Five Middles We Love In The Class Of 2029

Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!   While working through the positional breakdowns in the class of ‘29, we found a large number of high-end middles that will be huge assets to their respective squads moving forward. This particular group of freshmen has size, speed, toughness and a relentlessness that isn't normally seen in middles this young, ESPECIALLY in Indiana. Here are five middles we're keeping a closer eye on than most from five different clubs around the state.    Lauren's ability to play fast, high and hard at this size makes her one of the most nationally recruitable middles in Indiana in quite some time. Big and physical, she's a tough out when hitting against her. Attacking with length at her max jump, Lauren's ability to go over blocks changes opposing defenses and keeps them on their heels. Yes, she's 6'4”, so a legitimate high-end recruit because of her size alone. However, all of the skill that she brings to her position and to her team is unmatched in this class, which is why I rate her so high.     With length for days and a relentless motor, Ainsley attends the equivalent of Middle Blocker High School—-otherwise known as Zionsville. If you're looking for a middle in this class, none have accomplished at the club level what Miss Sauder has already done, and she gets better every year. Constantly and consistently available to attack on nearly every ball, defenses are required to account for her in every rally. Rarely taking plays off, her defense and offense are nearly identical in efficiency, and has that extra volleyball IQ to make up for any slight errors in her game.     Probably the strongest of the five middles listed today, Amy's calling card is her ability to power through undisciplined blocks. She's currently projecting to be an M2, and does best with a skilled setter that sets zero-tempo balls consistently. Her upper body strength is apparent not only in her arm swing, but in her blocking as well—-she's a human wall that plays bigger than her 6' frame. Her foot speed and transitional quickness needs some tweaking, but that can be done in a practice gym and in the weight room, and is easily fixable.     Of the middles listed today, none are faster on transition than Alana. She terminates on every swing, and does it with a whip-like shoulder and a heavy hand. Playing much bigger than her 6' frame might indicate, Miss Kay takes advantage of opponents' lack of size on both offense and defense. Her highlight reels are filled with terminal plays in both, and is only getting better from here.     Raw and athletic, Elena is already getting head-and-shoulders above the net when attacking AND blocking, which is a lot to say for this class of middles. Even though she's the shortest of the five here, that athletic acuity of hers looks smooth. She's new-ish to the game, so the quick transition footwork needs some improvement. For now, however, it's much easier to teach her nuances in footwork because of that athleticism. Time in the training gym and playing a schedule that's tougher than what she'll see in high school will dictate how far Elena's progression will take her.

Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!