Reading the Attack: Senior Blockers Who Understand the Net

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram @prepdigdakota.</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blocking is more than getting two hands above the tape. The seniors in this group know how to read the attack, get their feet in the right position, and finish with a strong press over the net. I'm watching how they track the setter, pick up the hitter's approach, close the seam, and get their hands across the plane instead of simply jumping straight up. Good blockers can take away space before they ever touch the ball, forcing hitters to change shots or giving the defense behind them a better read. These seniors are showing that kind of presence at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["413371"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c78342f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='413371' first='Nora' last='Mitteness'] has caught my attention with the way she works into position before going up to block. Her footwork helps her get square to the attack instead of drifting as she leaves the floor, putting her in a better position to finish with her hands. I have seen some positive moments where Mitteness moves across the plane and presses into the attack rather than relying solely on her reach above the tape. When the feet, timing, and press come together, she can take away space quickly. Those are the details I will keep watching with Mitteness, as they can make a difference at the next level. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952638"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c7834a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The read-and-react side of blocking is where [player_tooltip player_id='952638' first='Keira' last='Schipper'] has impressed me most. She works to read where the set is going, move laterally along the net, and get into position to challenge the swing. Her movement is controlled, and I like seeing her arrive balanced enough to finish the block with her hands still. For an experienced blocker, getting the read early can mean the difference between chasing the play and being in front of it. That ability to read, move, and finish is an area of Schipper's game worth watching. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alayna Hardy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cotter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c78357c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alayna Hardy has shown some effective work closing the block, an area that becomes even more important when evaluating an experienced front-row player. She moves along the net and works toward the blocker beside her, limiting the seam available to an attacker. I have also noticed Hardy staying active with her hands above the tape and looking to move them across the plane. A well-formed block doesn't always end with a ball straight down. Taking away that seam can change the hitter's swing and make the next defensive contact much easier. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["815764"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c7835d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Timing has been one of the pieces I have watched closely with [player_tooltip player_id='815764' first='Leila' last='Colvin']. There is a difference between simply getting high and being above the net at the right point in the hitter's swing. Colvin has shown effective timing, matching her jump to the attack and giving her a chance to have her hands in place at contact. When she combines that timing with a strong press, the attacking window shrinks quickly. That is the blocking sequence I want to see consistently from an experienced senior. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["818191"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c78361c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='818191' first='Rula' last='Butkowski'] has shown disciplined blocking technique, particularly in how she establishes her body before finishing with her hands. Rather than making the entire block happen with her upper body, she works to get herself behind the play first. That balance provides her a better opportunity to reach high and press across the plane. I also look at the touches a blocker creates, not just the balls that land straight down. Butkowski can take away space and slow an attack enough to give the defense behind her another chance to play the ball. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763471"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa619c78365e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='763471' first='Brooke' last='Hecht'] is another senior whose positioning I have been watching closely. She works to place her feet and body behind the block rather than reaching after the hitter once she is already in the air. Her hand positioning is another area that has caught my attention, particularly when she stays disciplined on the outside portion of the block. That positioning can take away valuable space from an attacker and help establish what is available for the defense behind her. With Hecht, I'll keep watching those smaller technical pieces as the season moves forward. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you, 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. 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