Back on the Block: Top Returning Middle Blockers
The state of Michigan is chock full of some of the best volleyball talent in the nation. Just in the past two months, three different club teams were crowned national champions and several others placing within the top ten. But…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Michigan is chock full of some of the best volleyball talent in the nation. Just in the past two months, three different club teams were crowned national champions and several others placing within the top ten.
But that was club, and now we are onto a whole new beast – high school season. And Prep Dig is going to be breaking down all of the top returners to the 2022 HS season. Starting off with the middle blockers!
Laurece Abraham Laurece Abraham 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2023 State #111 Nation MI (23) – 6’1 MB – Detroit Country Day
Country Day has been at no shortage of elite middle blockers in the last few years. Laurece Abraham Laurece Abraham 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2023 State #111 Nation MI comes in a long line and is destined for a big season. Committed to play her ball at Yale and coming off of a national championship with Legacy volleyball club, Abraham is one of the biggest threats in the middle.
Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI (24) – 6’3 MB – North Branch
Last season saw the grand return of the Broncos to the Kellogg Arena, a huge part of that team was the dynamo that is Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI . One of the deadliest blocks in the state, when she is there, there’s no getting around her. And with a full off-season training and improving her offense, Chingwa may be poised for a breakout season.
Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI (23) – 6’1 MB – South Christian
Talking breakout seasons, no one knows about that better than Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI this past club season. A national championship with FaR Out volleyball and AAU All-American honors? That’s her! Jumping a crazy 10’5, and growing, Arp can play leaps and bounds over the competition and will be a big player for South Christian this fall.
Mallory Bohl Mallory Bohl 6'3" | MB Saline | 2024 State #102 Nation MI (24) – 6’3 MB – Saline
She’s one of the top middles in the entire nation for the class of 2024 and she had a huge club season leading into this high school season. Look for Mallory Bohl Mallory Bohl 6'3" | MB Saline | 2024 State #102 Nation MI to not only lead the Hornets in her offense and blocking, but also as a leader. Bohl could take her squad to historic heights this coming season.
Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI (25) – 6’1 MB – Cass City
Bursting onto the scene upon debut, Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI was one of the hottest names in the freshman class last season. With a full season under her belt and already breaking records for the Red Hawks, you don’t want to come in contact with the Ignash slide. That very slide may lead her squad to a first ever final four berth this season.
Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI (24) – 6’1 MB/OH – Plymouth Christian
Now in Division 3, I would still count on Plymouth Christian to make a deep run in the tournament this season. A huge reason is because of this offensive utility in Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI . In her last two seasons for the Eagles, she’s played as a middle, but she can create some serious havoc on either pin.
Grace Wenaas Grace Wenaas 6'0" | MB Notre Dame Prep | 2023 State MI (23) – 6’0 MB – Notre Dame Prep
The perennial power that is the Fighting Irish are coming off of a state championship, but also a huge exodus of almost their entire lineup to graduation. Grace Wenaas is one of the few returners that showed huge promise last season. Her blocking is some of the toughest you’ll come across, but her offense is going to be relied on heavily this coming season.
Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI (24) – 6’0 MB – Forest Hills Northern
I predict we see Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI in the middle for the Huskies, but she is another player that could crush the competition on the pins. It’s Hopewell’s dynamic play and speed that puts her in the mix with some of the best. She is coming off of a great season with FaR Out volleyball and is a game-changer when called upon.
Neele’ge’ Sims Neele’ge’ Sims 6'1" | MB Corunna | 2023 State MI (23) – 6’1 MB – Corunna
This player will need to take on a lot of the workload this coming season, but no one more capable than Neele’ge’ Sims Neele’ge’ Sims 6'1" | MB Corunna | 2023 State MI . Another all-star coming off of an explosive club season, Sims continues to get better and better. Her junior campaign saw the middle take on six kills a set and I think she’s capable of continuing that efficiency.
Gabrielle Verberkmoes (23) – 6’1 MB – McBain
McBain made one historic run up to the Division 3 Final Four last season and they return one of the biggest contributors to that run, Gabrielle Verberkmoes. A killer arm in the middle and a substantial block, I can see McBain once again battling it out in Battle Creek behind Verberkmoes. And this time making it to the final?!