Texas High School Spotlight – Rouse Raiders
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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. We will be highlighting a few teams that have a chance…
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Continue ReadingNow 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. We will be highlighting a few teams that have a chance to do something very special this year if it all works out. Today we bring our attention to the Rouse Raiders out of District 25-5A.
The Raiders are currently 27-8 overall and a perfect 5-0 in district so far on the young season. When you have one of the best setters in the entire nation, you always have a shot to win every match. 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. They are afraid of no one and have what it takes to go all the way. 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:
Kayla Lopez Kayla Lopez 5'7" | OH Rouse | 2023 State TX [2023] 5-7 Outside (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal: San Jose State)
Kayla is currently listed as the 174th best overall prospect according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings. She plays for Rouse High School and also for the nationally recognized Austin Juniors volleyball. We have written about her a few times this year. She is one of the most widely underrated attackers in the entire nation in my opinion. She deserves a lot more praise than she gets as she is overlooked because of her height. She plays well above the net due to probably the best vertical I have ever seen. The way she rises up off of the ground can take your breath away as it is super explosive. 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. The San Jose State commit is having another solid year for the Raiders as they look to continue their dominant ways in district.
Jadyn Wilgus Jadyn Wilgus 6'2" | MB Rouse | 2024 State TX [2024] 6-2 Middle (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal: Arizona State)
Jadyn is currently ranked as the 38th best overall prospect in the state in the 2024 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings. She plays at Rouse High School and for Austin Juniors Volleyball. Her body of work over the past couple of years has proven just how good she is as both a hitter and a blocker. She is currently second on the team in kills and first in total blocks. Her output is something that the Raiders are happy to have on their squad. The Arizona State commit is having one heck of a season so far. She will definitely help them on the defensive end come playoff time as she is considered a shut down middle. She gives them much needed physicality that makes teams have to scheme around her in order for them to stay competitive. 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.
Savannah Skopal Savannah Skopal 6'0" | S Rouse | 2024 State #39 Nation TX [2024] 6-0 Setter (HS: Rouse/Club: Austin Juniors/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Miss Skopal is currently ranked as the 6th best overall player and the top setter in the 2024 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings. She plays at Rouse HS and also club for Austin Juniors. She is highly touted by every major publication across the state and country. Every work that is written about her doesn’t even do her justice with how fundamentally sound her technique is. She can thread a needle from any location on the court with speed or height. Her work ethic in the setting position is unmatched and it is paying off dividends greatly. Her hitters know that she will deliver on time and she makes them look great. I love her hands and how easily the ball just comes out of them so smoothly. Volleyball enthusiasts will love to marvel at her technically sound footwork as she is always in the right spot and well-balanced at contact.
Other notable players for this awesome team are senior outside hitter Tabitha Allen Tabitha Allen 6'2" | OH Rouse | 2023 State TX who has been phenomenal at the net. She is more than capable of playing multiple positions at a very high level. Senior Karley Black Karley Black 5'10" | MB Rouse | 2023 State TX has been a staple for this squad and does so much for them all around the court. Junior Middle Naara Tanco Naara Tanco 6'1" | MB Rouse | 2024 TX has been a beast this year offensively and defensively. Super Sophomore libero Mary Schirpik Mary Schirpik 5'5" | DS/L Rouse | 2025 State TX steadies the ship in both serve receive and while digging. This team is solid and has been ranked extremely high since the polls came out in the preseason. A lot of experts pick them to go really far and battle for the title. 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. We will be watching them very closely as they finish up district play.
Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following Texas Family!