Tour of Texas Stop 1 Top Performers Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who stood out at the Tour of Texas this weekend?  The Lone Star State and six other states battled it out early in the club season and put their lineups to the test.  Almost every one of these teams in the invitational divisions will most certainly earn a coveted bid to USA Volleyball Junior Nationals later on this summer.  Let's take a look at who earned our Top Performer award for this tourney?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["721043"],"_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-696ea2dfd1d4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='721043' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] once again showed why she is regarded as one of the top players in the 2028 class in Texas. Ranked No. 7 overall by Prep Dig Texas, Johnson was one of the most dominant players in the entire tournament across three demanding days of competition. Opposing coaches had to know where she was at all times, as she proved she could score from any area of the court. She mixed her shots with intelligence and creativity, consistently keeping blockers and defenders off balance and often forcing a committed double block. Defensively, Johnson covered a tremendous amount of ground out of middle back, turning hard-driven attacks into quality digs. In serve receive, she showed disciplined movement and an early read, allowing her to pass with consistency under pressure. Her ability to impact the match in every phase of the game continues to separate her from her peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["744267"],"_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-696ea2dfd1e59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Julia Clarke has the ability to completely take over matches when her team needs her most. The 6-foot-2 middle blocker runs one of the most impressive slide attacks you will find at this level, combining elite footwork with a high reach and true peak contact that makes her extremely difficult to stop. Her movement and timing are well beyond her years and reflect a player with a very high ceiling. At the net, Clarke's lateral foot speed and ability to close to the pins make her a true shutdown blocker. Offensively, her ability to run fast-tempo quick sets holds opposing middles and creates consistent scoring opportunities for her pin hitters. She impacts the game on both sides of the ball and continues to show why she may ultimately be one of the best middle blockers in the country in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["510894"],"_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-696ea2dfd1ed0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='510894' first='Chloe' last='Taylor'] was in complete control of the match from start to finish for her squad. The 6-foot-1 setter displayed exceptional leadership, consistently communicating with her hitters during dead balls and ensuring everyone was clear on the next play. She remained calm and vocal in pressure moments, setting the tone for her team throughout the tournament. As a setter, the ball came out of her hands clean and crisp to every location. She showed advanced feel by setting against the flow of the pass, keeping opposing defenses off balance. Her volleyball IQ stood out as she distributed the ball evenly and trusted all of her attackers. Taylor's command of the game played a major role in her team's success, and her performance firmly put her on track to be added to the Prep Dig California State Rankings in the upcoming update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned as we will have some awesome articles covering as many awesome players and teams as we can from this tournament.  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 or Instagram or sharing on Facebook.  Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->