Making A Name: Two Standouts from the Natalie Jones 14’s Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Natalie Jones Memorial showcased some of the best young talent in the region, and Alpha Select's 14s team proved they belong among the elite. Battling through tough competition, they secured an impressive third-place finish, defeating several highly skilled teams along the way. While the entire squad played at a high level, two athletes in particular stood out—Maci Goodwin and Cydney Hopper.</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":758694,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Maci Goodwin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Alpha Select Volleyball Club","_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-67d0f5ac7aab4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodwin, a libero with a relentless motor, was nothing short of spectacular. She was all over the floor, making incredible digging plays and impossible saves, frustrating opponents with her ability to keep rallies alive. Her serve receive was well beyond her years, handling tough float and jump serves with composure. On top of her defensive dominance, she brought another weapon to the game, her stellar serves, which consistently put pressure on opposing passers. Her performance was so remarkable that coaches and referees alike couldn't help but take notice, with many drawing comparisons to elite liberos like Lexi Rodriguez and Elena Scott.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":758695,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cydney Hopper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Alpha Select Volleyball Club","_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-67d0f5ac7ab55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hopper, on the other hand, was the definition of an all-around athlete. Explosive and versatile, she executed every skill with precision, passing, hitting, setting, you name it, she did it at a high level. Whether she was delivering powerful attacks, making smart setting decisions, or controlling the ball in serve receive, she played with a confidence and energy that was contagious. Her presence on the court was magnetic, and her radiant smile only added to the energy she brought to every match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alpha Select 14s squad is undoubtedly a team to watch. Their ability to compete at such a high level against strong competition speaks volumes about the depth and talent of the entire roster. This is just the beginning for this group, and I'm eager to write about the rest of the team in the future as they continue to make waves on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->