Michigan Top 250: Top Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Top 250 tour is in full swing and the tour has made its stop to Michigan. One of the biggest up-and-coming hot beds of volleyball talent in America, the Michigan Top 250 was stacked from top to bottom. Some of the top names in the Mitten state were on full display and it made for some amazing volleyball in the UWM Sports Complex!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some crazy talented middles in the 166 deep field, here were some of my picks for the top middle blockers at the Michigan Top 250.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley'] - 5'11 MB - Saline/Huron Valley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264761,"width":230,"height":161,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/3-Clare-Beazley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264761" width="230" height="161" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the athletes featured in our previews leading up to the Top 250 Expo, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley']</strong> did not disappoint! One of the more athletic middles in the field, Beazley showed to be more than capable at hanging with the big dogs. She has a great cross body swing that can throw off the toughest of opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] - 6'1 MB - Bloomfield Hills/Legacy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably one of the heaviest arms in the gym,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kayla-nwabueze/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;is an utter terror! A high-flying missile in the sky, Nwabueze left quite a few dents in the floor and deflated a lot of balls. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a bill for property damage from UWM! Only a freshman, it's quite impressive to see this player with such control in not only her swing, but her blocking capabilities, too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti'] - 6'0 MB - Marian/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From watching this middle in the 14s division last spring, to now, [player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti'] is on a huge upward trajectory. This past weekend was a great opportunity for Zayti to show what she's been up to in the Marian gym this past fall. Her technique and power when she plays is coming together quite nicely. Look for her to be a power player for Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264794,"width":215,"height":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/47-Grace-Cooney.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264794" width="215" height="170" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='261152' first='Grace' last='Cooney'] - 6'0 MB - Hartland/L2</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first introduction to [player_tooltip player_id='261152' first='Grace' last='Cooney'] and needless to say, I was quite impressed with what I saw. Cooney is a really strong attacker in front of the setter. Whether she is running a ball on top of the setter or in the gap, Cooney has a great sense of timing. Her arm swing is fast and can pack a big punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='179732' first='Isabelle' last='Henry'] - 6'1 MB - Clarkston/L2</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>L2 161 may become a serious power player in the 16s group this club season with this duo in the middle. As impressive Cooney was, her counterpart at L2 was just as impressive. Very similar in play, [player_tooltip player_id='179732' first='Isabelle' last='Henry'] has a great sense of the game. Not only is Henry able to adapt to a variety of sets, but she has a great vision for the court in order to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller'] - 6'3 MB - Lake Orion/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably one of the strongest blockers in the entire gym, [player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller']'s long stature can be an utter menace along the net. While I couldn't quite catch Miller on the offensive end, her blocking more than made up for it. She has great vision for the opposition's offense and can close just about any block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264811,"width":238,"height":191,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/65-Lauren-Johnson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264811" width="238" height="191" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] - 6'1 MB - South Lyon East/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest kids in the gym, [player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] can leap into the clouds within a blink of an eye. Whether it be in her blocking or when she's attacking, Johnson's movement around the court is quite speedy. A tough blocker to contend with, Johnson can also be a terror on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'] - 6'1 MB - Dakota/Michigan Elite </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was another name I wasn't most familiar with coming into the expo, but after this weekend, I will be keeping tabs on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout']</strong> throughout the club season. While listed as a middle blocker, I watched Stout do just about everything on Saturday. A player that can hit just about anywhere along the net and score at a high percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] - 6'1 MB - Leland/Northshore</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord']</strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/fiona-moord/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;is touted as one of the top players in Division 4, now I know why! With total control at the net, Moord is an impressive blocker. More impressively though, Moord has some wicked wrist control for a middle. She has all the shots up her sleeve and can deliver each one with serious pace!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='153678' first='Alexis' last='Norman'] - 6'0 MB - Lapeer/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While a torn labrum may have sidelined <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153678' first='Alexis' last='Norman']</strong> last club season, she returned to the Top 250 expo looking very strong. Her blocking movement is looking much improved upon since the last time I've watched her. And despite the injury, Norman is back and putting a lot of pace behind her attacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'] - 6'2 MB - Dakota/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's nothing better than a middle who can create such an imposing block, but then can follow up with constantly being available in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman']'s game consists of a lot of speed and quick movements and it pays off in dividends when she steps onto the court. This type of play is going to be huge for Michigan Elite's 17 Mizuno squad entering the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264888,"width":212,"height":153,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/153-Delaney-Zielke.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264888" width="212" height="153" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='261138' first='Delaney' last='Zielke'] - 5'10 MB/OPP - Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably one of the best finds of the entire expo. Upon first swing, watching the middles go through rhythm hitting, I said to myself "WHO IS THIS?!" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261138' first='Delaney' last='Zielke']</strong> not only has some major springs for legs, but she has a cannon for an arm. I found myself often stuck on whatever court Zielke was on, just in awe of her play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->