Mighty Middles from the 2025 Michigan Expo (P2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7595679637296942366?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7597496589356025374">Check out the latest video from the <span style="text-decoration: underline">Michigan Expo</span> on Tik Tok Today!</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was one of the biggest stop the Michigan Exposure tour has ever seen! With over 150 athletes on tap, spanning eight jam packed courts, the talent in the gym was overflowing and top shelf!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had some of the biggest names from all over the state, from a healthy dose of the west side prospect to northern Michigan, we also had quite a few out of staters, including an 8th grader from Oklahoma stepping up to the challenge! It was seriously, a stop for the books!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middles at the Michigan Exposure Tour was second to none! We had an abundance of talent on tap, let's take a look at some of the best on tap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='902095' first='Julia' last='Graebner'] - Lake Orion/Legacy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a player that has a lot of pop in her hop! [player_tooltip player_id='902095' first='Julia' last='Graebner'] was getting off the ground very well and putting a lot of pace into the ball. She does really well hitting in front of the setter, scoring at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis'] - Port Huron/Crank It</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis'] is an undersized middle that can really make up for it with her speed and power at the net. Dennis has no problem putting the boom down. She's another strong attacker in front of the setter and can take up a lot of space at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='881403' first='Abigail' last='Dafforn'] - South Lyon/L2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes with younger middles, you can see them get into the habit of being one dimensional in their offense. That is not the case with this one. [player_tooltip player_id='881403' first='Abigail' last='Dafforn']. She has a great range in her ability to score. Her high finish on the ball and wrist manipulation allows her to place the ball anywhere on the court with a lot of pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evelyn Englehardt - Garber/Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evelyn Englehardt was making some serious moves in the high school season with Garber. She brings a steady presence of size in the middle with her block. Her offense is a work in progress and has gotten so much better. Englehardt was looking much more polished in that phase of the game since I last saw her in September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='918852' first='Lilah' last='Maurer'] - Mattawan/Dead Frog</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upon the first couple of swings I saw from [player_tooltip player_id='918852' first='Lilah' last='Maurer'], I found that she has an incredible last two steps to her approach. This is a phase of the approach that can often times fall under the radar, but it is so important in relaying power into your jump and the ball. Maurer's two step close is incredible for her age. She hits the quick ball well, but even when things go a little higher, her reach allows her to still put a good ball into play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='878880' first='Mckynzie' last='Monroe'] - Brighton/L2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the first things that stood out to me when I stepped onto the middle court and saw [player_tooltip player_id='878880' first='Mckynzie' last='Monroe'] in action was the speed of her arm. When this Brighton Bulldog can get in a rhythm, she makes a great connection with the ball and terminates well!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='932145' first='JoJo' last='Hamway'] - Detroit Country Day/Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detroit Country Day seems to be all but a factory for products in the middle as of late. [player_tooltip player_id='932145' first='JoJo' last='Hamway'] could very easily be the next star middle blocker for the Yellowjacket's. Hamway's length is an immediate eye catcher. Standing around 6'0-6'1, Hamway has what seems to be a much longer wingspan. This allows her to close in on the toughest of blocks and could really develop into a powerful arm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em><br></em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->