Lone Star Classic: 16 Open Setters Who Led Their Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated tournaments in the club volleyball season in Texas, the Adidas Lone Star Classic kicked off earlier this month, hosting the first of its three consecutive stops simultaneously in Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Houston, as many as 450 teams from all over the country competed in the 12 divisions held at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Friday to Sunday, all of them looking to earn or improve their bids for the National Championship, which will be held in Indianapolis between the end of June and the start of July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/lone-star-classic-17-open-division-photos/">Lone Star Classic - 17 Open Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/lone-star-classic-16-open-division-photos/">Lone Star Classic - 16 Open Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DWuZGQeD4jD/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DWuZGQeD4jD/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Texas was in downtown Houston over the weekend, following closely as matches unfolded and paying close attention to the performances of the most talented players from the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, we'll feature the players who delivered strong performances in the 16 Open Division. We start the week with the setters:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739802"],"_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-69dcf6ed27e5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Niu set for the AJV 16 Adidas team that tied for ninth with four wins and four losses. A tall and technical setter, she run the team's offense with class and efficiency, keeping all her hitters involved. Niu was very creative with her playmaking, running a fast-paced offense and moving her hitters around to create doubts in opposing blockers when in system. She also used her height well at the net, offering a strong blocking presence and being very aggressive with her setter dumps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722062"],"_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-69dcf6ed27f33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooksey and her STVA 16-1 Madison team ended up in ninth place with four wins and four losses. A lefty, she was excellent at playmaking, showing superior technical skills and impressive intelligence in her distribution. Cooksey had STVA's offense running at a very quick pace, feeding her middles as much as she could and setting real bullets at the pin. The setter also served very well and showed excellent ball control when playing defense or bump setting off the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":960794,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/2J4A0130.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-960794" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["504546"],"_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-69dcf6ed27fd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGuire was part of the [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] 16 Black team that finished 15th with four wins and four losses. An extremely mobile setter, she stood out for her ability to track passes down on the court. McGuire was very quick to get to the ball and always managed to get her body in great balance before making contact with it, ensuring great accuracy for her locations. The setter also did very well with her distribution and consistently got her hitters in good spots at the pins by setting against the flow of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":960779,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/2J4A0094.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-960779" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["569711"],"_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-69dcf6ed28064"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kimberlin played for the [program_tooltip program_id='510733' first='Drive' last='Nation'] 16 - Red side that secured a 17th-place finish with a campaign of two wins and five losses. A setter with good size and excellent technical skills, she was very reliable and consistent, allowing her team to play very smoothly. Her distribution was always on point, and she did a good job of keeping all her hitters involved and the offense well-balanced. Kimberlim caused problems for opponents with her serving and communicated very well with her teammates, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":960803,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/2J4A0148.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-960803" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->