Top 250 Expo Houston Session 2: Jr & Sr Outsides

<p>I have seen a lot of outsides at the expos this past month and this group is one of the most versatile hitters I have seen to date. They are very effective at scoring and using their heads to get the job done. Let's talk about each one to figure out what it is about them that makes them so good.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/117-Kristina-Cote.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-257309" style="width:159px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='246323' first='Kristina' last='Cote'], OH from Klein Collins HS, class of 2024.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='246323' first='Kristina' last='Cote']</h2>   <p>Cote is a 5'11" senior outside hitter from Klein Collins High School. Cote is an efficient hitter with a lot of power. She is a smart athlete and has a great approach. She is very accurate when hitting the ball cross-court or down the line. She is a very enthusiastic and hard-working athlete.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Naima LeBlanc</h2>   <p>LeBlanc is a 5'8" senior outside hitter from J. Frank Dobie High School. LeBlanc can play on the right side or the outside. She is effective in hitting through a block or off of it to get her points. She has a good vertical and a strong swing. She knows when to tip or when to try going through a block. She is smart at the net and aware of her opponents so she gives herself the best chance of scoring points. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486945' first='Kianna' last='Price']</h2>   <p>Price is a 5'6" senior outside hitter from Clear Brook High School. Boy, can this athlete jump! She has a great swing and a nice approach, and her ball placement is very smart. She was an effective player at the expo.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/IMG_2900-crop-2420x1589-1703056173.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-493239" style="width:266px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='486962' first='Raquel' last='Cortez'], OH from Mayde Creek HS, class of 2025.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486962' first='Raquel' last='Cortez']</h2>   <p>Cortez is a 5'11" junior outside hitter from Mayde Creek High School. Cortez can do it all. She can serve/receive, set, and block. She is such a powerful hitter and can beat the block on the other side of the net. She is smart in her placement of the ball and will also tool it off the block to get a point. One of my favorites from the expo.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='489632' first='Alanna' last='Davis']</h2>   <p>Davis is a 5'7" junior outside hitter from Foster High School. Davis has a great block. She has really strong hands and good form when blocking. She is quick-moving and has great reflexes. She is good at digging the ball up when out-of-system or hitting it over when least expected. She will sacrifice her body to avoid letting her opponents score. She is a powerful hitter. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Nayeli' last='Fernandez']</h2>   <p>Fernandez is a 5'4" junior outside hitter from Carrizo Springs. Fernandez has a great platform, quick feet, and quick reflexes. She can hit off a block and score points. She digs well at the net as well when a ball is blocked and comes down crazy, she can pop it up to the setter. Nice saves on the court.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486961' first='Noemi' last='Gonzalez']</h2>   <p>Gonzalez is a 5'5" junior outside hitter from Emmett J. Conrad High School. Gonzalez caught my attention for her defensive plays as well as her hitting ability. She can and will lay out for a ball and pancake it up to save the point. She has a good approach and is a good jumper. She tools off of the block well and can tip over a block. She hits the middle of the court or the back corners well. </p>

I have seen a lot of outsides at the expos this past month and this group is one of the most versatile hitters I have seen to date. They are very effective at scoring and using their heads to get the job done. Let's talk about each one to figure out what it is about them that makes them so good.