High School Preview: Sierra Canyon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a five athletes to watch from Sierra Canyon:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389259' first='Mia' last='Stewart'] </strong></strong>| 6'0" | 2026 | OH | <br>A three rotation hitter, like [player_tooltip player_id='389259' first='Mia' last='Stewart'], that can hit an 11 and make even the most elementary fans of volleyball stop to watch. When she takes her approach, clear a runway because it will look the same almost every time. Most of her adjustments come at the beginning and top of her armswing. Specifically, she brings the arm through fast to drop a missile-like hit cross court. Or she lets a set travel just past her hitting shoulder and redirects the ball down the line. Additionally, Stewart is an agile athlete that makes plays look easy even without her feet under her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='160992' first='Maddie' last='Way']</strong> | 6'2" | 2024 | MB | <br>[player_tooltip player_id='160992' first='Maddie' last='Way'] is too powerful and too careful to go unrecognized for her game. At the most basic level, Way's game is placement. Specifically, she takes a great approach that gives just enough space to move the ball around anywhere close to about 20 feet from the net. Additionally, there is great power into the ball developed from her core as she swings. Her arm is up quick and she can glide in the air to push through and decide the speed of a quick set. She touches a height of the second red on the antenna and is great at pressing both arms back into the court when blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='359343' first='Danica' last='Rach']</strong> | 6'2" | 2024 | OH | <br>When an all around player like [player_tooltip player_id='359343' first='Danica' last='Rach'] steps on the court, expect long rallies. Her long strides make for a lot of momentum into the ball. This energy must go somewhere; often times when a defender finds her hit that returned dug up ball is going to go high in the air. Even when she tips or takes something off her swing, it is still forceful. The defensive mindset of Rach might be the most impressive part of her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161286' first='Sade' last='Ilawole']</strong> | 5'4" | 2024 | S | <br>Quick feet, strength, and control are three words to set up the imagination for the game of [player_tooltip player_id='161286' first='Sade' last='Ilawole']. To start, she jump float serves and finds herself awaiting on defense immediately. After that, her quick feet can move a lot without affecting her chance at digging a ball in space. Then, her disciplined footwork gets her to a spot. Finally, a split step before setting prepares her to deliver a controlled set. Ilawole has great potential to be an unreadable setter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='706310' first='Lauren' last='Lynch'] </strong>| 5'6" | 2025 | L/DS | <br>A back court rover like [player_tooltip player_id='706310' first='Lauren' last='Lynch'] can make a quiet gym turn loud. Specifically, with cheers and gasps. When the ball comes to her lap, she absorbs that hit as long as she can. Her tough, solid, almost amazingly rigid platform allows her to get great height on the dig. Additionally, she is excellent when digging within two - three feet of herself. Lynch can handle a hard hit attack and keeps the ball going in toward the court when diving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->