Latest 27 Rankings: Five Solid Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every team has a tall, talented and even athletic middle blocker. The fortunate teams see to it that they put them in position to influence things at the net. These five do that in different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535262"],"_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-69b30460e8a40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baldridge (pictured) is one of those hidden gems in eastern Kentucky. Baldridge is a solid six-rotation player that had to carry a huge load for the young Warriors in the fall. She makes sound first touches then deposits balls to different spots on the court. Baldridge is also a reliable option for East Ridge when out of system and an aggressive server. Baldridge had 534 kills, 218 digs and 67 aces in the fall for East Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["535185"],"_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-69b30460e8aa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hall has shown improvement in her versatility during club season. Hall takes big swings from all six spots on the court. Hall takes quality cross shots from the outside and does a great job angling balls off blocks. She forms sound double blocks with teammates and can make precise first touches. Hall is also on Russell's track and field team so she uses different muscle groups to help her athleticism on the court. One area of improvement is not hitting directly into blocks so much. Hall had 427 kills, 41 solo blocks, 41 assisted blocks and 102 digs in the fall, helping Russell go 27-11 and drive to the 16th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["519636"],"_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-69b30460e8aeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knapp may not be playing club ball this fall, but playing beach in the fall will help her hone her skills and athleticism. Knapp has sound line and cross hits. If opponents lean one way, Knapp pounds the ball another way. Knapp makes crisp first touches and lands aces to different parts of the court. Knapp had 278 kills, 167 digs and 40 aces in the fall, helping Tates Creek go 20-12 in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["812161"],"_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-69b30460e8b31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanders had a nice breakout season for the Bulldogs in the fall. She does a great job finding weaknesses of opponents and angling balls away from them. She sends nice rainbow shots to corners and uses her off (left) hand to surprise defenders. Sanders also showed some sound play with her blocking. She can add more versatility to Fairdale with work on other aspects of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["804174"],"_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-69b30460e8b76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith has an outstanding net approach and follow-through. Smith sees the other side then puts great power into balls. Smith has great crosses and can tap balls off blockers for points on ones. Smith is also not afraid to shove balls off blocks. Smith is also a sound blocker for the Tigers. Smith had 127 kills and 55 solo blocks in the fall, helping Bardstown go 16-12 on the season.</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 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. 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