Aniyah Baker Aniyah Baker 6'2" | MB/OH Austin Johnson | 2027 TX , a Class of 2027 middle blocker from Austin Johnson High School and Austin Juniors Volleyball Club, has already answered the most important question in recruiting by committing to the University of Oklahoma, making her one of the marquee prospects on the entire Texas 2027 Watch List. She earned District Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman and was posting 19 to 24 kills per match with hitting percentages in the .395 to .413 range as a sophomore, numbers that reflect dominant offensive output rather than simply getting touches. At 6’2″ she brings an elite physical profile to the middle and right side and the combination of height, arm swing, and court feel she brings to the net is exactly what a Big 12 coaching staff evaluated and committed to early. She is not a player who only shows well on film in controlled settings and then disappears in real competition, she has produced against legitimate opponents at every level she has been tested and kept doing it. The Oklahoma commit has already validated every bit of this recognition and then some. Aniyah is simply one of the most accomplished middle blockers in Texas regardless of class. We are very proud to have her listed on our Official Watch List. 

A new face with the team this season, Baker will represent AJV 17 Adidas in the 17 Invitational Division. Extremely tall and athletic, she’s a handful for opponents, controlling the net and making a difference on both sides of the ball. Blocking is her calling card, as she can flat out shut opponents down at the net by getting very high up and aggressively getting her arms in the way of their swings – she’s been used on the right more often recently because of that too. Baker also has a potent offense and can be very difficult to stop when she gets going because of her impressive length and heavy hitting.

Baker will play for the Roots 16-1 Green team that is entered in the tournament’s 16 Open division. Expect her to be one of the most physical players in the entire event and her incredible athleticism is typically a great asset to her team at the net. Baker has long arms, gets off the floor very well and swings with a lot of power, being, at times, unstoppable for opposing blockers. Because of her length and mobility, she’s also an elite blocker, who gets stops and keeps opponents under pressure. She can play on the left and the right too, giving her coaches plenty of tactical flexibility and options on how to best use her.

Baker was one of the standouts in the Roots 16-1 Green team that finished 11th with two wins and three losses. She has the physical tools to make a difference at the net and managed to do it at some moments during the day. Baker is tall, has long arms, gets off the floor well and has great mobility. The middle had some good offensive plays, in which opponents had no answer to her. She also displayed some nice versatility, hitting and blocking in all three positions at the net.