Top 250 Expo Iowa: Junior and Senior Middles

<p>Today's attendance at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo in Grimes, Iowa was like a who's who in Iowa High School volleyball. I have seen many of these players since they were freshmen and watched them grow and develop through their high school careers. There is a lot of talent here! Let's talk about the individuals who I thought were the top middle and right-side hitters from the junior and senior classes.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='257715' first='Najolie' last='Price']</h2>   <p>Price is a 6'1" middle hitter from Algona High School's senior class. Price has a great reach. She is a super smart athlete and knows where to hit the ball on her opponent's court. She is athletic, an excellent hitter, and a good blocker. She has a ton of potential for impact at the next level. She can make something beautiful out of something not meant to be. Very impactful player!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sydney Blackmore</h2>   <p>Blackmore is a 5'10" junior and a middle hitter from Ridge View High School. Blackmore jumps well and blocks with force. She can hit to either side of the middle and it is fast and directed to the floor. She played on the outside today as well as the middle and could hit off the block or deep into the corners. She swings through on her hits giving her the best chance for success. She has a good platform and can dig and serve well.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/137A1731.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-476633" style="width:202px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Indianola's [player_tooltip player_id='215468' first='Makenzie' last='Sloan'] attacks at the state tournament. (Rob Howe/PD) </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='215468' first='Makenzie' last='Sloan']</h2>   <p>Sloan is a 5'11" middle hitter from Indianola High School's junior class. Sloan was hard to miss at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo in Iowa today. She has a great vertical along with a perfect swing. She is truly imposing at the net. She can get the hit down even with a not-perfect set or through a block. She has nice power and strength which makes her a great hitter. She is a great blocker and can dig and set too. I loved watching her today, she was very impressive. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emmory Toppenberg</h2>   <p>Toppenberg is a 6' middle hitter from Norwalk High School's junior class. Toppenberg is a big, powerful hitter that packs quite a punch at the net. It is like hitting a brick wall when she blocks and getting hit by a train when she hits. She has a great platform and looks good in the back row as well. She serves missiles and is an all-around threat on the court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='462729' first='Jadyn' last='Van Horn']</h2>   <p>Van Horn is a 5'8" middle hitter from Charles City High School's junior class. Van Horn is a middle hitter with great jumping abilities and is always on the move. Van Horn has a great vertical and a great block. She has a long reach and can hit a ball anywhere on a court and is very smart about how she plays. She utilizes all of her skills to work at the net and as long as she is blocking she is getting her team points.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/137A1413.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-476629" style="width:202px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='447490' first='Carlee' last='Webber'] hits at the state tournament. (Rob Howe/PD) </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='447490' first='Carlee' last='Webber']</h2>   <p>Webber is a 5'11" junior middle hitter from Marion High School. Webber is a very dynamic athlete. She is problematic for her opponents at the net, she was in her latest high school season, she was at the state tournament, and she was today at the expo as well. She is fun to watch with her high twitch responses and her ability to win a joust at the net. She has good reach, strong hands, and can hit at ridiculous angels. She is such an impressive athlete to watch dominate at the net.</p>

Today's attendance at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo in Grimes, Iowa was like a who's who in Iowa High School volleyball. I have seen many of these players since they were freshmen and watched them grow and develop through their high school careers. There is a lot of talent here! Let's talk about the individuals who I thought were the top middle and right-side hitters from the junior and senior classes.