Big Middles Ready For The Big Time In The Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Positional breakdowns continue this week with our 2028 rankings breakdown. Today's edition gets us fully focused on the bigs—-those middles that have more than size to offer the schools looking at them. Here are five from around the state that have the size, skill and volleyball IQ to make it big in collegiate ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575131"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7f818413a60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of the top-placing Indiana team at 16 Open GJNCs (they finished 5th), Jordyn is a big and physical middle that has M1 and M2 on lock positionally. Of course, 6'4” doesn't hurt, but it's WHAT you do with that size that matters. While blocking, she's an intimidating force that must be considered when attacking against her. As an attacker, she can hit any tempo set in any situation, either behind or in front of the setter. Miss Blair is a next-level middle that hasn't found a home yet, and will be a HUGE pickup for whomever gets her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741564"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7f818413ac0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the rare “big and physical” kids from southern Indiana, Miss Manos has upper body strength for days. The heft with which she hits is intimidating to defenders, and she can hammer away at undisciplined blocks without remorse to score points. I'd love to see what she can do on the pins, but for now, her middle play got her this far, and should be considered for serious volleyball recruiters willing to take on this gem of a big.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["585841"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7f818413b0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although not as big as the girls listed above, Celeste is more than capable of doing just as effective of a job as the over-six-footers. The glide and smoothness in her middle play shows out on offense, but her defense is quick and lively on the block as well. Adept at scoring points with brains more than brawn Miss Wiegman is a complete middle that's hard to find in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603158"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7f818413b57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rachel is an all-state honoree that has the ability to take over a match in multiple ways. Against bigger competition, she'll beat them with speed and smarts. Smaller blockers struggle to contain her because of the heavy nature of her attacks. Smart volleyball defenses can't quite nail down where she'll attack next. Anyone going against her will find a kid that read-blocks better than most middles in this or any graduating class. With Trinity Lutheran moving up to 2A this fall, she'll get a chance to see all types of teams, and continue to dominate the way All-State honorees should.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["590018"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7f818413b9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A mixture of Celeste's lithe and smooth nature and Isabella's strength and volleyball IQ, Karleigh is a nice combination middle that can do a little of everything on the volleyball court as a middle. I like her attack height, as there are very few in this class that can match her length. She knows how to terminate, as evidenced by this past club season. Now part of the regular rotation at HSE, I'm looking forward to how she performs against the biggest girls in this state, and her adjustments when teams figure her out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->