Stat It Up- The Series: #11-15 Block Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Envision it's 14-14 in the third set, and your middle blocker goes to the pin and gets a big time block. It's simply the most amazing feeling for your team, but on the other hand, your opponent is just deflated. Blocking is such an underrated skill but can severely impact the game. Here are five big blockers ranked #11-15 in the state that change the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":275648,"width":181,"height":316,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-21-at-4.13.35-PM.png?w=588" alt="" class="wp-image-275648" width="181" height="316" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lisa Vandiver</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11, [player_tooltip player_id='474691' first='Baleigh' last='Young']</strong> <em>(Warren East)</em>- I've had the privilege to coach this junior middle blocker myself, and she is not only a beast on the court but also a blessing off the court too. Junior middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='474691' first='Baleigh' last='Young'], gathered 129 blocks in 94 sets and averaged 1.37 blocks per set. Sometimes, blocking is just natural to some athletes, and you can tell this is the case with Young. She somehow always finds a way to put her hand on the ball and impact a play whether it's blocking or hitting. As an offensive weapon for Warren East, she also tallied the most kills on her team with 342 and averaged 3.64 kills per set. Young was the big gun that the team looked up to, and she helped make history for East as they advanced to their first region final appearance ever. Just wait until Young is a senior next year.... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#12, Jayden Mullins</strong><em> (Belfy</em>)- A senior middle blocker, Jayden Mullins, tallied 102 blocks in 75 sets where she performed alongside her talented teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='158351' first='Clara' last='McNamee']. Together, the pair combined a whopping 211 blocks which just showed Belfy's powerful defense. Mullins led the team in service aces with 52 and added 143 kills and 132 digs. In Belfy's district championship win against Phelps, Mullins counted 8 kills, 2 blocks, 12 digs, and 3 service aces. Mullins impacted the team from every angle but especially due to her innate blocking skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#13, Alyssa Doyle </strong><em>(Edmonson County)</em>- Another senior middle blocker, Alyssa Doyle, from Edmonson County blocked 112 balls in 83 sets. By averaging 1.35 blocks per set, Doyle showed her defensive power and want to touch every ball that came her way. This talented middle also played all the way around where she had 161 kills, 277 digs, and 21 service aces. You may have seen her fellow teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='267455' first='Kaylee' last='Lindsey'] in the rankings as well, and these two made a great duo as all-around middle hitters. Doyle constantly led the team with her spark and energy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":275649,"width":220,"height":273,"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/Screen-Shot-2022-12-21-at-4.15.11-PM.png?w=825" alt="" class="wp-image-275649" width="220" height="273" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Carson McReynolds</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#14, McKenzie Widener</strong> <em>(Pineville</em>)- Leading her Pineville squad in most kills and blocks, senior middle blocker, McKenzie Widener made this state list because of her determination and speed. Widener tallied 113 blocks in 88 sets which meant averaging 1.28 blocks per set. Not only did she help defensively by blocking, but she impacted Pineville offensively with 243 kills and 94 service aces. Standing at 5'11, Widener is not afraid to be aggressive and own the net which is why she's one of the best blockers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#15, Carson McReynolds </strong><em>(Calloway County)</em>- A multi-sport athlete, this 5'10 senior middle blocker, Carson McReynolds killed the charts with 102 blocks in 80 sets. Not only does she average 1.27 blocks a set, but McReynolds also shows her athleticism on the softball field. McReynolds stands at 5'10, and that height definitely helps her blocking wise. With her smart mind and quick movements to the pins, McReynolds proves to be a great blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->