Block Party: Players Dominating the Net

A strong block can change the way an offense operates before the ball ever crosses the net. These blockers are making hitters reconsider their options, closing seams with their teammates, and turning defensive touches into points. From middles who can travel pin to pin to outside hitters who set the block, these five players made their presence felt at the net.    [player_tooltip player_id='411302' first='Madilyn' last='Hill'] complements Owasso's middle block with a controlled swing block from the outside. She sets the block well and works alongside middle [player_tooltip player_id='773629' first='Zofia' last='Shlekhar'] to close space at the tape for opposing attackers. She brings that same intensity to the offense with an aggressive swing from the pin. She also put pressure on Broken Arrow from behind the service line, earning points on a pair of aces.     [player_tooltip player_id='773629' first='Zofia' last='Shlekhar'] creates a wall across the net for Owasso. She is a middle blocker who moves well along the net and closes a big block on both pins. Zofia's blocking doesn't just slow down opponents, but she earns points for the Rams. Recently against Broken Arrow, she put down a momentum-changing solo block and backed up her front row performance with a sideline Ace.     [player_tooltip player_id='899618' first='Lylla' last='Owens'] gave Carl Albert a strong presence in the middle against Casady. Lylla put down a big solo block in the first set and connected well with her pin blockers to create challenging swings for opposing hitters. She moves athletically along the net and backs up her blocking with a fast attack. Lylla loads her elbow high and seems to float to the ball before taking her swing. She rounded out her match stats with a big ace in the third set.     Sydney Nolan uses her athleticism and quickness to establish a strong block for Moore. She gets to her spot early and camps on the hitter, giving herself time to read the attack and time her block. She earned back-to-back blocks in the third set and continued making an impact late in the match. One of her blocks put Moore ahead 16-15 in the fifth set. She also contributed from the service line with aces in multiple sets. She works particularly well with teammate Brynlie Clarkson.     Brynlie Clarkson gives Moore a strong block from the outside. She does a good job setting the block at the pin and works particularly well alongside middle Sydney Nolan. Brynlie sets the block and gives her middle a clear target to close, limiting the options available to opposing right-side hitters. Their connection forces attackers to be intentional about where they place the ball and makes Moore's defense a serious issue for hitters.

A strong block can change the way an offense operates before the ball ever crosses the net. These blockers are making hitters reconsider their options, closing seams with their teammates, and turning defensive touches into points. From middles who can travel pin to pin to outside hitters who set the block, these five players made their presence felt at the net.