Iowa 2024 Feature Series: Monster Middle Blockers

Austin Kingsley May 16, 2022 @ 11:47 AM

One more position left to cover, and this should be a good one. Throughout this 2024 feature series, we've had a chance to reflect on some Iowa talent that has made noise throughout this year's club season. It was hard not to take note of teams from the Hawkeye State, with many players on this series going head-to-head with the country's top teams at national qualifiers. So, if anything, these features are a way to give props for the way Iowa has performed this year. It's been a treat to watch. Now, let's finish this thing out. We've got pin hitters, setters, and defensive specialists taken care of. Of course, that leaves one position left to talk about, and we'll have some big names here. Here are some middle blockers who have stolen the spotlight in Iowa's Class of 2024.   Menaces in the Middle There are some Iowa middles who just know how to take over matches. I got to see this often as I hopped around national qualifiers here in the Midwest, and that was part of the inspiration for starting this series. We're starting this discussion with [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 16R because this is a team that lives vicariously through its middle attack. [player_tooltip player_id="168155" first="Bliss" last="Beck"] provides a big presence at the net and became a shutdown blocker in many of the matches I watched this year. Opposing teams have also struggled to slow down Beck's attacks, as she is comfortable with hitting in a variety of gaps and can also terminate behind the setter. Likewise, Melae' Lacy has also produced some highlight moments in 16R's middle position. Her lateral quickness produces positive block touchers that give her team scoring opportunities, and that has helped lift Rockets to a 16 USA bid in Indianapolis.   Six Pack 16 is another team that has thrived on the big stage, and it too has not been afraid to lean on the middles. [player_tooltip player_id="168174" first="Jessica" last="Gergen"] has been particularly impressive in this year's national qualifier gauntlet and uses her physicality to match up with any team across the net. Better yet, Six Pack can boast a three-headed monster at the middle blocker position with [player_tooltip player_id="168159" first="Marissa" last="Cahoy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="168175" first="Kinsey" last="Mohwinkle"] also making major contributions this year. I'd trust any of these players to fill in at opposite, too. [caption id="attachment_195660" align="alignright" width="400"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8279-crop-3319x2179-1652590572.jpg"><img class="wp-image-195660" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8279-crop-3319x2179-1652590572-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /></a> Jacobsen (7) puts up the block for Nebraska Elite.[/caption]   Because Prep Dig state affiliation is determined by high school location, I have the license to talk about an Underwood standout that crosses over to Nebraska for club ball. I guess it helps that Nebraska is also my backyard. Anyways, this feature wouldn't be complete without [player_tooltip player_id="168167" first="Alizabeth" last="Jacobsen"], a Nebraska Elite product who has been absolutely tearing it up this year. She has a unique role as a middle blocker who often shifts to the outside to get a sideout swing on the left pin. It's indicative of how much Elite trusts Jacobsen to produce clutch swings from anywhere in the frontcourt.   Over at Iowa PowerPlex, Kamryn Vogt and Chloee Hayes have been anchoring the middle during 16U Black's successful 2022 season. They both work so hard in transition to be available in an offense that is never afraid to feed the middles. This team also has plenty of other multi-talented athletes that can shift from middle to opposite, so it's always fun to see what you're going to get from 16U Black.   Lastly, I want to mention the duo of Chloe Baez and Brylee Seaman for Iowa Select 16 Mizuno. This is another team that is not afraid to mix it up at middle blocker, but Baez and Seaman have been consistent assets at that position throughout the season. Whenever this team gets a good pass, look for these two to get a chance to terminate in front of the setter.