Top Five Available Middles In The Class Of ‘27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a last-minute gift idea? Use code Kyp30 to get a deep discount off of an annual subscription to PrepDig!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're moving right along in the positional breakdown section of the week, and the least populated position in recruiting is the middle position. Traditionally, “bigs” have to do all of the dirty work just to make the teammates next to them look good—-closing blocks, transitioning on each and every ball that comes to their side of the net, and being available to hit no matter where the ball is passed. Here are five middles from five different clubs who fit those criteria and are available right now for the fall of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443858"],"_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-69454400304d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long, lean and explosive, Milana has all of the tools and the talent to play Division I ball in the fall of ‘27. She has the length to defend from pin to pin well, transitions quickly to show readiness for offense, and can terminate from in front of or behind the setter in any tempo and at any time. Reliable, athletic and no-nonsense, Miss Mays will be a fine addition to the stable of middles at any school needing just such a middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["789191"],"_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-694544003054c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shorter but just as effective as Milana, Ja'Maria is a highly athletic and springy middle that would be best suited as an M2 at the next level. Her two-footed approach is fast, quick-footed and gets her in the air quicker than most blocks realize that she's jumped and will attack. What impresses me the most about her is her net defense. Her ability to not only block, but PRESS across the net and take away attacking lanes is impressive for ANY height, let alone Miss Jackson's. I'm not entirely sure if gravity is optional for her, but after watching her play this past fall, she's got all the tools in her toolbox to take her talents to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435568"],"_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-694548325eded"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big and physical, Avery is more known as a right side these days than middle. No matter, she's capable of doing both; she uses her size and upper body strength to not only terminate on her swing but put up a strong block to go along with that high attack point of hers. Although her block touch and attack touch heights are not at the same level as the two previous ladies mentioned here today, you can't teach 6'2”, and Avery can be trained in the weight room to be more explosive in the long run. I would keep Miss Olsen in the back of my mind if I was recruiting a middle—-she'd be a steal for anyone willing to train her athleticism up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529468"],"_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-694548325ee47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Getting up in a hurry and always available to attack, Miss Wake is a fast and athletic option as an M2 for the next level. Without accolades or the “look at me” personality a lot of volleyball players have these days, Brooklyn does her job and does it well. Her discipline on the attack is slightly ahead of the training curve than her defensive skill set is, so I'm looking forward to how she develops the blocking side this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502100"],"_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-694548325ee95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm pretty sure that, since the last time I saw Madden play, she's grown again. Madden has length for days as a middle with a high attack touch and a whip for an arm, and definitely looks the part of an M2 at the next level. More or less “stuck” behind two outstanding middles at Westfield, Miss Showalter is an absolute steal for anyone looking for a lengthy, defensive-minded middle who excels in quick transition and attack. As part of the 1s team in every age group she's been a part of at Rev, her level of play is already accustomed to “open”, her physicality and stamina has adjusted to her height change over the years, and she's even seeing some pin attacking from time to time to add to her skill set. Madden, in short, is a hidden gem of a middle that is seemingly better and taller every time I see her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->