When I posted my list of the Top 10 Returning Outside Hitters, I opened by observing that the 2024 NCAA volleyball season felt like a farewell party for the many players who opted to use the extra year of eligibility granted as a result of the pandemic. While this still rings true to me, the number of all-star middle blockers that graduated last year feels like a lesser number than their outside hitter counterparts. Despite departures like Raven Colvin, Khori Louis, CC Crawford, and Sophie Fischer, there remains an impressive selection of middle blockers in the NCAA.

So impressive, actually, that putting together this list was exceptionally difficult. While I tend to weigh blocking stats higher than offensive output for blockers (since middles can’t attack if their backrow isn’t passing well—something that’s out of their control), the offense of some of the middles in the NCAA right now is just too good to overlook. So for this list, I focused more on who I believe to be the most exciting players rather than those who are purely the best from a statistical perspective.

With all that said, here is my list of the top 10 returning middle blockers, presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Brooke Bultema, Kentucky

As a redshirt freshman, Brooke Bultema registered an impressive 2.07 kills per set over the course of the 2024 season. While her blocking numbers (.99 per set) do leave something to be desired, her ability to read the game should grow with her experience. And while the fiery energy she brings to the court doesn’t show up on the stats sheet, it’s something that undeniably boosts her team’s morale.

Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Texas A&M

If there’s a year for Texas A&M to prove itself, this is the one. Not only does the SEC team return its entire starting lineup, but it has two absolute superstars—opposite Logan Lednicky and middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla. Last year, Cos-Okpalla registered 2.07 kills per set and 1.46 blocks per set, making her among the best in both categories. Her readiness in transition is one reason why she posted double-digit kills in seven matches, and her court vision and awareness helped the Aggies nearly upset Wisconsin in the third round of the 2024 tournament with 10 blocks.

Cara Cresse, Louisville

For the past several seasons, Louisville has been known as a blocking powerhouse, and no one on its roster currently embodies that more than Cara Cresse. At 6’6”, Cresse is a player who excels both offensively and defensively. Of returning middle blockers from the Power 4 conferences, Cresse leads the pack with her 1.5 blocks per set last year. Assuming that Louisville runs a 5-1 offense this year with Nayelis Cabello at the helm, Cresse’s offensive numbers (1.63 kills per set) will only go up, as she’ll be an option on the slide more frequently.

Andi Jackson, Nebraska

In the vein of former Husker Lauren Stivrins, rising junior Andi Jackson is an absolutely explosive slide hitter who seems poised to leave a mark on the historic program. With a whopping 2.62 kills per set last season, Jackson leads all returning middle blockers in Power 4 conferences. Her hitting efficiency of .439 is especially impressive considering the number of swings she takes, and the creativity of the program under new coach Dani Busboom Kelly means that Jackson may even become a threat from the backrow. 

Bre Kelley, Pitt

What more could you ask for in a middle blocker than Bre Kelley? Not only did she essentially tie with Cresse for blocks per set (1.49) last year, but she also led the country in hitting efficiency with a phenomenal .497. Though Pitt has incurred losses in the setting, libero, and outside position, Kelley and the team are still poised to have a great year. Other teams should beware the block of Kelley combined with Olivia Babcock, who herself is one of the best blocking pin attackers in the country.

Brielle Kemavor, BYU

Though BYU’s season ended earlier than the team would have liked, with a shocking first-round loss to Loyola Chicago in the 2024 tournament, the team showed bright spots throughout its up-and-down season. Among those bright spots is Brielle Kemavor, who recorded three double-doubles (kills/blocks) and double-digit kills in eight matches over the course of the season. With 2.01 kills per set and 1.47 blocks per set, Kemavor is one of the most well-rounded blockers returning to the NCAA in 2025.

Zuzanna Kulig, Michigan State

Despite Michigan State’s lackluster 2024 season, Polish blocker Zuzanna Kulig stood out as a key player among the struggling Spartans. With 1.43 blocks per set last year, Kulig is one of the leading returning blockers coming into the 2025 season. Though her team’s passing limited her offensive potential and she ended the season with 1.3 kills per set, she made the most of the opportunities she did get, hitting a very respectable .348.

Reese Ptacek, Kansas

After earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Reese Ptacek is back for her sophomore season under new head coach Matt Ulmer (previously at Oregon). While there are other middle blockers who are better on paper than Ptacek, she is promising enough for me to put on this list. In her freshman season, she averaged 1.74 kills per set and 1.29 blocks per set. Most notable was her performance against Cincinnati, in which she registered 13 kills in just 3 sets, hitting .857.

Marianna Singletary, UCLA (previously Texas)

This past off-season was relentless in its transfer surprises, and Marianna Singletary’s transfer portal entry in the spring was one such example. After three years at Texas, during which the team earned two national championships, Singletary decided to take her 1.38 blocks per set to a promising UCLA squad. Even as Texas struggled at times during the 2024 season, Singletary was a steady presence in the middle, averaging 1.95 kills per set and posting double digit kills in five matches.

Kaya Weaver, UTEP

UTEP made history last year with its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, and junior Kaya Weaver played a key role in making that possible. The AVCA All-American Honorable Mention (only the fourth in UTEP’s history) hit .442 on the season and averaged a spectacular 2.43 kills per set while also maintaining an average blocks per set of 1.31. While UTEP ultimately exited in the first round, she and the Miners gave eighth-seeded Oklahoma just about all they could handle, forcing the Sooners to reverse sweep them in order to progress in the tournament.