Hot Upper Classmen DS/Ls at San Antonio Top 250 Expo Vol. 2

<p>Defensive specialists are amazing athletes who can turn a match that is on the line into a win by making great plays when it matters. It was amazing to watch the more experienced athletes at the event and see the amount of talent, skill, and maturity they can develop in such a short time in high school. Let's consider them individually and discuss what makes them special.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='722076' first='Cloe' last='Baltazar']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_5495.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-722368" style="width:158px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='722076' first='Cloe' last='Baltazar'], DS/L from Thomas Jefferson High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Baltazar is a 5'2" defensive specialist from Thomas Jefferson High School's class of 2026. Baltazar moves so quickly and athletically, slides down under the ball, and pops it up perfectly and consistently to the setter. She can set hitters and make back-row attacks too. Terrific athlete!</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_5497.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-722366" style="width:157px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='722093' first='Juliet' last='Trevino'], DS/L from McAllen High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='722093' first='Juliet' last='Trevino']</h2>   <p>Trevino is a 5'3" junior DS/L from Mcallen Memorial High School. Trevino has so much enthusiasm in her play that she was a joy to watch. She has a great platform, great multi-tasking ability, and a high volleyball IQ. She executed her skills perfectly and happily at the Expo. She can dive at the net to get a dig and keep the ball in play, she can drop a serve in front of the other court's back row, and she can hit really well. She was a lot of fun to watch.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ella Waldon</h2>   <p>Waldon is a 5'4" DS/L from Chapel Hill Mt. Pleasant High School's junior class. Waldon has great serves with the ball going so low over the net it looks like it might be a problem but then drops it down for an ace. She takes speed off of the ball in serve/recieve making it better for her setter to handle and work it better for the hitters. She can pancake the ball up to a playable moment and is in general in the right spot due to smart footwork and preparation. She is a smart athlete.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='722098' first='Karina' last='Perez-Garcia']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_5499_e55443.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-722365" style="width:156px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='722098' first='Karina' last='Perez-Garcia'], DS/L from Lyndon B. Johnson High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Perez-Garcia is a 5'1" junior defensive specialist from Lyndon B. Johnson High School. Perez-Garcia is great at handling out-of-system balls and getting things back in order. She can set her hitters if her setter takes the first ball, she can hit from the back row if needed, and she can take speed off of the ball in serve/receive before sending the ball on to her setter. She digs very well and is not afraid to sacrifice her body to get the job done. She can be a game-changer for her team.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_5505_6e3246.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-722667" style="width:160px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='722131' first='Rebecca' last='Jubela'], DS/L from Samuel Clemans High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='722131' first='Rebecca' last='Jubela']</h2>   <p>Jubela is a 5'8" DS/L from the class of 2026 at Samuel Clemens High School. Jubela is very consistent and has a great platform. She is always ready to move and get it straight to the setter. She has great dives and is very anticipatory in her play. She is the player that a coach needs to worry about the least on their court, and that is a high compliment. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='722068' first='Caitlyn' last='Cochran']</h2>   <p>Cochran is a 5'4" junior defensive specialist from Harlan High School. Cochran is small and fast. She has a great platform and is a smart athlete. She is efficient in her movements and will do whatever is needed to save or earn a point. She transitions from back-row to front-row coverage even in drills and with skills making her a valuable athlete in her coach's arsenal. She even blocked a ball while rotating around the court and was successful in whatever position she was put in while scrimmaging.</p>

Defensive specialists are amazing athletes who can turn a match that is on the line into a win by making great plays when it matters. It was amazing to watch the more experienced athletes at the event and see the amount of talent, skill, and maturity they can develop in such a short time in high school. Let's consider them individually and discuss what makes them special.