The Show Me Qualifier proved to be one of the best ones we’ve been at yet. vballrecruiter.com spent time throughout the three days watching and observing as many teams and players as we possibly could. Below are the middles who caught our attention the most.
15 OPEN
Natalie Wardlow, Nebraska One 15 Synergy – What tremendous potential this 6-4 middle carries in her future! She’s a four-star recruit and helped lift Nebraska One to the 15 Open crown. With her height she can hit over the block and score with ease.
Keira Schmidt, Northern Lights 15-1 – This lanky middle is 6-5 with lots of upside to her game. She can hit straight down and makes it tough on defenders to pick up her tough angles.
Reanna Lee, Boiler Jrs 15 Gold – A 5-10 middle, Lee is a three-star recruit. Though she’s not as tall as some other middles she faces, she is an efficient scorer with a nice swing to her.
Epifania Salamasina, Dynasty 15 Black – This 5-10 middle has some physicality to her. She gets up pretty well and is capable of bashing one down when the option is there.
Reese Dunkle, Circle City 15 Purple – At 6-2, Dunkle is a three-star recruit. She moves well and has a very fluid swing. She’s one to keep tabs on!
Ellen Zapp, Circle City 15 Purple – Zapp was playing well in KC. She’s 6-0 and can fill different spots for Circle City, including on the right or in the middle. She has a quick swing and isn’t afraid to go for it.
Tara Greenberry, HPSTL 15 Royal – This 6-2 middle can really drop the hammer when she gets a hold of one! She’s a physical presence in the middle who should continue to develop and grow.
Faith Venable, VCNebraska 15 Elite – Venable runs the slide smoothly. She has a nice swing and hits well on the move.
16 OPEN
Mia Tvrdy, Premier Nebraska 16 Gold – A 6-0 three-star recruit, Tvrdy has flashes of dominance! She’s athletic and jumps well. She can really get on top of the ball and crush it down with her strong arm.
Melae Lacy, Iowa Rockets 16 – This 5-10 middle could be a bit of a sleeper and a great get for someone down the road! She plays basketball as well and you can see it in the way she jumps and gets after it on the attack.
Reese Ptacek, Northern Lights 16-1 – Keep an eye on Ptacek! She’s 6-3 and touches 10-0. She runs a great slide.
Alexis Alexander, Pohaku 16-1 – This 6-1 middle is a three-star recruit. She gets off the ground well and is a physical hitter who Pohaku likes to run on the slide too.
Julia Hunt, NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami – Hunt is definitely one to know about! She’s a four-star recruit with plenty of upside. She’s 6-2 and touches 10-2 with a powerful arm.
17 OPEN
Eloise Brandewie, Mintonette Sports m.71 – Brandewie plays with a looseness about her but that’s not to be mistaken for the impact she makes. She’s the real deal! She’s a 6-3 five-star recruit committed to Ohio State and touches 10-2. She’s an effective scorer as Mintonette looks to go to her as much as possible. And she also makes her presence felt defensively with her blocking.
Calissa Minatee, Dynasty 17 Black – This 6-0 middle was awarded a golden ticket at the Under Armour Next Camp Series ahead of Show Me and will be part of the UA All-America game. She’s a five-star recruit committed to Minnesota and she is lighting quick with a dynamic jump who can impact the game with her attacking and blocking.
Jaya Johnson, PVA 17 Elite – PVA doesn’t have a lot of size outside of this 6-2 middle. It’s crucial they get her involved in the attack but it changes the dynamic of the offense. She’s committed to Creighton.
Kaitlyn Sellner, Northern Lights 17-1 – Sellner is one to follow. She remains uncommitted but is going to help some program immensely. She’s a handful in the middle. She moves well, is 6-1 and touches 10-2.
