Top Middle Blockers at the Michigan Freshman Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may only be the second year of Prep Dig putting on the preseason Freshman Showcase, but this was one for the books!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With nearly 40 incoming rookies at the UWM Sport Complex on Sunday, the incoming talent proved to be super exciting! With an entire class of Michigan kids on tap, this showcase provided the perfect stage for us to get a peak of what's coming down the pipe for the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On my side of the coverage, I am going to be taking a look at some of the best of the best that the showcase had to offer. Breaking it down, position by position, let's take a look at the middle blockers! Here were some of the best middles to come out of the Freshman Showcase!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='584595' first='Jamie' last='Smith']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>5'8 MB - Cass Tech/Legacy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player has some serious hops! While [player_tooltip player_id='584595' first='Jamie' last='Smith'] is only listed at 5'8 on paper, she jumps like she's 6'2! Her hops, combined with her fast-twitched nature is a recipe for disaster if you're across the net from her. This was the first that I got to see Smith in all of her glory. Needless to say, this is going to be a fascinating player to watch develop throughout the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>6'0 MB - Stoney Creek/Legacy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, this is the next shining star in this class. [player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] not only has some intense leaping abilities, but she has an intense swing to go along. Only a freshman, Sheldon moves so well along the net blocking, and off in transition swings. She showed some versatility throughout the day, swinging on the pins some. This is the kind of athlete that could potential do multiple positions for her high school team, Stoney Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='583927' first='Kailyn' last='Spolsky']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>5'11 MB - Orchard Lake St. Mary's/L2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='583927' first='Kailyn' last='Spolsky'] shows off a lot of potential in the middle. She has some nice size to her that allows her to take up a lot of space in the air as a blocker. Spolsky will definitely be one to keep an eye on throughout her high school years. As she begins to come into her own, I think this could be a major power player for both St. Mary's and L2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>6'1 MB - Marian/Michigan Elite</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":586539,"width":"279px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01585.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-586539" style="width:279px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of players coming into their own, [player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'] just oozes athleticism and potential. She has a considerable size advantage among her fellow blockers, and she has the vertical to take things even further. When Gibson can connect with the ball, it's a no brainer where the ball is going. Straight DOWN! Whether we're talking blocking or attacking. DOWN! As Gibson continues to grow, she may be the secret sauce Marian needs to make another run at a title this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586997' first='Addison' last='Frost']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>5'9 MB - Milford/L2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like her counterparts, when [player_tooltip player_id='586997' first='Addison' last='Frost'] can put all of the pieces together, she is rather deadly! A bit smaller for the middles, Frost has a natural ability to leap off of the ground. I see a lot of potential in this developing middle. Frost has the athleticism, the hops and swing to cause major issues. As she continues to grow, she will be a definite player to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->