Rising Threats: Standout Hitters at Up Next: Texas

<p>Middle hitters and opposite hitters are some of the most dangerous players on the volleyball court, capable of turning a match with a single swing. Watching these positions at the Up Next: Texas event, it is clear that talent starts developing early. At this age, many of these players haven't reached their full height yet—a key factor for middle hitters—but their skill, timing, and instincts are already impressive. In some ways, their ability to compete without relying on full height makes their talent even more remarkable.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='846720' first='Dallas' last='Wilson']</h2>   <p>Wilson is a 5'10" middle blocker from Faubion Middle School, class of 2030. Wilson combines timing and athleticism to make her a consistent threat at the net. She reads the setter well and executes fast attacks. She impressed with her quick reads and ability to time her attacks perfectly. She moves well along the net, adjusting to setters and defenders, and her vertical jump allows her to contest blocks and put up blocks effectively. Wilson's court awareness and agility mean she can deliver fast middle hits that keep opponents guessing and beat her opponent's defenders at the net. As she continues to grow, she could become one of the more dominant middles in her class.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='878623' first='Taylor' last='Brown']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/IMG_8303.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-880314" style="width:178px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='878623' first='Taylor' last='Brown'], class of 2031.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Brown is a 5'7" middle blocker from Braswell, class of 2031. Brown is already demonstrating great timing and quickness for a middle blocker. Her footwork along the net is precise, and she can execute fast, unexpected attacks that catch defenses off guard. Brown's anticipation allows her to close blocks quickly and effectively, and her developing athleticism suggests she will be a high-impact player as she matures into a great high school athlete.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Xya LaGrant</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/IMG_8306.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-880317" style="width:175px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xya LaGrant, class of 2030.</figcaption></figure>   <p>LaGrant is a 5'8" middle hitter from Cornerstone Christian School, class of 2030. LaGrant combines raw athleticism with smart play. She has a high volleyball IQ and she is quick on transition, reading setters and finding openings in the defense. This allows her to make a play to beat the defensive players before they realize and make adjustments. LaGrant's spike approach is fluid and aggressive, and her ability to execute quick attacks makes her a constant threat at the net. Her combination of speed, timing, and anticipation gives her a high ceiling as she grows. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='863945' first='Kinsey' last='Fortner']</h2>   <p>Fortner is a 5'5" right-side hitter from Rockwall Heath, class of 2030. Fortner stands out for her versatility and precision. She can attack effectively from the right side, then cover the back row defensively, and she adjusts to fast-paced plays seamlessly. Her smaller stature doesn't hinder her impact; instead, she leverages her quick footwork, accurate shot placement, and smart reads to stay competitive against taller opponents.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liv Prinzo</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/IMG_8305.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-880316" style="width:175px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Liv Prinzo, class of 2031.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Prinzo is a 5'10" middle hitter from Leander, class of 2031. Prinzo is a presence that immediately draws attention. Her timing, approach speed, and vertical ability allow her to execute powerful, fast-paced attacks. She reads her opponent's blockers well and sets herself up to exploit gaps in coverage, making her both a reliable scorer and a disruptive force defensively. Prinzo's athleticism and high volleyball IQ suggest she will be a key player for her high school team in the coming years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='877521' first='Walker' last='Litchenberger']</h2>   <p>Litchenberger is a 5'9" right-side hitter from Walnut Grover, class of 2030. Litchenberger blends power and adaptability. She delivers strong attacks from the right side while contributing to blocks and back-row defensive plays. She has great composure in tough situations and that combined with her ability to adjust mid-rally, makes her a versatile and valuable player on any court and at any age. One of the things I noticed the most about Litchenberger was her tendency to smile after each play on the court. That would be a welcome addition to anyone's bench.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='878900' first='Ellison' last='Parsley']</h2>   <p>Parsley is a 5'10" middle hitter from Grapevine, class of 2030. Parsley demonstrates excellent timing and agility for a middle hitter. She executes quickly when attacking and that challenge defenses. Her blocking ability at the net is already advanced for her age and she will be interesting to watch develop over the next couple of years. Parsley's anticipatory ability and court awareness allow her to read plays before they develop, giving her a significant advantage against opponents. Very fun athlete to watch play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='877623' first='London' last='Majors']</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/IMG_8304.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-880315" style="width:173px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Londin Majors, class of 2031.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Majors is a 5'8" middle blocker from Reynolds Middle School, class of 2031. Majors stands out for her explosive quickness and ability to read the rhythm of a rally. She thrives in transition, moving from offense to defense seamlessly, and has a knack for timing attacks that catch opponent's blockers off guard. Unlike many middles who rely purely on height, Majors uses her agility and athleticism to dominate at the net. Her competitive instincts and confidence in critical moments suggest she could become a clutch player for her high school team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liv Button</h2>   <p>Button is a 5'7" right-side hitter from Walnut Grove, class of 2031. Button uses creativity on the court. She can disguise her shots, mixing tips, cross-court swings, and line attacks to keep defenders guessing. I enjoyed her straight up strong cross court no sneak attacks the most though. She does not need to do anything except hit the ball as hard as she does and as smart as she does to become a big impact player as she continues to develop. Beyond attacking, Button's hustle and court coverage allow her to turn seemingly lost points into scoring opportunities. Her combination of quick thinking, versatility, and relentless energy makes her a unique player who can influence the outcome of a match in multiple ways.</p>

Middle hitters and opposite hitters are some of the most dangerous players on the volleyball court, capable of turning a match with a single swing. Watching these positions at the Up Next: Texas event, it is clear that talent starts developing early. At this age, many of these players haven't reached their full height yet—a key factor for middle hitters—but their skill, timing, and instincts are already impressive. In some ways, their ability to compete without relying on full height makes their talent even more remarkable.