" style="width:174px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='903604' first='Zoe' last='Alcoser'], 2029.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Alcoser is a 5'11" middle hitter from Brennan High School, class of 2029. Alcoser has great timing on her blocks and with a slide to the right-side hitting position. She is a super athletic player with a high volleyball IQ, making her one of the more effective players on the court.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Xya LaGrant</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9047.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907016" style="width:177px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xya LaGrant, 2030.</figcaption></figure>   <p>LaGrant is a 5'8" middle hitter from Cornerstone Christian School, class of 2030. LaGrant is blazing fast, agile, and explosive, covering ground so efficiently that she rarely needs to dive defensively. With an impressive vertical, disciplined platform, and impactful court presence, she projects as an all-around weapon at a very young age.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kaylee Covington</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9046.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907017" style="width:176px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kaylee Covington.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Covington is tall, with great timing, and ready for the big leagues. Covington has the physical profile, timing, and collegiate-level slide footwork that make her extremely difficult to defend. Her presence at the pin off the slide creates immediate mismatches and rhythmic problems for blockers.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/IMG_9045.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-907018" style="width:176px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Camille Hornsby.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Camille Hornsby</h2>   <p>Hornsby is a hot hitter and accurate with her shots to the backcourt. She has a great vertical, which makes her a great blocker, and plays the back row about as well as the front. She is a threat anywhere on the court.</p>   <p></p>

In the competitive landscape of modern volleyball, the middle of the front row is both a weapon and a fortress. Middle hitters are a dual-threat position that can dramatically shift momentum on either side of the net. When outside hitters struggle to find clean swings, coaches turn to their middles for efficiency and unpredictability. When opponents' pin hitters become a problem, it is often the middle blocker who steps forward to shut down attacking lanes, close seams, and neutralize momentum.