17/18 Open Middles Making Moves after Midwest National Tune-Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dog days of summer might be the perfect time to build some positive momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Events like last weekend's Midwest National Tune-Up serve an important purpose in the yearly club cycle. Teams often have a long post-spring break between the April qualifier gauntlet and the stretch run to Nationals. Getting back into the swing of things--literally--is an essential stepping stone for club volleyball's postseason contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were eager to fill that void in Des Moines. The Midwest National Tune-Up brought some hard-hitting offenses back into the summer spotlight, and I had the privilege of covering the event's 17/18 Open division. And, at the center of those terminal offenses, we had game-changing middle blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our all-17/18 Open team had some exceptional middles, but the fun doesn't have to stop there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555837"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b5f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanDerPol is the kind of middle blocker you want at the net in two-hitter rotations. The Iowa PowerPlex 17U Mendoza standout was among the most effective middles behind the setter at last weekend's event. She has a ton of range off of one foot and finds ways to tool off the block when the opportunity arises. VanDerPol also contributes through her relentless hustle in transition, giving 17U Mendoza a full array of setting options after a dig. Another podium finish on the Prep Dig Circuit has elevated VanDerPol's stock before her senior campaign at Des Moines Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533845"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b690"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Otte's biggest strength is her willingness to swing in any gap imaginable. Opposing teams have trouble tracking Otte when she's allowed to dictate her routes in first-ball situations. Her "back quick" is particularly lethal and has given Iowa Premier 16-1 some excellent variety in three-hitter lineups. Iowa City West took full advantage of Otte's snappy right arm last fall, yielding over 200 kills on a team-best 0.329 hitting clip. She has been similarly efficient on the club side and soared again during last weekend's championship run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Saylor Simmons","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Van Meter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b7b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons' balanced, well-rounded game is the perfect microcosm of RVA 17U K.Palea's successful operation. RVA leans on Simmons to anchor the team's blocking presence during her trip across the front row. The Van Meter senior delivers, but that's not the full extent of her frontcourt influence. She also connects well with RVA's setters in a 6-2 system and can adapt to different tempos and locations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753941"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b837"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This summer will be a compelling curtain call for Uhlenhopp, who will stay close to home at Waldorf University this fall. The Fearless 18U middle blocker proved her next-level readiness through our Midwest Tune-Up and was a sure bet to score in one-on-one situations. Defense was also a highlight of Uhlenhopp's game, as she closed blocks from pin to pin and churned out valuable touches for her backcourt. Her presence in Iowa's NAIA scene will be fascinating to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518577"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b8aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've been lucky to cover the year-over-year evolution of South Central NE 18 Black's star-studded lineups. Many different rural stars have made their mark with this crew, but 18 Black's high-level accomplishments have never waned. Vavra upheld this standard when she joined South Central NE and has established herself as a trend-setting middle blocker for the crew. She escalated her foothold in the 18 Black attack as South Central battled to a runner-up finish in Des Moines. This Ord native has done it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Madilyn Lucas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Ohana","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b983"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Midwest National Tune-Up was bound to add some names to our radar, and Lucas is one of those who added to our Iowa database. Ohana 17U National reached the final 17/18 Open bracket through its jaw-dropping physicality. Lucas was an essential part of the equation and readily exploited whatever hitting windows she was given. Of course, this dominant middle blocker also closed the window for attackers hoping to challenge Ohana's stingy frontcourt wall. Put a new name on your recruiting radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["546566"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1f000b9b9f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We opened with an Iowa PowerPlex middle blocker, so let's close out with another one who defended home turf. Molden has seen the upper echelon of Prep Dig events and took another step forward at the Midwest National Tune-Up. She showcased a snappy arm swing in front of the setter, elevating 16U Nelson's up-tempo onslaught. Molden combines this quickness with the length needed to square up with any attacker at the tape. That versatility will pay dividends during Molden's upperclassman tenure at Johnston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->