Middle Blocker Trio Redefining the 2028 Class

Megan Hodges| 2028| MB| San Juan Hills High School| Nebraska 

Hodges leads the group at 6-foot-5, a 124-inch block and a 128-inch approach touch. The combination of an elite height paired with an approach touch at that height means she is a quick-tempo weapon in transition. That is a trait that separates middles who anchor a defense from middles who anchor an entire offense. 

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Shayla Rautenberg| 2028| MB| Milford High School| Nebraska 

Rautenberg is not far behind in height sitting at 6-foot-3. She reaches a 120-inch block touch and a 127-approach touch, nearly matching Hodges' offensive reach despite giving up two inches in height. The gap between the two players shrinks almost entirely on approach touch which says quite a lot about their footwork and timing. Simply parts of a middle's game that doesn't show up until you watch closely. 

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Maija Mortensen| 2028| MB| Corner Canyon High School| Texas A&M 

Mortensen completes this trio at 6-foot-4, a 120-inch block touch and a 123-approach touch. She has helped put Utah's club scene on the national radar in a position group that is usually dominated by bigger recruiting states. 

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Why This Group Matters

Three different states, three different club systems, three statistically similar profiles. This reflects the broader shift in how middles are being trained nationally: less of "the tall kid who can jump," and more complete offensive weapons that anchor the block. Class of 2028 programs have a large pool of middles to choose from which also raises the bar for every prospect in the position.