Middle Blockers Heat Up At Big City Luau
With the winter storms and below zero temperatures looming, there were some athletes who were absolutely heating up the gym throughout the whole weekend and middle blockers were center stage. From the 15s and 16s and Ralia Sports, home of…
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Continue ReadingWith the winter storms and below zero temperatures looming, there were some athletes who were absolutely heating up the gym throughout the whole weekend and middle blockers were center stage. From the 15s and 16s and Ralia Sports, home of MN Select to Shakopee High School where two of the top middle blockers in the Midwest were able to square off in the championship of the 17 Gold Bracket. Here are some middle blockers to keep tabs on throughout the club season who were definitely some of the top players at the Big City Luau this weekend.
*These are all athletes I saw play live. I know there were plenty across multiple locations around the metro, but here are the top ones I saw live (I really need to figure out how to be multiple places at once).
Whittington with the kill at Big City Luau.Maddie Whittington – Kokoro 17-1 – Class of 2020
Committed to Illinois
Whittington is just a force across the net where she can play incredibly high and get to the pin to close the block. Not only is it the swings she is able to get touches on, but she causes the opposing hitters to alter their shot, causing a tip, an error, or a free ball for her team to get in system. Offensively she can hit the sharp angles and can power through the open spot from the middle or can terminate on the right side as well. She led her high school team, Stillwater High School, to a state semifinal appearance in Minnesota’s largest class.
Karina Leber – Wisconsin Juniors 17-1 – Class of 2020
Committed to Colorado State
Leber is 6’3, long, and extremely dynamic for Wisconsin Juniors, who finished second to Kokoro 17-1 in an intense championship match in 17 Gold. Leber works extremely well with setter Karlee Lois, the duo has been a force in the Badger Region. Leber has a variety of shots in her bag of tricks, but her strongest would be on the slide. On her approach it looks like a slam dunk where she can swing hard for the corner or power tip to the open spot. Leber and Whittington were not in the front row at the same time during their matchup, it was a matter of capitalizing while they were in.
Karlee Lois to Karina Leber for @WiJrs – ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/Oo0N0Gwb0H
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 26, 2019
Kiya Durant – Crossfire 16-1 – Class of 2021
The 6’0 middle blocker from Robbinsdale-Armstrong was one of the top players in the 16 Gold Division this past weekend. Strong, athletic, and extremely fast, she was a major gamechanger for Crossfire who finished second to Kokoro 16-1. Watching her during warm ups you could see the power which translated into the matches. Much like Whittington, it wasn’t necessarily the stuff blocks, but the shot altering which allowed Crossfire to get into system throughout the weekend.
Hannah Reichensperger – Minnesota North – Class of 2022
Reichensperger is playing up on the MN North 16-1 team that is full of dynamic athletes. The Freshman from Northeast Range is incredibly aggressive at the net. A high motor who is everywhere offensively and defensively she is not afraid to swing hard and get after a 50/50 ball. MN North is from the Duluth area and Reichensperger will be one to watch as she continues to compete this club season. MN North will be competing at the Prep Dig Gauntlet in Madison June 1 and 2.
Mya Lequia – Wisconsin Juniors 15-1 – Class of 2022
Wisconsin Juniors 15-1 prevented a MN Select sweep of the final four in the 15s and that was behind some solid defense and just clean volleyball. Lequia is going to be quite the player for Juniors out of the middle. Well trained and is just under six feet tall, Lequia was able to close on the pin, but also transition well to find the perfect spot to score in the deep corner.
Alexis Pew – Kandi Elite 17-1
Ellie Danielson – Kandi Elite 17-1
Class of 2020
Pew and Danielson are 1A and 1B for Kandi Elite 17-1’s, who went 6-1 on the weekend. Both of these Class of 2020 prospects are so athletic. They just glide to the pin with ease and have a strong arm to power through or around the block. Their ceiling is incredibly high and could even be dominant on the left or right pin. Put a star next to this team. They are going to be dangerous come qualifier time in March and April.
When your water bottle game is on point @kandielite pic.twitter.com/0msqt2DNkm
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 26, 2019
Lauren Thull – Vital 16-1 – Class of 2021
Thull is developing into quite a middle blocker prospect for Vital at 6’0 and arms that just keep on going with a high reach. Active on the net offensively and defensively she will be fun to see compete the rest of the club season and be poised for a breakout Junior season at Academy of Holy Angels.
Makena Hollman – Kokoro 17-1 – Class of 2020
The Osceola, Wisconsin native is the other middle for Kokoro, opposite of Whittington. Hollman may not be the powerful point scorer that Whittington brings to the court, but she doesn’t everything she needs to do for her team to be effective. She can find the open spot, makes herself available to attack, and closes the block. Kokoro has such power on the pins with Cianna Selbitschka and Emily Bannit that Hollman just needs to keep the defense honest and be highly efficient.
Nicole Post – Minnesota Volleyball Academy 16-1 – Class of 2021
At 6’3, Post has a reach and touch that is a gamechanger at the 16s level. MVA has a really scrappy and strong defensive team and Post really adds to that dimension with her ability to change and alter shots. With great court vision she can swing or tip for easy points. MVA was in the final four this past weekend at the Big City Luau and will be a competitive team this upcoming weekend in the Milwaukee JVA Jamboree with some of the top teams in Wisconsin and Michigan.