Emptying The Notebook: Summer League At Circle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use code KypDig2024 for $10 off of your registration to our Stock Up Showcase or our Freshman Showcase August 3!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They're baaaack! Finally, with GJNC's complete, we get to see some of the big hitters that didn't take a break between their club season and their high school prep over the summer. Their arrivals made play a bit more competitive, which is always a good thing, no matter what time of year. Here are three teams I saw that had a significant change in competitiveness from the last time I saw them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tri-West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of her commitment to Pitt, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221477' first='Isabelle' last='Masten']</strong> scored points left, right and center last night, and even threw in a tough topspin jump serve that has a bit of curveball on it. She'll be a tough out offensively, and since Pitt signed her as a DS (and considering her beach background), Izzy should be one of the primary passers for the rest of her career. She was joined by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='260995' first='Caroline' last='Ward'],</strong> our #1 recruit for the class of '27. Her athleticism is through the roof, already jumping past ten feet, and the ball just SOUNDS different coming off of her hand. Her length on the right side gives opposing outsides fits, and is aggressive on defense in the back row enough to be a six-rotation player in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linton-Stockton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This small school continues to do big things in the volleyball world, especially if your last name is Warrick. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226810' first='Ella' last='Warrick']</strong> will be the primary attacker in the fall, and is even stronger than the last time I saw her play a month ago. Although an "undersized" six-rotation outside, she's got a ton of length and maximizes her jump with that attack height of hers. A pleasant surprise I saw in the middle for L-S was <strong>Becca Robbins.</strong> I knew I had seen her before, and I was right for once---she's a state top five track and field athlete, specifically in the shot. Strong and broad-shouldered, Becca takes up space on the block, moves better than a lot of middles in this class of school, and will make a size difference against other similarly sized schools in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Western Boone</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I finally get to watch one of my favorite players in her swan song of a career in high school, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin'].</strong> Always positive and sneaky good, Miss Durbin is taking her talents early to Middle Tennessee State in January. After a solid run to 5th place in 17 Open with Circle City last week, Raegan is a primary-passing six-rotation outside that is more than capable of holding her own as a leader in any high school or club setting. She's a pleasure to watch---one of the few athletes last night that truly enjoys playing and enjoys the social aspect of "team". She'll be the top choice in the Stars' offense in the fall, and should do some serious damage in class 2A this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->