1st Contact Club: Class of 2029, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First contact changes everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quality pass opens up an offense. A big dig keeps rallies alive. The best defenders don't always fill the stat sheet, but they give their teams a chance on every point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to 1st Contact Club, where we're highlighting Class of 2029 athletes making an impact with serve receive, defense, and ball control. Here's another group that's catching our attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997835"],"_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-6a44699a09ed1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clapper is the definition of a team player. She competes for every ball and refuses to let plays die. Her defensive instincts stand out, allowing her to read hitters and beat the ball to the spot. She also brings versatility to the floor. If the setter takes first contact, Clapper is comfortable stepping in and delivering a quality second touch. She's a player who simply finds ways to help her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1002122,"_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-6a44699a09f86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kunkel plays beyond her years. She's calm in serve receive, keeps her platform steady, and consistently gives her setter a quality first touch. Her footwork is clean, and she trusts her fundamentals instead of trying to do too much. That consistency makes her a reliable option every time the ball comes her way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["998372"],"_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-6a44699a0a011"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Castle covers ground well and stays under control from first contact to finish. She moves with purpose, keeps her platform quiet, and delivers playable balls that allow the offense to stay in rhythm. Her feel for the game continues to grow, and she's showing the tools to become a dependable back-row presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2029 continues to impress with its depth, and these three defenders are proving why first contact matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, recruiting content, and player spotlights, follow <em>@prepdigcolorado </em>on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->