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Below are five athletes to watch from a NorCal school vs SoCal school match: Makena Roberts | ‘” | 2024 | L/DS | Westview High SchoolA libero or defensive specialist allowed 40% of court in serve receive, like Makena Roberts,…
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Continue ReadingBelow are five athletes to watch from a NorCal school vs SoCal school match:
Makena Roberts | ‘” | 2024 | L/DS | Westview High School
A libero or defensive specialist allowed 40% of court in serve receive, like Makena Roberts, stands to gain attention. The freedom of this space likely was earned. She reads a play well. Granted a serve does not have as much time involved as a transition attack but that might complement her reading skills even more. If her read is not spot on, Roberts also adjusts her body well to create an angle to target. She does not try to do too much and cheers a lot, jumping up and down, for her teammates.
Torrie Parker | 5’10” | 2024 | OH/OPP | Westview High School
Torrie Parker does something that every coach will say during a season. Stop on contact. Sounds easy and the reality of that challenge has a lot to do with her defensive positioning. Her excellent discipline to get where she should seems based on knowing percentages and tendencies. When the play allows, she dives in front to make a better play than her teammate could. Additionally, she uses her hands on an low pace ball over the net.
Isabelle Butler | 6’1″ | 2024 | MH | Westview High School
Whether moving a short or long distance, Isabelle Butler gets to the net quickly. Specifically, when she approaches, she is at the net ready to jump before the setter has the ball. The early entry is the beginning of Butler being able to have a big hitting window to set to. That is, however, a metaphorical storm window that is shut quickly. Specifically, she whips the ball to the floor and she hits mostly wrist away. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Additionally, she touches a height of the second white on the antenna.
Cleo Hardin
Cleo
Hardin
6'3" | RS
Menlo School | 2024
State
CA
| 6’3″ | 2024 | OH | Menlo School
A drawn out approach with long strides is something to look for when watching Cloe Hardin. Additionally, this extends into her armswing. When she loads up she will gather and round her arm around to reach high. This creates opportunities to hit many different angles on the court. She is alert and will even step in to attack a second contact on her side. Wait a little bit for Hardin to really torque on a ball when she hits cross court. Worth the wait. When blocking, she touches a height of the second white on the antenna.
Aaliyah Sanders | 5’8″ | 2024 | OH/OPP | Menlo School
Without a conversation, one will observe Aaliyah Sanders prefers an offspeed shot over the hard driven hit. She has great explosion off the ground and can hang in the air. This allows two things. A showtime hit to generate ouhhs or ahhhs and her ever population tips or rolls. Additionally, her explosiveness to the ball opens up the possibility for an approach of nearly 18 feet to an out of system set. Overall, she makes the smart swing many times and understands point scoring as a hitter.