Block Party

When it comes to Region X this season, it’s certainly been a block party. There are 45 players that are currently averaging 1 Block/Set or higher in the nation with 10 of those being from Region X as of this week.

I thought it would be cool to highlight the players that are excelling in the skill that I loved when playing. The crushing kill is certainly glorious but there was nothing on the volleyball court better, in my opinion, than blocking straight down an attack. The following are my kindred spirits and I’m sending them all my love.

Paige Havel (St Thomas) 6’3” Senior Middle (1.43 Blocks/Set)

Paige transferred over last season while St Thomas was still a provisional DIII program. She averaged 1.61 Blocks/Set her first year, which would have led the nation by a large amount. I guess you can say that she’s having a down year blocking while only being second in the nation. In truth, teams have learned it’s best to find another path for the ball across the net at times.

Emily Ellis (Trinity) 5’9” Senior Middle (1.41 Blocks/Set)

This is her highest blocking total in her 5 years at Trinity by a good amount. Despite not reaching 6’, Emily has become not only one of our best blocks nationally, but also one of the most efficient hitters.

Maddie Fate (Trinity) 6’0” Junior Middle (1.36 Blocks/Set)

Maddie is really getting her first full run as a starter for a program that always has outstanding middles. She didn’t get a chance to play in last year’s NCAA Tournament so you know she’ll be driven to excel when it happens again in a couple of weeks.

Ella Jimenez (Whitworth) 6’1” Junior Middle (1.19 Blocks/Set)

Ella is a DII transfer playing her first season for Whitworth. When she’s not slamming her chin down on the court chasing balls, she’s blocking them above the net. Someone needs to tell her that diving is for the little ones. Great first season for Ella as she’s really an all-around talent.

Grace Fan (Pomona-Pitzer) 6’2” Senior Middle (1.13 Blocks/Set)

I’ve loved Grace from the start as she’s the only player from my high school that I’ve come across in our region since doing this. She’s averaged over 1 Block/Set in her previous two years and it appears that will continue for her senior year. Now, if the Sagehens can figure out how Trinity keeps all of their seniors for a 5^th year and do the same with Grace.

Ellie Mead (Linfield) 6’0” Senior Middle/Oppo (1.11 Blocks/Set)

Ellie has really improved her game this season and is a big reason for the success of her team. She’s improved across the board with her Blocks/Set increasing over 0.40/Set. Ellie was an NAIA transfer that still has a year of eligibility left.

Audrey Sawyer (CMS) 5’11” Sophomore Middle (1.08 Blocks/Set)

The AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year last season and the most efficient hitter in CMS history (until maybe this season). She’s actually hitting better this year although she’ll have to do something about teammate Brenna Bell who’s even doing better. (Bell was out last match so maybe she’s already handled the situation. Hmm.) Sawyer’s blocking has improved tremendously this season as she’s averaging almost a half a block more per set.

Kari Esseff (La Verne) 6’0” Senior Middle (1.05 Blocks/Set)

Kari is a community college transfer in her second season with La Verne. She is another player that has improved her blocking by about half a block per set. Kari has also improved her hitting efficiency a ton this year as she has helped her team secure a conference tournament spot.

Avery Allemann (Puget Sound) 6’0” Junior Middle (1.02 Blocks/Set)

Avery has been a three-year starter at Puget Sound and is another player that has seen a huge jump in her blocking statistics this year. Avery has anchored the middle of the court for the Loggers as they make a push for the NWC title.

Madison Weisinger (TLU) 6’0” Senior Middle (1.01 Blocks/Set)

A five-year starter that doesn’t attend Trinity. Go figure. Madison has averaged over a block/set her last three seasons and she’ll exceed 100 total blocks for the first time this year. Madison has greatly improved her hitting efficiency this season as TLU is having one of the best seasons in a long time.

I will end this with a quick shoutout to Kira Mortenson (Cal Lutheran) and Maia Cicero (Whittier) who just missed out on my cutoff.

Keep sitting on that hitting hand and penetrating the net everyone!