Texas Team Spotlight – Vol 1
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We are one month and a half into the club season and we have seen a lot of volleyball already. Teams are solidifying their lineups to find the right mix to get into Qualifier season. Here are some teams and…
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Continue ReadingWe are one month and a half into the club season and we have seen a lot of volleyball already. Teams are solidifying their lineups to find the right mix to get into Qualifier season. Here are some teams and players who definitely are turning heads due to their play. This series will highlight some players who we have seen in person and we are adding to our list to watch this season.
Drive Nation 15 Red
This team has some players with some amazing athletic prowess. Their entire roster has elite talent. While I watched them play a couple of players definitely stood out to me. Coached by the Stanfields who have been around for quite a while in the volleyball world, this team has runs that could rival any team in this age group. Setter Pennie Sample has power for days in her upper body. She showed flashes of brilliance in the position. I liked how soft her hands were when she dished the rock. Outside hitter Navaeh Richardson was a joy to watch. She was one of their top offensive weapons in the match I watched. Her ability to pass serve and flare out to her touch point was very fluid and quick. Middle Kharley Smith is super powerful and runs a very aggressive approach to her setter. She drives into the ground well and this will help her stay in tempo for quicks. I also loved how strong her block was. Her press can be a nuisance to potential attackers. Right side Cara Marshall Cara Marshall 5'11" | RS Grace Prep Academy | 2027 State TX was phenomenal and they went to her often for a reason. She is electric and can score at a high clip. Outside Vanessa Mudro Vanessa Mudro 5'9" | OH Keller | 2027 TX was also a very great scoring option for this wonderful squad. I liked how she complimented the other attackers on this team. She gives a great target to spread the ball around the net well. I think this team will take some time to get acclimated to each other but they should be ready to compete at the Open level in a few tournaments. We will have more details on other players on their team soon. Stay tuned.
Austin Performance 15 Adidas
This squad has had a big makeover from their team last season but they have some players who made me stop by their court and take notice. I loved watching libero Jenna Tello play the position. I was introduced to her last season and although she is a 2028 prospect, she holds her own as she plays up with older players. In my opinion, she is the next great libero to come out of the central Texas area in her grad class. Her ability to fly around the court and create awesome angles with her platform are second to none. When it comes to ball control experts that you should be watching out for, put her name on your short list for sure. Outside hitter Alexa Sandoval played very well and was one of the strong attackers in the match I watched. Setter Bailey Whitten was doing a great job of tracking the pass to set to her hitters. I liked her footwork and thought she was working very hard on the court in every aspect of her position. Emily Varnell and Tilly Streeter performed at a high level at the net also. There is no doubt that the wonderful coaches and directors at AP will get this team ready to compete. Stay tuned for more soon.
As always 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 Michael@prepdig.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 us, Prep Dig Family! Don’t be afraid to interact with us. We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments. Keep them coming!