Ohio Middles Ready for Impact at NIT

Ellis (*pictured) is another 2028 middle showing big gains her impact as a middle through different areas of the game. As an offensive threat, her early club effort has been highlighted by good range in what she brings in front of the setter and overhead off one foot. She identifies the dig or pass immediately and makes good adjustments based on the tempo of the play being initiated. Her athleticism gets her off the ground well where she is showing improved use of her arm for control and range through space and to challenge the block. The balance she creates in her blocking preparation leads to good support in defend the pins to close space and get up.     It has been so fun to see the gains that Parker has made and is showing in this early part of the club season. Her connection to point flow as a middle is creating advantages for her on both sides of the ball. As a blocker, she prepares well as soon as the ball crosses the net to get balance and lock her vision on the play development. She has good efficiency in her lateral pursuit while also loaded to get up and over when her middle counterpart swings. Offensively, she is developing more range in her arsenal, increasing their offensive set and options through her touch point.     Bollas is one of two primary middles for AVC's top 15U team. As she increases her tools and her competitive experience with the start of this challenging club schedule for this team, expect her impact to increase as well. She has the athleticism to be a contributor on both sides of the ball. She has good footwork around her setter to make herself available and open to swing. When she creates the right space, she can effectively swing through the edges of the court and opposing defense.     As Lanham is the future in the middle for state champ McNicholas, NIT will be a good measure of her skills in this role against the best teams in the country. She certainly has some tools to compete well and produce points on the offensive side as she can develop good timing through fast options to get up and on the ball well. Her ability to produce points will certainly benefit her NKYVC team's strength at the pins to free them up and create space. This team likes to push middles and find them in all situations, which requires court awareness and good adjustments to keep space and time, which Lanham is growing in her offensive work.     Armstrong is an active middle with good physicality in how she moves and competes at the net through her three rotations. Competing with a strong team comprised of Ohio and Kentucky athletes, she can make an impact on both sides of the ball. Her assertiveness on offense increases her command of the ball, which forces opposing middles to pay attention to her. When on time in the air, she can swing with range and good power. Defensively, her agility from pin to pin helps apply a lot of pressure to opposing hitters.