Top 5 Best Middle Blockers In Volleyball 2024

The position of middle blocker, which I played while representing Australia at the junior level, holds a special significance for me.

It seems that the position of middle blocker, despite its lack of glamour, is rather challenging to master on the court.

Ranked are 5 of the current top middle blockers, individuals who have gained immense respect for being among the best in their field.

Based on both historic/career performance and current achievements, this list has been compiled.

Using individual rankings and career awards, I utilized these criteria to aid in selecting this list.

Considering numerous other skilled individuals, the decision-making process for securing the fifth spot was far from simple!

Without prolonging the anticipation, here they are—the premier middle blockers on the planet!

Best Middle Blockers in Volleyball boast not just athleticism but exceptional technical skill, earning them their rightful place among the sport’s elite.

So let’s start!

5. Simone Anzani

Simone Anzani from Italy’s national team earned a spot on my list due to his remarkable performance in the 2020/21 season, securing numerous awards for best middle/blocker.

At 30 years old, standing at 204cm (6’8″) tall, he currently represents Lube Volley in Italy.

For a decade, Anzani has been a formidable presence in Italy, showcasing his growing prowess while playing for powerhouse clubs such as Lube, Modena, and Perugia—three of the world’s top teams.

While Anzani might not be considered one of the most athletic middles in the sport, boasting a relatively modest 350cm spike height, his exceptional consistency both offensively and as a blocker sets him apart.

During the 2020/21 season, Anzani’s team, Lube, emerged victorious in the Italian Superlega, earning him recognition with awards for best middle blocker and best blocker.

Following his triumph in the Italian Superlega, Simone continued his winning streak by securing the European Championships with the Italian national team in 2021.

Undoubtedly, he’s been on a remarkable streak lately, and I’m eagerly anticipating his performance for the remainder of 2023.

4. Srećko Lisinac

Hailing from Serbia, Srećko Lisinac is a middle blocker from a country renowned for producing some of the world’s top middles.

Given his exceptionally dominant ability to attack the ball, Lisinac could easily be recognized more as a middle hitter rather than solely a middle blocker.

With a staggering 370cm spike reach, Lisinac stands out as one of the game’s more athletic and explosive middles.

At 29 years old and towering at 205cm (6’9″) tall, Srećko currently represents Trentino in Italy.

Alongside his adeptness at hitting the pipe, Lisinac’s formidable jump serve stands out as one of his strong suits.

In 2019, Lisinac experienced a career highlight, securing the title of best middle after triumphing in the European Championships.

Following his success in the European Championships, Lisinac continued his winning streak by claiming the titles of best middle blocker and best blocker in the 2019/20 Italian Superlega.

In his most recent achievement, Lisinac was honored with the best middle blocker award at the 2021/22 Italian Cup.

Having married fellow Serbian middle blocker Stefana Veljković, it seems Srećko Lisinac has a true affinity for the world of middle blocking both on and off the court!

With such a strong pedigree in middle blocking from both parents, their child is destined to become an epic middle blocker one day!

3. Marko Podraščanin

On the flip side of the middle blocking spectrum, Lisinac hails Podraščanin, another Serbian athlete who stands as one of the most dominant blockers in today’s game.

At 34 years old and standing at 204cm (6’8″) tall, the Serb is a player for Trentino, sharing the court with Lisinac.

A veteran of the sport, Podraščanin boasts over 400 matches and has maintained a continuous presence in Italy for the past 15 years.

With a modest 346cm spike reach, Podraščanin falls into the category of ‘not so athletic’ middle blockers. However, his gameplay stands as a perfect testament to the fact that physicality isn’t the sole determinant of success.

Being a living testimony, Podraščanin affirms that towering height or a 380cm spike height, often associated with greatness, isn’t a necessity to become one of the game’s best.

In many ways, Lisinac, known for his powerful smacks landing straight into the 3-meter line, stands in stark contrast to Podraščanin, who opts to evade blockers by aiming deeper when spiking.

Both players excel offensively, yet Podraščanin earns a higher rank on my list primarily due to his superior blocking prowess.

With a solid 5-year lead over Lisinac, Podraščanin has maintained a longer-standing presence at the top of the sport.

The fascinating aspect lies in witnessing how two entirely different approaches to the middle blocker position can yield equally impressive and effective results.

Certainly, being matched up against either of these two Trentino middle blockers would be a daunting prospect for any opponent!

2. Lucas Saatkamp

Lucas Saatkamp, a member of the Brazilian national team, stands as one of the most accomplished middle blockers in the history of volleyball.

At 36 years old and towering at 209cm (6’10”) tall, he has dedicated his entire club volleyball career to Brazil, except for a brief stint playing for Modena in Italy.

Despite his towering height, Lucas is categorized among the ‘not so athletic’ due to his 340cm spike reach. However, he exemplifies how this metric often holds little significance in defining a player’s capabilities.

His remarkable efficiency in executing a vast array of plays from various court positions underscores, once more, that technical ability reigns supreme over athleticism in this position.

Within the Brazilian squad, boasting abundant talent in the middle blocker position, the Bruno/Saatkamp setter/middle combination has solidified itself as one of the most effective partnerships in volleyball history.

In the 2020/21 season, Saatkamp clinched two best middle blocker awards, affirming his continued dominance despite being the oldest athlete on this list.

1. Robertlandy Simón is one of The Best Middle Blockers In Volleyball

At the pinnacle of middle blockers stands Robertlandy Simón of Cuba, firmly established as one of the best in the sport.

In the realm of middle blockers, Robertlandy Simón stands as the equivalent of Wilfredo Leon among outside hitters—the undisputed greatest of all time (GOAT), particularly if we’re no longer considering Muserskiy in the middle position.

At 34 years old and standing tall at 208cm (6’10”), this superstar recently transitioned to playing for Volley Piacenza in Italy after concluding his tenure with Lube.

Renowned for his incredible power in both spiking and serving, Simón boasts a stack of awards that eclipses those of most players on this list, more than doubling their count.

Securing the title of best middle blocker at the Club World Championships for an astounding four consecutive years stands as a testament to his remarkable achievement, signaling that he still has plenty of time left in his career.

When considering physical attributes, Simón emerges as one of the tallest and heaviest middles in the contemporary game. According to certain sources, his reported 387cm spike reach is, quite literally, out of this world.

At present, Robertlandy holds the esteemed title of being the all-time top-ranked middle, and it appears he’s poised to maintain that status for an extended period.

Also Read: 4 Elementary Yet Efficient Volleyball Middle Blocker Drills [Guide 2024]

Best Middle Blocker In Women’s Volleyball 2024

Not to be overlooked, the assessment for the female middle blockers was notably simpler in comparison.

1. Thaisa Menezes

Throughout her impressive 22-year career, Menezes has predominantly played in Brazil, except for a single season in Istanbul. Her dominance in the Brazilian league has been a defining feature for much of her tenure.

At 34 years old and standing 196cm (6’5″) tall, she currently represents Itambé Minas in Brazil, showcasing her talent in the domestic league.

Her accolades possibly surpass those of any other middle blocker in the sport’s history, establishing her as a record-breaking recipient of numerous awards.

She shows no signs of slowing down, having garnered an additional seven awards since the start of 2021, further cementing her legacy in the sport.

Much like Saatkamp, Menezes isn’t characterized as a remarkably athletic high flyer, possessing only a 320cm spike reach. However, her technical prowess stands unrivaled, setting her apart in the field.

A noteworthy mention goes to Eda Erdem Dündar from Turkey, who secured a very close second place in this ranking.