We spent three days covering 15-17 Open at the Salt Lake City Showdown. Yes, there was 18 Open too but we focused on the younger age groups because of the 18s qualifier coming in So Cal this past weekend. Below, we highlight some of the top middles we saw throughout the course of the weekend in Utah. The athletes featured are from what we witnessed with our own eyes and who we thought was performing well at the time we saw them playing.
15 OPEN
Isabella Ehrlich, Middle, Absolute 15 Black – It’s easy to see the potential Ehrlich holds. While the connection was shaky at times, Absolute certainly looks for Ehlrich when she’s in and she can put down when she connects. She also plays with a fiery energy, especially when she delivers a stuff at the net.
Amelia Robinson, Middle, Austin Skyline 15 Royal – Teams need to be aware of Robinsons when she’s up front as Austin Skyline will get her involved. They do like running the 3 set with her and for good reason as she’s effective scoring off of it.
Aniya Hall, Middle, Alamo 15 Premier – Hall can factor into the Alamo offense when the pass is there. She gets off the ground well and moves well which makes her a good option running the slide.
Kaelynn Sims, Middle, Skyline 15 Royal – Sims is another middle with good jumping ability. She also can line up and hit from the left which add a wrinkle in the attack.
Makena Rumple, Middle, Arizona Storm 15 Storm – Rumple adds some physicality in the middle for Storm. She’s also a capable blocker who can help slow down the opposing attack.
Olivia Wayne, Middle, Madfrog 15 Green – Madfrog can put up a big front row and Wayne is part of that equation. When in system Madfrog will look to get her going. She can also line up and attack from the left side.
16 OPEN
Lillian Croshaw, Middle, Madfrog 16 Green – Talk about a physical presence in the middle. That’s exactly what Croshaw adds to the lineup. Madfrog will get her involved offensively when in system and she can score on good sets, but her blocking can be a game-changer at times.
Ashley Duckworth, Middle, Vegas Aces 16 UA – Duckworth is a tireless worker and is a rare middle who plays all the way around. Vegas runs all kinds of sets to get her going and involved and she carries a strong swing and really can carry the offense at times.
Zoey Burgess, Middle, Club V 16 Ren Wayne – Plenty of top college coaches were watching Burgess do her thing. She’s a legit weapon on offense who can pound balls down and she moves really well in her 6-2 frame.
Thea Carter, Middle, Alamo 16 Premier – Another lanky middle in the division. Carter swings well and can really connect and score when the set is there.
Carly Butler, Middle, UPVBC 16 Open – Ultimate was in the mix on Day 2 but lost out on tiebreakers to finish third. The more Butler can be involved in the offense the better. She jumps and swings well.
Chelsea Sutton, Middle, OT 16 Will – At 6-3, Sutton definitely can hit down on the ball when she gets a whack at it. She changes the game when she’s in with both her attacking and blocking and she also serves fairly well.
Addisyn Pohl and Bria Carlisle, Middles, AZ Rev 16 Premier – AZ Rev has a good middle combo with Pohl (6-4) and Carlisle (6-2). Carlisle will get out on the slide and can be an effective option for Rev there. Pohl is a physical presence who can put up a big block in the middle.
Mackenzie Parsons, Middle, Coast 16-1 – When Coast’s ball control breaks down it loses the ability to get Parsons involved and the offense can bog down. She’s an efficient scorer when things are clicking and she’s getting set and can carry the offense when she’s up front.
17 OPEN
Farah Farooq, Middle, Asics Willowbrook 17 Gold – One thing we noticed about Farooq in the middle was her explosiveness. She can get up and hit straight down with booming success.
Hannah Whittingstall, Middle, Alamo 17 Premier – A 6-1 threat in the middle, Whittingstall delivers for Alamo on both ends. She runs a capable slide to help out on the offensive side. She’s also came through with some big blocks at times to contribute defensively.
Mia Lee and Taylor Harvey, Middles, Club V 17 Ren Reed – The middle duo for Club V bring some serious athleticism to the position in their own ways. Harvey, who is part of the 2025 class, is 6-2 and can touch 10-5. She’s lanky, gets up quick and can definitely put it down. Lee is listed at 6-0 but can touch 10-7 so she really soars and as a result can deliver some impressive kills at times.
GG Greenlee, Middle, AZ Rev 17 Premier – A Northern Arizona recruit and standing 6-3, Greenlee gives Rev a good offensive option in the middle when in passing well. She’s an effective scorer who takes hard cuts and is a threat on the slide.
Brooklyn Briscoe, Middle, Coast 17-1 – At 6-4, Briscoe adds a physical presence to Coast’s lineup. She’ll attack out of the middle or hit from the right side when she’s lined up there and is capable of putting down some powerful swings.
