Middle Management: Middles Who Stood Out at the Stock Up Showcase

There was plenty of business to handle at the net during the Stock Up Showcase, and these middles were up to the task. I feel there weren't as many middles in the building as in previous events, but it gave the ones in attendance a chance to shine. Here are those I was able to capture notes on throughout the morning.    Cody had a strong showing from the middle throughout the showcase. I like watching the work middles put in during transition, and she did a good job of consistently working off the net and making herself available as an attacking option. That effort is important because even when the middle doesn't get the ball, being available can hold the opposing block and create opportunities elsewhere.   Defensively, Cody also moved very well pin to pin. She showed good lateral quickness getting across the net and putting herself in position to help close blocks on both sides. Her ability to work in transition and cover ground along the net made for a solid all-around showing from the middle.     Pauly displayed a similar skill set to Cody in my eyes, and the two are comparable in size as well. So, it wasn't much of a surprise when I looked at the 2029 rankings and saw them sitting right near each other. As a rising sophomore, there is plenty of potential to like in Pauly's game, particularly as an attacker. I thought she showed good court vision in the air, recognizing open areas of the floor and looking to attack those zones rather than simply swinging away. That ability to see the court and make decisions while attacking is a nice quality for a young middle and should only become more effective as she continues to develop.     The Smithville and KC Power sophomore showed off a good skill set in both drill work and live action. She's a hard worker, and at 5-foot-11, she brings good length to the middle. She's what I like to call springy, an athletic player who gets off the floor well and has the tools to make an impact at the net. Her combination of length, athleticism, and effort gives her plenty to work with as she continues to develop. I saw her stock rise throughout the club season, and her performance at the showcase only added to that. She will be a name you'll see in the updated Missouri rankings when they come out next month.     The youngster didn't let the older players intimidate her throughout the day, as Buckley put together a good showing in the middle. If my notes are matched with the right player, she also showed flashes of being able to attack from the back row, adding another intriguing piece to her offensive game. At the net, Buckley provides a big block and covers ground quickly, giving her the ability to make her presence felt defensively.   Another part of her game that showed some promising flashes was attacking behind the setter on the slide. As her timing and connection continue to develop, that could become another effective weapon in her offensive arsenal. For a young player competing against older athletes, Buckley showed plenty of tools to be excited about moving forward.

There was plenty of business to handle at the net during the Stock Up Showcase, and these middles were up to the task. I feel there weren't as many middles in the building as in previous events, but it gave the ones in attendance a chance to shine. Here are those I was able to capture notes on throughout the morning.