Triple Crown NIT Top Performers Vol 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated tournaments at the beginning of each club season is the Triple Crown NIT because of all of the talent that is under one roof.  It was held in Kansas City, MO on February 17-19^th.  Three days of immensely competitive volleyball taking place with teams from all over the country.  Let's take a look at players who really turned my head with their play and earned a Top Performer award at the Triple Crown NIT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326514' first='Emma' last='Elsasser']&nbsp;[2026] 6-1 Middle (HS: Tompkins/Club: [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors']/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":482353,"width":"137px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/850-Emma-Elsasser-e1700704771788.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-482353" style="width:137px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma is currently an unranked prospect in the 2027 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but is on our official Watch List.  She plays volleyball for Tompkins High School and also plays club for the [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] volleyball program.  Miss Elsasser did such a great job being a solid performer for her squad all tournament long.  I like how she is the type of middle who can beast in the front row and also serve in the back row and play defense for some rallies without hurting her team's defense.  This is very key to save subs and it also helps her development as an all around volleyball player who can help a college team in many ways.  Her blocking technique is something to marvel at for sure.  I like how she times her swing blocking with the opponent's approach footwork.  This gets her arms pressed over the net right at the exact moment of contact from her opposing attacker. Emma really showed me that she is capable of being a state ranked player very soon.  Offensively she is a force in the middle that knows how to hit around a block to score efficiently for her squad.  Please help us congratulate her on being named a Top Performer at Triple Crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318200' first='Ava' last='Carrasquillo']&nbsp;[2026] 6-0 Setter (HS: Vandergrift/Club: Austin Performance/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":455309,"width":"140px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/943-Ava-Carrasquillo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-455309" style="width:140px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava is currently ranked as the 34^th best overall prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays for Vandergrift High School and also club for the Austin Performance program. &nbsp;We have profiled her a few times due to her exploits on the volleyball court and this tournament proved that she is getting better and better each time she steps onto the court.&nbsp; I watched some picture perfect technique as she dished the rock at a very fast pace to her pins.&nbsp; There is a backset that she rifles to the right side in which there is no way a middle can catch up and set a double block on.&nbsp; It is way too fast and deceptive when she is setting it from the middle or left side of the court against the flow of the pass.&nbsp; That set really opened a lot of spectators eyes like it did mine as it created a major one on one situation for her opposite attacker.&nbsp; Moves like this mixed in with her height and competitive nature make for one heck of a college recruit.&nbsp; She will make some college coach very happy if they offer her a spot.&nbsp; This young lady has Div 1 potential written all over.<strong>&nbsp; </strong>Please help us congratulate her on being a Top Performer at Triple Crown.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='253983' first='Audrey' last='St.Clair']&nbsp;[2026] 5-8 Libero (HS: Rockwall/Club: [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last='']/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259797,"width":"125px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/43-Audrey-st.Clair_.jpg?w=1019" alt="" class="wp-image-259797" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Audrey is currently ranked as the 67^th best overall prospect according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays at Rockwall High School and also for the newly formed [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] club volleyball program.&nbsp; I talk a lot about footwork in every position being important and players like Audrey are exactly why.&nbsp; She is a libero who is always ready to make a quick reaction to the ball and her amazing footwork is a big reason why.&nbsp; At the NIT, she was super impressive by staying on the balls of her feet and being so ready to use her fast-twitch muscles in order to pounce in a different direction due to deflections or miss-hits by the attacker.&nbsp; I think she has some of the fastest reaction time in her grad class when digging hard driven balls.&nbsp; Her technique with the dig also keeps the ball on her side, which is huge to help her team stay in the rally and have a fighting chance to win it.&nbsp; Liberos like Audrey are very rare and her leadership is something that a college coach is going to love if they give her a chance.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for the Triple Crown NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.com</a>.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following us, Prep Dig Family!&nbsp; Don't be afraid to interact with us.&nbsp; We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments.&nbsp; Keep them coming!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->