Postseason Position Recap: Middle Blockers
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Another position recap is on the way. Let’s talk about some middle blockers! It was actually quite a common sight to see middle blockers take over matches throughout the club season. Middles naturally want to make the most of their…
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Continue ReadingAnother position recap is on the way. Let’s talk about some middle blockers!
It was actually quite a common sight to see middle blockers take over matches throughout the club season. Middles naturally want to make the most of their trips across the front row, and I saw a lot of players who consistently did just that. These frontcourt experts mix in a variety of skills to their game. They can also become unstoppable forces on offense or defense, which makes their presence invaluable to a team’s success.
Let’s take a trip back through time and relive some of the best middle blocker moments of the 2021 club season.
Impact 2024s
This region is full of middles from the Class of 2024 that are set to dominate the prep scene for years to come.
One good example is Mia Tvrdy Mia Tvrdy 6'0" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #35 Nation NE . I’ve previously discussed this middle blocker’s ability to crack the ball to the floor on her one-footed attacks behind the setter. Tvrdy is one of the most reliable 2024s I’ve seen in two-hitter rotations, and her future development will certainly be fun to watch.
While we’re still in Nebraska, I want to also give a shoutout to Nora Wurtz Nora Wurtz 6'4" | MB DC West | 2024 State #109 Nation NE . This Nebraska Elite product makes her presence felt in front of the setter, where she often finds a way to put the ball down. Keep an eye on Wurtz as she continues to thrive in the NE Elite program.
In the Kansas City area, Cy Rae Campbell Cy Rae Campbell 5'11" | MB Heritage Christian | 2024 State #45 Nation KS is one of several talented Dynasty middle blockers that I got to cover during the season. Her electrifying slide attacks make it hard to believe she still has some much prep volleyball ahead of her. That’s a scary thought for any of her future opponents.
2023s to Watch
The strength of the middle blocker position in the Midwest does not end with the 2024s.
Calissa Minatee is one of the most exciting middle blockers I got to watch all year, regardless of age group. She terminates so well in front of the setter and puts up a massive, intimidating block. The energy she brings to the floor is infectious, and it frequently drew me to Dynasty 16 Black’s court throughout the season.
Two more Nebraska Elite middles that I enjoyed covering this year are Kensington Tekrony Kensington Tekrony 6'0" | MB Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE and Amanda Loschen Amanda Loschen 6'2" | MB Omaha Marian | 2023 State NE . This pair is always among some of the highest-flying athletes in the state, and that usually helps them rack up kills in big moments. Loschen has had no problem standing out while playing a year up for much of her prep career. That high-level experience will pay off.
More Names to Follow
Let’s round out this recap with some quick notes on more standout performers around the region:
- Keep an eye on some of the small-town talents around the Cornhusker State. Chloe Hanel Chloe Hanel 5'11" | MB Clarkson/Leigh | 2024 State NE from Clarkson/Leigh and Mikah O’Neill Mikah O’Neill 5'11" | MB Sumner-Eddyville-Miller | 2024 State NE from Sumner-Eddyville-Miller are a couple of good examples.
- Don’t forget about some of the 2022s around the Midwest. Caroline Beckmann is a big-time terminator who can really play any position across the front row. The same principle applies to Kate Brown from Dynasty, who has displayed her ability to play on the pin as well as in the middle.
- Iowa has some versatile players who know how to run the middle, too. Cassidy Hartman Cassidy Hartman 5'10" | MB Iowa City Liberty | 2023 State #130 Nation IA and Gabby Deery Gabby Deery 6'2" | MB Burlington Notre Dame | 2023 State IA are two players that I hyped up in my Nationals recaps earlier this month. These 2023s are leaders for their respective teams and will play whatever position is necessary to help secure a victory.