Texas High School Spotlight – Rouse Raiders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the high school season is well underway, we are starting our series of articles on those teams who have been lighting up the stat sheets and scoreboards.&nbsp; We will be highlighting a few teams that have a chance to do something very special this year if it all works out.&nbsp; Today we bring our attention to the Rouse Raiders out of District 25-5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders are currently 27-8 overall and a perfect 5-0 in district so far on the young season. &nbsp;When you have one of the best setters in the entire nation, you always have a shot to win every match.&nbsp; Their roster is stacked with division one college talent and they have been one of the teams to beat in 5A so far this year.&nbsp; They are afraid of no one and have what it takes to go all the way.&nbsp; We have written about some of these players before and here is a little from our recent articles about them if you need to remember who they are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195832' first='Kayla' last='Lopez']&nbsp;[2023] 5-7 Outside (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal: San Jose State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kayla is currently listed as the 174^th&nbsp;best overall prospect according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays for Rouse High School and also for the nationally recognized Austin Juniors volleyball.&nbsp; We have written about her a few times this year.&nbsp; She is one of the most widely underrated attackers in the entire nation in my opinion.&nbsp; She deserves a lot more praise than she gets as she is overlooked because of her height.&nbsp; She plays well above the net due to probably the best vertical I have ever seen.&nbsp; The way she rises up off of the ground can take your breath away as it is super explosive.&nbsp; Her height actually works in her favor because of the timing that it takes for opposing blockers to have in order to slow her down.&nbsp; The San Jose State commit is having another solid year for the Raiders as they look to continue their dominant ways in district.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177532' first='Jadyn' last='Wilgus']&nbsp;[2024] 6-2 Middle (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal:&nbsp;Arizona State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jadyn is currently ranked as the 38^th&nbsp;best overall prospect in the state in the 2024 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp;She plays at Rouse High School and for Austin Juniors Volleyball.&nbsp; Her body of work over the past couple of years has proven just how good she is as both a hitter and a blocker.&nbsp; She is currently second on the team in kills and first in total blocks.&nbsp; Her output is something that the Raiders are happy to have on their squad.&nbsp; The Arizona State commit is having one heck of a season so far.&nbsp; She will definitely help them on the defensive end come playoff time as she is considered a shut down middle.&nbsp; She gives them much needed physicality that makes teams have to scheme around her in order for them to stay competitive.&nbsp; She is fully capable of playing out of both the middle and right side which gives Rouse some amazing flexibility to match up against anyone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124128' first='Savannah' last='Skopal']&nbsp;&nbsp;[2024] 6-0 Setter (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miss Skopal is currently ranked as the 6^th&nbsp;best overall player and the top setter in the 2024 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays at Rouse HS and also club for Austin Juniors. &nbsp;She is highly touted by every major publication across the state and country.&nbsp; Every work that is written about her doesn't even do her justice with how fundamentally sound her technique is.&nbsp; She can thread a needle from any location on the court with speed or height.&nbsp; Her work ethic in the setting position is unmatched and it is paying off dividends greatly.&nbsp; Her hitters know that she will deliver on time and she makes them look great.&nbsp; I love her hands and how easily the ball just comes out of them so smoothly.&nbsp; Volleyball enthusiasts will love to marvel at her technically sound footwork as she is always in the right spot and well-balanced at contact.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other notable players for this awesome team are senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='176655' first='Tabitha' last='Allen'] who has been phenomenal at the net.&nbsp; She is more than capable of playing multiple positions at a very high level.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='87552' first='Karley' last='Black'] has been a staple for this squad and does so much for them all around the court.&nbsp; Junior Middle [player_tooltip player_id='239065' first='Naara' last='Tanco'] has been a beast this year offensively and defensively.&nbsp; Super Sophomore libero [player_tooltip player_id='179911' first='Mary' last='Schirpik'] steadies the ship in both serve receive and while digging.&nbsp; This team is solid and has been ranked extremely high since the polls came out in the preseason. &nbsp;A lot of experts pick them to go really far and battle for the title.&nbsp; They do have what it takes on paper and so far have been proving to be a very tough out for anyone they go up against.&nbsp; We will be watching them very closely as they finish up district play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:nov8vb@yahoo.com">nov8vb@yahoo.com</a>.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Texas Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->