Vote: Who is the best middle blocker in volleyball in the Battle Creek area?
The B.O.B. is hitting the court.
The Best Of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is being expanded this year to include the top players on volleyball courts throughout the area.
Each week, throughout the fall, we are asking, "Who is the Best Of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in volleyball among the city/area high school teams.
MORE: List of the top outside hitters in volleyball in the Battle Creek area.
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It will be a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field to city and area teams, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.?
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Monday.
VOTE HERE: Who is the best Middle Blocker in high school volleyball in the area?
Or, scroll down to the bottom of the story for online poll
Next up are the Middle Blockers on the city/area volleyball teams.
Here are the nominations:
Maddie Hoelscher
School: St. Philip
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: Maddie Hoelscher was a senior leader in the rotation a year ago for St. Philip's state title team. She leads the team in kills this season and is coming off an all-league selection a year ago.
Katie Belmore
School: Lakeview
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: A four-year varsity player who earned all-league honors a year ago, Katie Belmore has been a steady force at the net and currently is top five in kills on the team and top four in blocks.
Maddie Parker
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: Maddie Parker has been a major part of the Harper Creek offense for three years. A four-year varsity player, she is a vocal leader who brings energy to the court. The senior is great at reading defenses and has a knack for getting blocks at the net.
Julia Hall
School: Pennfield
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: Described by her coach as a "wall at the net," Julia Hall is a key piece up front for Pennfield. Hall leads the team in kills and blocks and has also done her part on defense with digs.
Mackenzie Hale
School: Union City
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: A six-rotation player having a big senior year, Mackenzie Hale is capable of playing anywhere on the floor. As a middle blocker she is a good two-way player, showing good defense and hitting ability.
Natalie Frever
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: Natalie Frever is a three-year starter and a key piece of the state-ranked Marshall team that won a league title a year ago. The senior was all-conference and all-area in 2021 and is a team captain this year as the Redhawks' go-to hitter in pressure situations.
Jenna Morris
School: Lakeview
Class: Senior
Why she is on the list: A four-year varsity player who earned all-league honors a year ago, Jenna Morris has expanded her role on the team at the net and currently is top five in kills on the team and top four in blocks.
Bree Eklund
School: Gull Lake
Class: Junior
Why she is on the list: Showing great athleticism and timing at the net, Bree Eklund is a rising prospect for Gull Lake as she leads the team in kills and blocks as a junior.
Nia Love
School: Battle Creek Central
Class: Junior
Why she is on the list: A two-year starter, Nia Love is presence on the offense and defense for the Bearcats as she has completely committed to her duties as a middle blocker.
Kami Parlin
School: Athens
Class: Junior
Why she is on the list: A starter since she was a freshman, Kami Parlin is a key part of a state-ranked Athens squad, earning all-league and All-State honors. With a hitting efficiency of .204, Parlin is among the team leaders in kills with 150 and has 31 blocks.
Cassidy Pratley
School: Harper Creek
Class: Sophomore
Why she is on the list: Cassidy Pratley is one of the two outstanding middles on the Harper Creek team. As a sophomore, her big jump and speed help to make her a commanding presence in the front row. Pratley is in her second season on varsity and made all-league as a freshman and, according to her coach, is on the way to do more big things this season.
Aubree Calloway
School: Bronson
Class: Sophomore
Why she is on the list: All-league and all-state as a freshman, Aubree Calloway has taken the next step as a sophomore and is a tremendous hitter and blocker as a six-rotation player for Bronson.
Elliana Olds
School: Calhoun Christian
Class: Freshman
Why she is on the list: Already in her second year on the varsity as a freshman, Elliana Olds was an outside hitter for Calhoun Christian a year ago as an 8th-grader. Now a middle blocker, the multiple-sport standout has shown growth in her game throughout the offseason.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
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This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Vote: Who is best middle blocker in volleyball in Battle Creek area?
