Back To ‘27: What Middles Await The Call?

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!   We're still in the thick of new commitment season for the class of 2028 this week. With a ton of attention pointed towards the younglings, what about the upcoming senior class that has so many available athletes? Here are five middle hitters from around the state that should be expecting a call from the next level, and the uniqueness that each middle hitters can bring their potential collegiate squads.    Playing with the fire, strength and confidence of a full-grown adult, Ja'Maria is a future M2 with terminator written all over her. Playing up with the Samurai and seeing some of the best competition in the country (and thriving), Miss Jackson transitions quicker than a lot of middles can think and react. Her athleticism alone wins net battles when she's swinging, and her jumping ability and long arms makes blocking look simple to her. Don't think of Ja'Maria as undersized, as most of any apparent deficiency is more than made up for in athleticism and work ethic.     Madden's stock has risen a ton this spring, and for good reason—-adding to her attacking skill set at a solid 6'3” cannot be understated. I'm loving the work ethic, the constant readiness to attack, and her ability to occasionally put balls away outside of her natural middle position. She's two-footed on her approach, so think of her as a hybrid M2, as I wouldn't be surprised if collegiate coaches used her as an occasional right side; her attacks from the right pin look just as natural as her swings from the middle. And those arms! With length for days, you can't teach 6'3”, and she'd (at the very least) would be an excellent late-game blocking sub when you absolutely need a point.     With a nearly 30” vertical, Kenley can be either an M1 or an M2 at the next level, depending on what set you feed her. Terminal to the last, she whips her hitting arm through the attacking zone with power and speed not seen from most of the other middles still available in this class. Quiet and unassuming in real life, her fire and “thump” comes alive once the whistle blows.     I like this kid. A lot. The fact that she's played—-and thrived—-in multiple age group 1s teams for Team Indiana this spring is proof positive that Caroline can adjust to any setter and any offensive system at any time. That easy-to-coach mentality, coupled with her willingness to play outside of her comfort zone, marks her as one of the more recruitable kids in this class in ANY position.     It's hard to look at Avery and immediately think “middle blocker”, yet here we are. With a strong upper body, fast feet in transition and a high snap point, Miss Little doesn't seem so little when playing some of the best club middles around the Midwest. Yes, she might be relegated to the right side at the next level, but for now she's more than holding her own with the big girls, and attacks with a fervor that just isn't seen—-an almost fearless attitude when she steps within her side's 900 square feet.

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!