More Middles That Caught My Eye: Indiana Stock Up Showcase

Not every player who catches my eye leads the showcase in kills or blocks. Sometimes it's a unique physical tool, a high volleyball IQ, an elite skill, or simply a glimpse of what they could become with continued development. These middle blockers each brought something different to the court that made me stop and take notice. With a little work in other areas, I believe every one of them has the potential to significantly raise their recruiting stock and become a name coaches should know.    She ended up being one of the sneakiest, good middle blockers at the showcase. At first glance, she doesn't immediately jump off the page, but the more she played, the more her game stood out as she found her groove. She had one of the best cutback shots attacking the one, consistently finding open space and making it difficult for defenders, and she also showed the ability to terminate behind the setter when given the opportunity. Defensively, she was a fundamentally sound young blocker who competed well at the net and showed plenty of promise. As she continues to develop, I'd like to see her communicate more consistently with her setter to help establish an even stronger connection, but that's a natural part of the learning process for a young middle. She has a solid foundation, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her stock rise as her confidence and chemistry continue to grow.     As one of the older middle blockers in the gym (still just a rising junior), she showed a level of polish that immediately stood out. She had the quickest and cleanest transition footwork of any middle at the showcase, a clear indication of quality training and an understanding of how to create offensive opportunities. To me, she projects as an M2, excelling at quick attacks in front of the setter where she consistently contacted the ball at an impressive height. Defensively, she has an exceptional blocking reach—arguably the highest in the gym—which gives her tremendous potential to control the net. As she continues to develop, I'd love to see her trust her ability by pressing over the net instead of simply reaching high, a small adjustment that could make her an even more dominant blocker. She already has the physical tools and technical foundation to be a very intriguing prospect.     She has one of the strongest arms in this class, and when the set was there, she probably put more pace on the ball than any other middle at the showcase. She looked comfortable running the slide and showed she can terminate from multiple locations, making her a difficult matchup at the net. At times, the ball got a little too far behind her head, so keeping it out in front will help her generate even more power while making her arm swing more efficient. I'd also like to see her get her left arm up more during her swing to create additional power and maximize her already impressive arm swing. Defensively, she was one of the best blockers in the gym, consistently getting to a high height over the net and recording some of the best blocks of the event. With her physicality and defensive instincts, she has the potential to become a true difference-maker at the net.     It's hard not to get excited about her potential. As an incoming freshman standing 6'2", she already has all the physical pieces college coaches look for in a middle blocker. While she's still new to the position, she looked much more comfortable once game play began, consistently terminating in front of the setter and showing the ability to score on the one in both directions. She also put up a sizeable block and has the frame to become a real force at the net. As she transitions to the high school level, continuing to improve her lateral foot speed to close the block more quickly will elevate her game even further. With her size, offensive upside, and room for growth, she's a player whose stock could climb quickly over the next few years.     She brought a skill set to the showcase that I didn't see from many other middle blockers. Her deep float serve was exceptional, consistently putting opponents out of system and racking up aces at the start of the day. What impressed me just as much was the way she approached every time with purpose. Whether she received the set or not, she went hard every single time, forcing opposing blockers to honor her and creating openings for her teammates. For a rising sophomore, she played with impressive confidence and moved laterally on the block with quickness that allowed her to close effectively at the net. As she continues to develop, becoming more terminal as an attacker and using smart shots to beat bigger, more physical blocks will make her an even more dangerous offensive threat. She already possesses several high-level skills that every coach values, and with continued offensive growth, her stock will only continue to rise.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you loved this article, please follow my Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/abovethenetvolleyball" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Above The Net Volleyball</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</h3>   After following our page, take the next step and subscribe to PrepDig! By subscribing, you'll not only stay connected to the latest coverage of your favorite events, but you'll also be helping to shine a spotlight on rising volleyball talent.   Use discount code Smith30 for an exclusive discount!   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Not every player who catches my eye leads the showcase in kills or blocks. Sometimes it's a unique physical tool, a high volleyball IQ, an elite skill, or simply a glimpse of what they could become with continued development. These middle blockers each brought something different to the court that made me stop and take notice. With a little work in other areas, I believe every one of them has the potential to significantly raise their recruiting stock and become a name coaches should know.