Elite 5: High-Level Middles From the 2030 Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong>&nbsp;<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>The Class of 2030 still has plenty of development ahead, but these five middles are already showing traits that should have high-level college programs paying attention. It starts with size and athleticism, but it goes beyond that. Their movement along the net, blocking presence, ability to get up and be available offensively, and overall upside at the position set them apart early. They are still developing, but these five South Dakota middles are worth tracking as they continue to grow their game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753616"],"_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-6a9772ba533f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='753616' first='Katie' last='Malchow'] stands out with how well she moves for a 6'0" middle. She is athletic laterally, covers ground along the net, and has the quickness to get herself in position to impact plays from pin to pin. Offensively, she gets off the floor well and can be a tough matchup when she is available in transition. The combination of size, movement, and athleticism gives Malchow a high-level recruiting profile early in her career. Her traits can translate to the Division I level, making her a 2030 middle college coaches should already be tracking. <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":["899013"],"_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-6a9772ba5348c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='899013' first='Fiona' last='Medema'] plays fast in the middle, and that immediately catches your attention. At 6'0", she combines size with a quick first step, gets off the floor quickly, and stays active around the net. She can make her presence felt as a blocker and then turn around and be available as an offensive option in transition. Medema's ability to play with pace is a big piece of what separates her. She has the physical tools to match it, making her a 2030 middle college athlete coaches should have on their radar. <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":["1022297"],"_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-6a9772ba534fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1022297' first='CeCe' last='Morgan'] is going to make college coaches stop at 6'2", but there is more here than the number next to her name. Her length changes the picture at the net, giving her the ability to take away space as a blocker while presenting a big window for setters offensively. She already has a physical profile that is difficult to teach, and that makes every step forward in her game that much more interesting. Morgan is an early 2030 prospect with the size and presence high-level programs will want to track. <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":["1022937"],"_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-6a9772ba53572"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1022937' first='Kylee' last='Henjum'] brings a strong 6'1" frame to the middle, but her offensive possibilities are what make her especially interesting. She can play above the net, gives setters a big target, and has the tools to become a middle who demands attention from opposing blockers. On defense, her length lets her take up space and create a strong presence across the net. There is a lot to work with in Henjum's game, and her combination of size and offensive ability makes her one of the 2030 middles worth following closely. <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":["1023040"],"_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-6a9772ba535c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1023040' first='Leighton' last='Bumgardner'] separates herself with explosiveness. At 5'11", she doesn't have the same length as some in this group, but she plays bigger because of how quickly she gets off the floor and how well she moves. Bumgardner can get across the net, compete above it, and use her athleticism to create opportunities to block and attack. That quickness gives her a different look from the other middles in this Elite 5. She is an athlete at the position, and that will keep her on the radar as the 2030 class develops. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my 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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