2027 Watch List: Five Middles to See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480858' first='Queen' last='Beard']</strong><br>Beard is one of the most athletic middles in this Ohio class and with some of the best arm skills when attacking. She is quick, gets up well and can create good pace at the top of her lift when on time. The Lakota Raiders were 20-5 overall this recent high school season as Beard led their offense at 2.9 k/s on a .281 efficiency. Just shy of six-feet tall according to her club bio, she topped the stats defensively for Lakota as well with nearly two blocks per match. As a member of one of the best clubs in the region at Mintonette, it is certain that Beard's development will continue to help her expand her range and become even more fluid in her footwork and spacing. Make sure you get a look at her in the coming months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480797' first='Ahnna' last='Bergant']</strong><br>Bergant, at 6'0, was the only first-year prospect competing for Ohio's best high school team at Lake Catholic. The veteran depth of this team did not require her to put up big numbers but she held her own throughout the season as the Cougars won a second consecutive title and in dominant fashion going unbeaten. Bergant provide 1.5 k/s and two blocks per match. As part of a great high school program and a competitive club with Rock City, look for Bergant to provide some dominant moments in the middle in both phases of offense and defense and establish herself on the recruiting radar as part of this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258921' first='Lila' last='Carney']</strong><br>Carney is 6'2 with good potential. With a lot of room for growth she will be fun to watch develop as she is now among the high school age groups and a faster pace of play. She has good length to fill up space well at the net defensively. On the offensive side, as she develops more quickness as her career moves forward, she could become a big factor for her future teams. She shows a good arm work foundation when she attacks. Carney will compete with [program_tooltip program_id='431727' first='Southwest' last='VBC'] this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='253710' first='Summara' last='Keith']</strong><br>At 5'9, Keith was a reserve middle for her Archbishop Hoban team that finished 24-1 overall. One of her best traits is that she works hard and uses her athleticism and quickness to make herself available in the middle phase of the offense. She gets good lift at the end of her approach work to be able to challenge bigger athletes in front of her. Additionally, she can defend at the net as well as she had 35 total blocks during the club season playing a limited number of sets. She has a high ceiling and should be an impact athlete for her club squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480823' first='Lilly' last='Tierney']</strong><br>At 5'10, Tierney has continued to develop her movement and arm to be an effective middle which was highlighted by her first-year contributions for a McNicholas team that advanced to the DIII state title match in 2023. As part of a corps of young talent for the Rockets, Tierney proved her value on both sides of the ball. Finishing top-15 in offense in the GCL, she knows how to create space around her setter to be able to swing with range that led to a 1.2 k/s average this fall. Having seen her at the club level, she will be a big offensive spark for her team this season. On the defensive side, she was second overall in total blocks with 78. Look for her with NKYVC's top 15U team this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->