Massive Middles at the Illinois Top 250 Expo

<p>Middles are always vital to the success of any team. They need to be great both offensively and defensively. Each of the middles in this article is a freshman and already so incredibly tall it is difficult to believe they are still at a highly developmental age and will grow exponentially, both emotionally and physically in the next couple of years, so let's look at each of them and see what is great about them now.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/103-Emily-Drumm-crop-2654x1743-1735462841.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-737240" style="width:218px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='732199' first='Emily' last='Drumm'], a middle blocker from Fenwick HS, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732199' first='Emily' last='Drumm']</h2>   <p>Drumm is a 5'11" middle blocker from Fenwick High School's freshman class. Drumm likes to hit from the middle and does so with a vengeance. She has impeccable timing and seems to know what is needed early in a rally. She can close out a set with hard hits over the block in the middle. She is also handy at cleaning up messes left by her opponent's blocking. She digs well, has a great platform, and quick footwork to make the most of her time on the court.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/104-Madison-Finn-crop-2292x1505-1735462934.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-737242" style="width:237px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='734129' first='Madison' last='Finn'], a middle blocker from Mother McAuley HS, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='734129' first='Madison' last='Finn']</h2>   <p>Finn is a 6' freshman middle blocker from Mother McAuley High School. Finn is flexible and has a long and strong reach. She blocks with the correct angles so the ball falls in bounds. She is not intimidated by other middles even if they are bigger than her because she knows she can get up and block them with a good vertical and a strong hand. She is very fast getting up when she needs to and will not miss a block or opportunity for a kill. She is a high volleyball IQ athlete and uses her brain as well as her body to play the game. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/112-Molly-Huber-crop-2201x1445-1735463061.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-737244" style="width:236px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='735000' first='Molly' last='Huber'], a middle blocker from St. Viator HS, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='735000' first='Molly' last='Huber']</h2>   <p>Huber is a 5'10" middle blocker from Saint Viator High School's freshman class. Huber has a great reach and is a force to be reckoned with at the net. She blocked her opponent every single time they were set. Effectively and inbounds, she blocked like a much older player. I would be surprised if some of the upper-level schools were not already watching her to see the rest of her development throughout her high school career.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/116-Vivian-Lang-crop-2264x1487-1735462704.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-737239" style="width:239px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='546215' first='Vivian' last='Lang'], a middle hitter from Libertyville HS, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='546215' first='Vivian' last='Lang']</h2>   <p>Lang is a 6'2" freshman middle hitter from Libertyville High School. Oh my gosh, she is so good! Long arms, strong hands, athletic as the day is long. Blocking or hitting she was fantastic on the court. She can dig and set and play all out during a rally until the ball is on the ground. Fantastic middle hitter and if she is not already being watched I would be very surprised. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/128-Kara-Schubert-crop-1921x1261-1735462585.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-737238" style="width:248px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='546209' first='Kara' last='Schubert'], a middle blocker from Grant Community HS, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='546209' first='Kara' last='Schubert']</h2>   <p>Schubert is a 6'1" middle blocker from Grant Community High School's freshman class. Schubert and Lang were on the same court and it was like watching the best middles beating each other up during a scrimmage. Schubert is a great blocker and was on top of defending against her opponent on the court. She can put the ball down anywhere that she wants to at this level of play and looks fierce doing it. She has great hands and is very athletic.</p>

Middles are always vital to the success of any team. They need to be great both offensively and defensively. Each of the middles in this article is a freshman and already so incredibly tall it is difficult to believe they are still at a highly developmental age and will grow exponentially, both emotionally and physically in the next couple of years, so let's look at each of them and see what is great about them now.