Skyline Classic #12 – Middle Blockers
The tail end of the club volleyball season represents an interesting scouting opportunity for us at Prep Dig. While most of the top teams and prospects avoid competing every week and set their eyes on the big prize – the…
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Continue ReadingThe tail end of the club volleyball season represents an interesting scouting opportunity for us at Prep Dig. While most of the top teams and prospects avoid competing every week and set their eyes on the big prize – the National Championship -, the others are still out there, trying to make the most of every opportunity they have to be on the court.
The few tournaments that are still taking place bring a unique opportunity for us to watch players we otherwise wouldn’t if the big dogs were still around and do our best to make the most out of it and give the emerging talents the exposure they deserve.
This past weekend I was at the Skyline Classic #12, a nine-team tournament reuniting 16s teams from the Houston area at the popular Houston Skyline Juniors club. I’m sharing my findings during the week and today we’ll give a good look at the most promising middle blockers.
Brenna Casler – Catalyst 16 Emerald – HS: Fort Bend Kempner – 2024
Brenna Casler is listed at 5’9”, but her long arms make her look taller than that. The Catalyst 16 Emerald middle blocker is very active at the net and has proved to be a very good blocker, combining length, good movement, timing and jumping ability. She can be a reliable offensive weapon too when she gets in rhythm. Casler had a productive sophomore high school season as Fort Bend Kempner, tallying 103 kills and 51 blocks.
Emily Belue – Allegiance 16 Royal – 2024
Easily one of the most physically imposing middle blockers in the tournament, Emily Belue added some important size and length to her Allegiance 16 Royal team at the net. Belue, who stands at 5’11”, moves well at the net and does a good job in reading plays, which made of her very effective when dealing with overpasses. Her physical tools are real assets and it feels like her game could still develop a lot in the coming years.
Penelope Cardenas – Asics Willowbrook 16 Black – HS: Klein – 2024
Penelope Cardenas was gifted with good size and long arms, tools she uses to make a positive impact on her Asics Willowbrook 16 Black team at the net. She’s very mobile and does a great job in closing up the space next to the pin player when blocking. Cardenas also showed very good reading and instincts at the net, quickly reacting to deny some setter dumps and tips.
Atianna Davila – TAV Houston 15 Blue – 2025
Granted she was playing against older and more developed opponents, Atianna Davila left a very good impression in the tournament. It’s easy to see her potential when she’s on the court as Davila combines very good length with excellent mobility. She’s a solid blocker and is still developing her offensive game, but is already capable of consistently scoring because of her excellent reach.
Carolina Vega – Asics Willowbrook 16 White – 2024
Carolina Vega’s excellent timing and her long arms made of her one of the best blockers in the event as opposing hitters had trouble every time the Asics Willowbrook 16 White middle blocker was standing across the net. Offensively, Vega proved to be a viable option with her reach and power, but she could become even more important in that area by expanding her repertoire.