MLK January Classic Preview Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-2025 club season is now underway and there are a few big tournaments that teams will be competing in to try different lineups and see how their season will shape up.&nbsp; One huge tourney for the North Texas Region is the MLK January Classic, which will be held at quite a few volleyball facilities around the Dallas metroplex area.&nbsp; Let's take a look at some teams and players to watch this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='510733' first='Drive' last='Nation'] 16 Red</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seeded ninth overall in the tourney, [program_tooltip program_id='510733' first='Drive' last='Nation'] 16 Red has a few players that we definitely need to take a hard look at.&nbsp; This team is a dark horse to give everyone some trouble with the roster they have for this season.&nbsp; One of the main weapons that has really caught fire in college recruiting circles is [player_tooltip player_id='430133' first='Natalie' last='Norton'].&nbsp; The lengthy left side can really do it all on the court and is a big time six-rotation star.&nbsp; She is a match up nightmare for anyone that goes up against her since she has a full arsenal to score with.&nbsp; Joining her on this year's squad is [player_tooltip player_id='433640' first='Kaylie' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='506412' first='Toree' last='Rayford'].&nbsp; We have seen Toree up close and personal in our showcases and she is a load to handle on the offensive end.&nbsp; They have a shut down middle blocker in [player_tooltip player_id='433677' first='Keegan' last='Flowers'].&nbsp; This young lady is a very big weapon on both ends of the floor and everyone who watches her will see exactly what we see in her every single match.&nbsp; Libero [player_tooltip player_id='579861' first='Madelyn' last='Johnson'] is taller than most in her position and this helps her to touch balls well outside her defensive range.&nbsp; Geogria Ostransky, [player_tooltip player_id='537129' first='Laihla' last='Holley'], Marley Rogers, [player_tooltip player_id='359399' first='Kamryn' last='Mullican'] are names that we will be watching very closely for the remainder of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Skyline 16 Royal Whitney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad is seeded 2^nd overall in the tourney and for good reason.&nbsp; They have some weapons that can score at will.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534313' first='Grace' last='Pinegar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='433665' first='Ryan' last='Spencer'] can flat out fly and move the ball around to any location they want to when attacking.&nbsp; They are both ranked very high after watching what they did all of last season.&nbsp; This year they are bigger, stronger and have tons more experience as “go to” attackers.&nbsp; Setters [player_tooltip player_id='413355' first='Camryn' last='Penn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='411969' first='Hayden' last='Curtis'] are known for their pinpoint accuracy with every set location and love to speed up the attack also.&nbsp; The middles on this team can all move very fast laterally to both pins in order to seal the block.&nbsp; The three-headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='433635' first='Holland' last='Hutchins'], [player_tooltip player_id='433662' first='Parker' last='Horton'] and Olivia Burmeister can all block and hit well out of the middle and it will be hard to sit any one of them for very long.&nbsp; Libero [player_tooltip player_id='412438' first='Dakota' last='Huynh'] has ball magnets imbedded in her arms because she always seems to be involved in the play and touch the ball.&nbsp; Her defensive skills last year made us rank her as the top libero in her grad class for a reason.&nbsp; We think she is in for another breakout season with this talented squad.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534309' first='Lucy' last='Holmes'] on the opposite position can ball out and affect the game in a variety of ways.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 reposting on X or Instagram or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->