Freshman in Texas that have Burst onto the Scene
These young ladies may be new on the scene playing high school ball but the old adage that age is just a number is alive and well with these players. This young crop of 2023 players are some of the…
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Continue ReadingThese young ladies may be new on the scene playing high school ball but the old adage that age is just a number is alive and well with these players. This young crop of 2023 players are some of the best in the State of Texas as of now and will likely blossom into truly amazing players. College coaches should definitely have each of them on their list of players to watch.
Trinity Blackwood Trinity Blackwood 6'4" | MB Wylie | 2023 State TX [2023] 6-3 Middle (HS: Wylie/Club: Dallas Premier)
Big opposing force at the net. Her long arms stifle opposing attackers with a very strong block. Her stout frame is very noticeable on the court. She is definitely someone that opposing coaches have to game-plan around. She hits a very heavy ball with solid hand contact that scores almost every time she gets an opportunity. If her team is passing in-system, everyone knows she is going to get the set.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Nayeli Gonzalez Nayeli Gonzalez 6'2" | MB Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #35 Nation TX [2023] 6-1 Middle (HS: Cornerstone Christian/Club: Alamo)
She has an armswing that is almost unstoppable at the 15’s age group. She plays well beyond her years for an Alamo club that is playing against some of the best teams in the state. This kid definitely has Division 1 written all over her playing style. She drives her feet extremely hard toward her setter in order to gain momentum on her quick attack. Then she unleashes an attack that is quite a sight to be seen. Very rarely do you see her heels on the ground, which makes her approach so fast.
Krista Dooley Krista Dooley 6'3" | OH Plano East | 2023 State #94 Nation TX [2023] 6-3 Outside (HS: Plano East/Club: Dallas Skyline)
This young lady has a very high touch on her approach. She is able to hit over the block on either side of the pin. Krista plays for a very good Dallas Skyline team that plays against some of the best teams in the nation. She has a very high ceiling to grow and be a true force for years to come. College coaches are already keeping her on their list of recruits to watch. She is very athletic for her height.
Emily Simmons Emily Simmons 5'10" | OH Eaton | 2023 State #169 Nation TX [2023] 5-10 Outside (HS: Eaton/Club: Texas Advantage)
Watching this youngster play is a real joy. The footwork she shows transitioning to her touch point to attack is pure textbook. She loves to get wide and this helps her get some momentum for her hitting approach. Her coaches at TAV have really taught her a lot and it shows. She definitely goes up to swing with a planned attack. She reads the defense well with her eyes and scores at a high clip. As a coach at heart, I would love to show my players clips of her footwork when teaching how to play the position.
Mikayla Sampson [2023] 6-0 Middle (HS: Klein/Club: Wilowbrook)
194 kills as a freshman on the Varsity at Klein High School in the North Houston area has the college coaching world on notice. She is playing with the big girls and isn’t backing down one bit. Do not overpass anywhere near her zone because it will give you fits to slow it down let alone stop it. She excels at the fast paced shoot set in the “three” position at the net. She hits that seam very well and scores almost at will. As she gains muscle mass and grows completely into her frame over the next couple of years, she will definitely someone that should garner some NCAA interest.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – HJVSydney Jordan Sydney Jordan 6'3" | OH Ridge Point | 2023 State #44 Nation TX [2023] 6-3 Outside (HS: Ridgepoint/Club: Houston Juniors)
Six rotation outside hitter for a very talented Houston Juniors team that garnered a fifth place Open division finish at last years USAV Nationals is someone to watch. She is moving up the polls in the 2023 class and has college coaches keeping tabs. At a towering six foot three inches tall, she still hits the ball at a very high contact point which makes it very difficult to slow down. When crunch time comes, I would definitely call her number to get the set. It’s a guaranteed kill if an overpass comes in her zone. There are very few weaknesses in her game at this young age and its very nice to see someone of her size playing all the way around. This will translate into some beautiful playing for some college in the future.