Rankings Watch: 2022 Middles Among the Top 15

<p>Here are five of the top middle prospects in the class of 2022. These rising juniors all have a skills set that should make a significant impact for their respective high school teams during the 2020 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31595" first="Kendall" last="Minta"] - 6’3 | Eden Prairie | Prep Dig #4</strong><br /> As a blocker Minta is one of the best in this class. Her balanced and neutral preparation allows her an efficient first step to get to the attacker. She has great timing relative to the set tempo and location. However, her best attribute defensively is how effective and strong her hand position is across the tape. She can be a big threat offensively as well as she has good size and contact point in the air. She also shows ability to move the ball around based upon the block position in front of her. As her timing and offensive range improve, Minta will be an even bigger factor in this class in the coming years. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31574" first="Emma" last="Goerger"] - 6’3 | Wayzata | Prep Dig #8</strong><br /> Playing with the top MN Select 17s team has helped Goerger's game in a variety of ways. With consistently high levels of athleticism, training, and competition around her through her recent club experience, she began to adapt her game to make her more effective on both sides of the ball. Offensively, she is increasing effectiveness and efficiency to be more available in the middle. She has improved her transition awareness and continues to develop her spacing and range in attacking options. She is a big presence at the net and utilizes her tools well to fill space when blocking. Further developing the speed in her footwork and arm swing will help her stock continue to rise.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31576" first="Camryn" last="Greenwald"] - 6’1 | East Ridge | Prep Dig #10</strong><br /> Greenwald has some of the best versatility among this collection of athletes. She can terminate with authority from both the middle and right side whether off of one or two feet. She shows good momentum build and high arm and elbow position that allow her to contact the ball well at the peak of her lift. She looks natural and fluid in the middle and at opposite, which positions her well as a prospect that can provide good depth of skills. A Suburban East all-conference honorable mention selection in 2019, Greenwald should see an uptick in her offensive opportunities and point scoring given the departure of a key middle from a team that was so very close to getting to the state tournament. The depth they have have around the court in their passing and capable arms should see the Raptors among the top-ranked teams to start the 2019 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58844" first="Hannah" last="Reichensperger"] - 6’2 | Northeast Range | Prep Dig #11</strong><br /> Reichensperger has some of the biggest upside among the top 20 middles in this class. At 6'2, she elevates well with good quickness and hang time. She has a prominent double-arm lift that helps her stay on balance in the air. Through a good bow and arrow she creates natural torque that opens her to the ball and allows her to swing with good range and pace. She has developed a great foundation in her footwork to be able to approach in the middle with equal effectiveness from a variety of locations, which makes her difficult to track and pick up as a blocker. On the blocking side she has long arms that provide good extension and hand position as her elbows are well above the tape. Perhaps under the radar somewhat given she is outside of the metro area, she deserves a lot of attention and a steady stream of evaluation. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31570" first="Cara" last="Cyr"] - 6’0 | Maple Grove | Prep Dig #15</strong><br /> Cyr has some of the best work ethic as a middle as she plays with a lot of intent and mindfulness regarding what each touch of each play represents. She connects well with her eye work and prepares herself with good patience, which allows her to respond to point flow ready to make an impact. Over the course of the shortened club season she was showing a great relationship with her setter that included good spacing, tempo, and timing through a variety of attack options. She has point scoring capabilities in front and behind the setter that includes an aggressive and powerful arm. She balances her offense well with a good block move as she can apply good pressure to opposing hitters through both pins. The Maple Grove prospect has potential for a breakout season this coming fall and should continue to complement some of their pin offense well from the middle. </p>