Rising Through the February Grind

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February tournaments often reveal which players are beginning to settle into their roles on their club teams. Offensive rhythm and defensive cohesion start to emerge as teams build chemistry through tough competition. Part I of this two-part series highlights athletes whose preparation and versatility allowed them to stand out as their teams continued to take shape this month. Keep an eye out for <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/february-recap-2/">Part II</a>, coming tomorrow!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["902268"],"_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-699c8ebcc3221"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the February Fiesta earlier this month, [player_tooltip player_id='902268' first='Kennedy' last='Roecker'] powered two kills down the line from the right side and showed she is dynamic and scores well from both pins. On the outside, she smartly tooled the block with a tip before transitioning back to the right side. Her versatility and confidence make her difficult for her opponent to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933995"],"_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-699c857f1a743"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='933996' first='Liza' last='Griffin'] worked the net at the February Fiesta for her team. She contacted several block touches and landed loaded so she could pick up the deflections. Her kills often earned her team needed momentum during competitive sets. She had a beautiful kill out of serve receive to the setter's corner before going on a three-point service run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["736640"],"_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-699c857f1aacc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='800607' first='Amery' last='Brooks'] applied constant pressure with her great jump serve, going on a five-point run in pool play that included three aces. She stayed low and ready on defense, making several show-stopping saves to extend rallies. Her ability to impact the game from both the service line and the back row gave her team important momentum in critical moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752839"],"_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-699c857f1a812"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='752839' first='Gabrielle' last='Schunk'] plays six rotations and covered a lot of court efficiently in transition. Within her team's defensive system, she played tight behind the block for tips, but moved gracefully to her outside touchpoint. At the net, she kept on a front-row setter who favored second-ball attacks. Her back-row performance was equally impressive, highlighted by an amazing diving save and a back-row kill. Her all-around presence made her a dependable teammate at The Kaizen Invitational.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Whitney Robson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_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":"32925","_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_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='430897' first='Ultimate' last='Performance Volleyball Club']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-699c857f1aa27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitney Robson stood out as a great defender, getting balls up and stealing kills from the offense. She ran the right side opposite of the 5–1 setter, providing a consistent and reliable presence in both the front row and back row. During rallies, she communicated where she thought the set would go, helping organize the defense and blockers. She was a chemistry player who kept her team focused on their goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->