Sunshine Classic Week 1 Showcase Top Performers Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are super excited partner up with USA Volleyball and to run our Sunshine Classic Pre-Tourney Showcase in conjunction with the Sunshine Classic National Qualifier in Orlando, FL on February 21^st and February 27^th.  It is being held at the [program_tooltip program_id='518441' first='Winter' last='Park Volleyball Club'] and live streamed via BallerTV.  This article series will discuss some of the players that turned the heads of the court coaches and scouts that were in attendance from Week 1.  The energy in the gym was very electric on every court.  Let's see who earned the Top Performer award from the showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Madelyn Axtell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Martin County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"High Tide","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67bbb3acad911"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madelyn is currently an unranked prospect in the 2028 Class according to our Prep Dig Florida State Rankings but that is only because they have not been released for her state yet.  She plays volleyball for Martin County High School and also plays club for the High Tide volleyball program.  Miss Axtell showed us a lot of versatility as she competed throughout the night.  Her ability to hit at multiple locations along the net proved to be a valuable tool for her team.  As an attacker I loved how she used a very high reach and contacted the ball at the true peak, which made it hard for blockers to time her effectively.  She played with a very high motor and was extremely positive with her teammates.  Her court coach loved everything about her and nominated her for this award.  We will continue to watch her progress during the tournament.  Please help us congratulate her on earning the Top Performer award at the showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748784"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67bbb3acad974"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sydney is currently an unranked prospect in the 2028 Class according to our Prep Dig Georgia State Rankings but that is only because they have not been released for her state yet.  She plays volleyball for Lambert and also plays club for the M2 volleyball program.  Miss Spence was phenomenal out of the middle during the showcase.  Her super strong frame proved to be a tough out for those who tried to battle with her.  There are a lot of very tall players who are unable to move fast laterally along the net, but Syd showed us that she has power in her lower body just like she does with her upper body.  Driving hard to the setter is a cornerstone of a solid middle and that is exactly what she did when attacking quick sets.  I also loved how she powered through opposing blockers with some blistering attacks out of the middle.  There was no match for her as she scored kill after kill.  She is definitely someone that schools will want to put on their short list of talented middles to watch moving forward.  Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["435242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67bbb3acad9bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laina is currently ranked as the 81^st best overall prospect in the 2027 Class according to our Prep Dig Wisconsin State Rankings.  She plays for Badger High School and also club for [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] volleyball program.  Miss Kirsch put on a show in both the positional breakdowns and the team scrimmages as she showed awesome footwork and the ability to move the ball around to all locations.  I was equally impressed with her amazing defense out of the right back zone.  She keeps her vision focused on the hitter and has an uncanny ability to read the play well before it is established by the opposing team.  This puts her in a great position to play the ball and keep it alive for her squad.  She is also able to use those soft hands of hers to dig high balls that come to her head.  With her super fast first step to the ball, there was no dig that got away from her.  While moving very swiftly around the court, she tracked down everything that her team dug up and was in a perfect position to keep the set in system for her attackers.  As a setter, her hands are very technically sound and this shows that she has attention to detail with her training.  Her court coaches and I were thoroughly impressed with her work ethic and think she has a lot of potential.  Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many more amazing players that will be written about.  Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.  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>.  Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.  Help us help them by simply reposting on X, Instagram or sharing on Facebook.  Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->