Five 2028 Middle Hitters Defending the Net with Tenacity

Good middle hitters find different ways to control the net. The vertical jumps help shorter ones overcome taller blockers in a number of different ways. These five find different ways to do that.    Benfield (pictured) is extremely aggressive in the middle and pins for 16 Black. Benfield executes sound slide shots and rainbows off shots to the back row. Benfield has a great approach and vertical jump to hit balls over and around blockers. Benfield mixes in tips over double blocks to keep opponents guessing. Benfield reads hitters well and times up her solo and double blocks to at least slow down balls for the back row. Benfield extends her arms to the sides to swat down attempted hits into holes of double blocks.     Williams is effective at the pins and the middle with her swings. Williams makes good in-air adjustments to shove balls to the back court. She hits balls off blocks for big points. Defensively, Williams takes good steps on her swing blocks. She constantly gets hands on balls on double and solo blocks to slow down balls. Williams forces hitters to tip over her with her vertical jump, making things easier for back row players.     Tidwell influences the net in more ways than one. Tidwell has a great net approach then executes sound extensions and finishes. Tidwell attacks holes in double blocks and rips seams with precision. Tidwell can angle balls off blocks with her size and make things happen with teams are out of system. Tidwell reads hitters well and times up sound solo and double blocks. Tidwell can even block back row attempts. Tidwell puts up walls with double blocks on lefties and adds in a sound jump float serve.     Bain's size and athleticism shows at the net. She is an effective blocker. Opponents can't go soft on her. She runs effective slides, gap shots and ones with her sound ball control. Bain does not hesitate to shove balls to open side lines. Bain can also angle balls off blocks and out of bounds for big points.     Ullah is trying to turn into a sound all-around player for Page. Ullah gets on top of balls and powers them to the ground on gap and other shots. Ullah has a solid four-step approach and takes back sets and executes them with precision. Ullah places ones to different parts of the court. Ullah puts down overpassed balls with authority and mixes in tips to keep opponents guessing. Ullah also does a great job diving after balls.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.

Good middle hitters find different ways to control the net. The vertical jumps help shorter ones overcome taller blockers in a number of different ways. These five find different ways to do that.