Stock-Risers: Junior Class at Florida Top 250 Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior classmen were the most experienced athletes at today's expo. They have a wide variety of skills and court personalities. More than half of them were standout performers, meaning they caught the attention of a scout out of the entire group of athletes at the event and were impressive on the court. Let's look at them individually and see what stands out about them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732622,"width":"200px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/1-Morgan-Ansley-crop-4647x3051-1734234429.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-732622" style="width:200px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='519280' first='Morgan' last='Ansley'], a right-side hitter from Oakleaf High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='519280' first='Morgan' last='Ansley']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":336134,"width":"174px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Rayna-Joquin1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-336134" style="width:174px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='519290' first='Rayna' last='Joquin'], a middle blocker from Mandarin High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ansley is a 5'10" right-side hitter from Oakleaf High School. She received a ball and handled it perfectly to get it to her setter then smashed it down the center of the court like a pro. She is a talented athlete with the skills to perform well at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='519290' first='Rayna' last='Joquin']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joquin is a 5'10" middle blocker from Mandarin High School. This athlete looked good today at the expo, drawing some oohs and aahs along the way. She is strong and confident and a powerful hitter. She was great in the back row during serve/receive drills and then pounded them down at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732380,"width":"160px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/3-Christina-Torres-Castro.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-732380" style="width:160px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Christina Torres-Castro, DS/L from Osceola Fundamental HS, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Christina Torres-Castro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Torres-Castro is a 5'2" defensive specialist from Osceola Fundamental High School. Torres-Castro is an anticipatory player. She knows where to go and where she needs to be to cover her opponent's moves. She has a great platform and is equally as comfortable in serve/receive or under the bigs to cover the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732630,"width":"203px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/4-Maricelys-Rivera-crop-4647x3051-1734234983.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-732630" style="width:203px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='519276' first='Maricelys' last='Rivera'], a setter from University High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='519276' first='Maricelys' last='Rivera']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera is a 5'2" setter from University High School. She is fast and low and gets to the ball with ease. She has killer serves often finding the open court for an ace. She has soft hands and a high volleyball IQ. She can move the ball around amongst her hitters and she was integral to her side scoring on multiple occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732606,"width":"159px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/IMG_5646.jpeg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-732606" style="width:159px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shelby Toney, an outside hitter from Newsome High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shelby Toney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toney is a 6' outside hitter from Newsome High School. Toney has a great platform, strong moves, and smart plays. She looks good and has been super consistent so far at the event today. When blocked she goes right back at the ball and pretty much shoves it in her opponent's face. She was fun to watch and will surely play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732604,"width":"174px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/IMG_5644.jpeg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-732604" style="width:174px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='495853' first='Kaeden' last='Foxx'], an outside hitter from Crestview High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='495853' first='Kaeden' last='Foxx']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foxx is a 5'10" outside hitter from Crestview High School. I watched Foxx hit the ball through every defender on the opposite court at the expo today. She is an outstanding athlete with tons of speed, agility, and power behind her hitting. She hits too fast and too hard for the ball to easily be defended. She has great blocking and a high volleyball IQ. This is one to watch in the upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732384,"width":"174px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/8-Isabella-Rodriguez.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-732384" style="width:174px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='704284' first='Isabella' last='Rodriguez'], a DS/L from Saint Cloud HS, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='704284' first='Isabella' last='Rodriguez']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez is a 5'4" DS/L from Saint Cloud High School. Rodriguez has a great platform, and quick feet, and is consistent in every play on the court. She is a great server, has a great eye for ball placement, and is great at serve/receive. She takes speed off the ball and moves it to the setter accurately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->