Middles Who Conquered Battle In The Valley

<p>This weekend the Prep Dig Battle In The Valley took over Appleton and teams from across the state (and a couple others) appeared at the Community First Champion Center to compete and fight for a few more wins on the season.  There were some great moments and big plays this weekend as teams have gotten into a groove.  Here are some middles who controlled the net at the Battle In The Valley! </p> [caption id="attachment_141306" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Abbi-Martin-Ice-18N-2-crop-3107x2040-1620337439.jpg"><img class="wp-image-141306 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Abbi-Martin-Ice-18N-2-crop-3107x2040-1620337439-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> #3 [player_tooltip player_id="118260" first="Abbi" last="Martin"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118260" first="Abbi" last="Martin"] – 2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker – Mosinee – Wisconsin Ice 18 National</strong><em>            </em></p> <p>Martin may have height, but she also has a solid vertical, long reach, and high swing. This helps her play at a whole other level above the net.  Martin is a solid blocker and drives hard to close every block. Her lateral quickness and quick elevation help her earn kills for her team. </p> <p><strong>Ava Hanson – 2024 – Middle Blocker – Oak Creek – Oak Creek K-Force 15 Blue</strong>             </p> <p>Hanson is a young athlete with huge potential. She has a fast swing and makes great contact with the ball. Hanson also puts up a solid block that gives her defense a big advantage. She was very consistent and found ways to earned points in every set. Hanson is definitely a raw athlete to watch out for. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="90601" first="Gabriella" last="Magee"] – 2022 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – Homestead – Wisconsin Premier 17 Teal</strong><strong> </strong> </p> <p>Magee is a solid middle who knows how to use her height to her advantage and can set a great block, as well as take a powerful swing. The 5’10 Homestead prep jumped out at the Prep Dig Battle In The Valley this past weekend with her ability to contact the ball at such a high point, snap fast and pinpoint either corner.  Magee continues to develop her game at the net as she hits over and through most blocks, but her shots have become pretty notable as well.  She is smart with the ball and is more than just a solid blocker.   </p> [caption id="attachment_140962" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-140962 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/3-Addison-Janus-23-Carizma-Muth-Madison-United-16-Red.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Addison Janus[/caption] <p><strong>Addison Janus – 2023 – Middle Blocker – Waunakee – Madison Sting United 16 Red </strong></p> <p>This scrappy middle helped her team make it to a Silver bracket on day 1 of the Battle In The Valley.  She did a nice job of closing the block, as well as making herself available on every play.  Janus elevates well and sees the court to find the open tip in the 4 corner. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Bry Kluess – 2024 – Middle Blocker – Hortonville – Wisconsin Blaze 15 Black</strong><em>              </em></p> <p>Kluess is a dangerous middle with an amazing amount of promise. She dominated in the front row and her powerful swing made her a menace out of the middle. Kluess puts up a solid block and can power through the opposing blockers.  </p> <p><strong>Halie Kapelke – 2024 – Middle Blocker – Onalaska – V-Hawk Xtreme 16-Adidas </strong>  </p> <p>Kapelke is an extremely engaged middle who knows how to make herself available for her setter on every play.  She is a dynamic player who moves well, gives her setter options, and has a really high contact point and long reach. Kapelke does a nice job working around the block and finding the corners which really sets her team up for success.  Even when she doesn’t get the ball, blockers know they can’t ignore her, and she helps give her other teammates more options as well.  Kapelke also has a lot of power behind her swing and knows just how to execute. </p> [caption id="attachment_141039" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-141039 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/9-Berlin-Troendle-vhawk-xtreme-16-adidas.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Berlin Troendle[/caption] <p><strong>Berlin Troendle – 2023 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker – Waukon (IA) – V-Hawk Xtreme 16-Adidas</strong><strong><em> </em></strong> </p> <p>Troendle has some good height and even more potential.  She sees the court well and  has great court awareness.  Troendle is so strong in the middle with smart timing and a big block.  She is an offensive asset to her team with a high contact point and fast swing that gets her a ton of kills.  Troendle’s awareness and quick reaction also make her super scrappy at the net.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103719" first="Kierney" last="McDonald"] – 2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker – Rockridge – Iowa Select 17 Mizuno (IL/IA)</strong> </p> <p>McDonald is an energetic, strong middle blocker who is consistently engaged and knows how to help her team score points.  She has a quick approach to the ball, which makes her even more dangerous, since she has the ability to run plays in any situation and pulls the blockers’ attention.</p>