AAU Preview: Which Ohio Middles Will Shine in 16 Open?

Williams physicality in the middle has noticeably been growing over the course of the club season. As her skills are improving in her footwork and arm swing, she has increasingly become more aggressive and assertive in her early movement off the net in transition to find the ball, create a good runway, and command the set through different options. Her improved presence elevates this team further, one that already has been playing at a very competitive level through good effort and execution in different areas. Look for Williams in Florida as her stock is growing for a [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] team that is the #3 overall seed and a big threat to get on the podium in 16 Open.     McDaniel is a 2027 prospect competing with [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite']'s top 16U team as a key staple to their defense at the net. As she has good offensive tools to take healthy swings through quick options, it is her effort and impact on the other side of the ball that lead to some of her biggest and best contributions for this squad. McDaniel has good defensive I.Q. as she reads the play well with while loaded and patient in her blocking preparation. This is purposeful to help her make a quick move up and over versus other middles or to start her footwork to the pins to help her close space next to her teammates.     At 6'1, Smith (*pictured) continues to shine as a key feature to this Spirit team's overall effort. She has a well-rounded skill set through which she executes with an ease and with confidence. Her athleticism is evident in all that she does, especially at the net in her ability to score at the pins or through quick middle tempo options. Even her ability to make plays in tougher situations with composure and intent can make a difference. Smith defends with good footwork and quick lift and hand penetration across the net to apply good pressure upon opponents solo or in tandem. This team's middle presence is purposeful and helps create viable options offensively in all positions that often finds success.     Holmes has been making good strides over the course of this club season as a middle, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Her gains as another middle for this Spirit squad have been increasingly noticeable in the quality of her movement around her setter and the aggressive contact she is putting on the ball with better timing. This offense runs her on a higher tempo quick option that is paying off with her ability to have more time to track the ball, build her momentum, and create good space off the net. When on time, she has been displaying better arm control in how she can drive the ball towards the edges of the block with good purpose. Her footwork and timing on a one foot slide approach are also improving to expand her range of point scoring options.     Martinez is part of a group of middles for this Elite VBTC squad that creates some good depth in this position. As they have some really good pin presence, the middle action they can produce helps balance the floor offensively as Martinez can be key to that effort. She moves well around her setter, tracking the ball coming off the passer to help her develop good timing and space. As she is not the biggest middle at 5'10, she can command attention in how well she makes herself available on one side while also putting up a respectable block for her team to play around defensively on the other side.