Get To Know The Top 5 Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just finished up our preseason position poll regarding those awesome Middle Blockers. Voters had the opportunity to either vote for someone who is on the list already or input their own vote. When the dust settled there were five players with the most votes. We asked each one of them a few questions so that we may get to know them a little bit better. We asked these three questions. Why is a Middle Blocker so important? What is 1 goal of yours this season? and 1 shoutout to a coach or teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='666302' first='Addison' last='Doyle']- 2027 Middle Blocker for Claremore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Being a middle blocker is so important because we run the net. Without middles putting up a block or getting a block touch, the back row would have a much harder time playing defense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>My goal for this season is to win a state title.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I would like to shout out Coach Jackson for always believing in me and pushing me to become a better athlete.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='902270' first='Lydia' last='Matlock']- 2029 Middle Blocker for Stillwater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The middle blockers job is very important because it sets up the system for the passers and takes away space for the other team to score points.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One goal of mine this season is to become more of a leader for my team and my new teammates.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I would like to shout out Jeff Boyland for helping me become a better team player on and off the court. Without Jeff my team would have fallen apart. I'm so grateful I got to play for such a great coach!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741012' first='Jordyn' last='Payne']- 2028 Middle Blocker for Jenks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Being a middle is important because we help set the tone at the net, and our communication, and quick decisions can make a big difference on offense or defense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One goal of mine this season is to become a more consistent player and do everything I can to help my team become more successful.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I want to give a shoutout Coach Kane for constantly pushing me to be my best and believing in me every step of the way.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='737518' first='Brianni' last='Kimbro']- 2028 Middle Blocker for Lawton Mac.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I always believe middle is the most important position on the court. As a middle, we are the anchor of the team defensively and on offensive. A great middle can affect the attack plan of the other team's setter. We can really shrink the court and make the opposing team's offense predictable. On offense a great middle can open things up for pin hitters and setter dumps by creating pressure on the defense and making them respect the quick attack.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As a team, our #1 goal is to make it to the State Tournament and hopefully have success in those games. Individually, my main focus is to improve my attack by getting stronger and increasing my arm speed.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I would love to give a shout out to our new coach, Jenny Walker!! We're all so excited to make her first season at MacArthur High School a success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='752787' first='Aven' last='Payne']- 2029 Middle Blocker for OCS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I believe being a middle is very important because it is the teams first line of defense at the net and it provides opportunities to play a key role in a quick offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One goal I have this season is to increase my hitting accuracy offensively and ball placement on the court.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One shoutout I would like to give would be to Jeff Boyland for giving my first opportunity to play for a 1's team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->