Middles Coaches Need To Know Before It's Too Late

<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>   If you're still searching for a middle, I think these players deserve your attention. Being a middle is exhausting. You're expected to go pin-to-pin, close blocks, transition quickly, and always be ready for the next ball. There isn't much time to think. You have to trust yourself, play aggressively, and embrace the chaos that comes with the position. These are the players who do just that.   When you find a middle who can showcase these skills, you pay attention. All of these athletes have proven they can do that and more throughout this past club season. Some of these girls still have some club games left to play. They aren't afraid of hard work, and they're willing to make adjustments and do whatever it takes to keep improving.   These middle schoolers are the ones coaches should be talking to before it's too late.    [player_tooltip player_id='534965' first='Dalena' last='Aamot'] embraces everything that comes with playing in the middle. She works hard going pin to pin to close blocks and understands how important it is to press over the net and take away angles. What I appreciate about Dalena is that she doesn't take plays off. She transitions quickly off the block, establishes herself as an offensive option, and is ready when the setter calls her number. There are moments when a middle changes the momentum of a set with a block touch or a quick kill, and Dalena consistently finds ways to impact those moments. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='746253' first='Makiah' last='Sharpe'] has the height and uses it in every play. She reads the other setters and adjusts quickly. Makiah understands that middle blockers don't always get the glory, but they can completely change the way opponents attack. Watching Makiah, you will see her force hitters to adjust and get block touches. She runs at a quick tempo and is a key part of every rally. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='749243' first='Leighton' last='Scherr'] stood out because of how efficiently she moved. Middles are constantly transitioning, and Leighton seemed to understand where she needed to be before the ball even got there. She closed seams well defensively and stayed available offensively. I liked how she stayed patient while tracking the play, then exploded into action when the opportunity came. Her timing and ability to move from blocker to attacker made her difficult to overlook. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='880838' first='Ava' last='Keller']   [player_tooltip player_id='880838' first='Ava' last='Keller'] brings an aggressive mindset to the middle position. She attacks with purpose and doesn't hesitate when opportunities present themselves. Ava works hard to establish the middle attack and understands how important that is to opening up the offense for the pins. On the defense side, she focuses on presses on the net and gets touches. There is an intensity to the way she plays that keeps her involved from the first point to the last. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='815673' first='Lauren' last='Strom']   [player_tooltip player_id='815673' first='Lauren' last='Strom'] does many of the little things that make middles successful. She communicates at the net, works to close blocks, and transitions efficiently into offense. What stood out was her consistency. She stayed disciplined with her footwork, tracked hitters well, and put herself in position to help her team point after point. Lauren understands that being a middle isn't always about the big kill. Sometimes it's the block touch that slows the attack, the quick transition that keeps the defense honest, or simply being ready for the next play. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!   This journey is created by the village, athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</h4>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</h3>   <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>

This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30