Latest 2027 Rankings: Five Sound Middle Hitters to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size helps out teams in terms of middles, especially if they move well. However, undersized middles can make up for it with sound techniques among other things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484428"],"_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-694387b20f8e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roy (pictured) does a good job using her size to control the net. Roy ponds balls hard from the middle and outside. Roy adds in tips to the shallow court catching defenders by surprise. Roy has great timing on her blocks, makes sound passes and has a rugged jump serve. Roy had 273 kills, 53 solo blocks, 18 assisted blocks, 107 aces and 92 digs, helping Greenup County go 24-8, win the first 63rd District championship since 2012 and make it to the 16th Region Tournament for the first time since 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823157"],"_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-694387b20fa29"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cecil has nice size and good vertical jump for the Devils. Cecil has a good wrist snap and pounds balls to different parts of the court from the middle and the pins. Cecil adds great timing on her blocks. She can perform solo and double blocks for Owensboro. Cecil has also turned into a reliable passer. Cecil had 230 kills, 47 solo blocks, 30 assisted blocks and 93 digs for the Devils this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752887"],"_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-694387b20fb5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ingram uses a good vertical jump to control the net. Ingram works well with teammates to form sound double blocks. Ingram watches the swings from hitters an aggressively goes up trying to slow balls down. Ingram takes great swings from the middle and pins. She sends ones to corners and has tough crosses. Ingram had 141 kills, 44 solo and 52 assisted blocks for the Bulldogs in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814346"],"_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-694387b20fc68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kimmel played a huge role in helping the Bears improve their win total by eight from her sophomore year in Kevin Harrod's first season as head coach. Kimmel has tough crosses and mixes in soft shots to the back to throw defensive specialists off. Kimmel is not afraid to use her off (left) hand to tap balls down. Kimmel had 125 kills, 58 solo blocks and 14 assisted blocks for Butler County this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["813790"],"_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-694387b20fd65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daniels emerged to lead the Jaguars in kills this fall. Daniels places balls well. She makes good passes then quickly transitions to offense. She has good roll shots and sends soft hits to different parts of the court. An improved rhythm and wrist snap will help Daniels take things to the next level her senior season. Daniels had 141 kills and 159 digs this fall, helping North Laurel win a fourth straight 49th District crown and make it to the 13th Region semifinals for the first time since 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for nearly two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->