6 Key Middles Owning The Net At Midwest National Tune Up

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   You know a middle is having a strong day when you keep finding yourself drifting back to their court. That happened several times throughout the Midwest National Tune Up.   Whether it was shutting down swings with a well-formed block, beating defenders in transition, or forcing opponents to rethink where they wanted to attack, these players made their presence felt. Their impact extended well beyond kills, and that is exactly what caught my attention.   What stood out most was how comfortable these athletes looked taking on big moments. They were active in transition, disciplined at the net, and consistently found ways to influence matches when points became harder to earn. Those are the qualities that separate good middles from the ones that can truly change the outcome of a match.   These six players consistently impacted what was happening on their side of the net and proved why they should continue to be on the radar of college coaches heading into the heart of the summer recruiting season.    Every time I watched [player_tooltip player_id='754848' first='Annabell' last='Niggemeyer'], she seemed to be making hitters work harder than they wanted to. She wasn't chasing blocks or taking herself out of position trying to make a highlight play. Instead, she consistently took away space and forced attackers to adjust. That discipline at the net stood out throughout the weekend. Offensively, she stayed available and did a nice job finding seams when defenses started keying on her. There is a maturity to her game that coaches will appreciate because she understands how to impact points without needing every ball set her way. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='883971' first='Ava' last='Mau'] brought an energy level that was hard to miss. Some middles disappear between contacts. Ava seemed to get more involved as rallies got longer. She was constantly moving, transitioning, communicating, and making herself available. What I enjoyed most was how quickly she reset after every play. One second she was helping close a block and the next she was already loading for an attack. That motor creates pressure because opponents never get a chance to relax when she is on the floor.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='986928' first='Ava' last='Blackburn'] felt like one of the tougher middles to defend all weekend. Just when it looked like opponents had her figured out, she found another way to score. She mixed tempos well and stayed active offensively throughout matches. What caught my eye was how often teams had to account for where she was before they could focus on anyone else. That kind of attention says a lot. Defensively, she was just as engaged, reading hitters and making life uncomfortable at the net. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Every time I found myself back on [player_tooltip player_id='952661' first='Makenna' last='Wood']'s court, she seemed to be involved in another momentum-changing play. Whether it was a block, a transition kill, or forcing an attack into a difficult angle, she had a way of inserting herself into important moments. She plays with confidence and embraces physical volleyball. I also liked that she continued calling for the ball deep into rallies. Some middles fade as points get extended. Makenna looked like she wanted the responsibility. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     Camilla Holzer's game is one you appreciate more the longer you watch. She may not always be the loudest player on the court, but she consistently put herself in the right position. Her footwork along the net was impressive and allowed her to stay balanced while moving from assignment to assignment. There were several moments where she arrived exactly where she needed to be before the play developed. That anticipation is difficult to teach. She looked comfortable managing the small details that often decide tight matches. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='815682' first='Lauryn' last='Harris'] was one of those players that quietly kept showing up in key moments. The more I watched, the more I appreciated how efficient her game was. There was very little wasted movement and she rarely looked rushed. When Dakota Valley needed a quality swing in transition, she was available. When the defense needed help closing a block, she was there. Her value became more noticeable with every set because she consistently handled her responsibilities while still finding ways to influence the outcome of rallies. Coaches looking for reliability in the middle position should appreciate what Lauryn brings to the court. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prepdig.com/dakotas/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_5b1fa1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-987083" /></a></figure>

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