Colorado 1st Contact Club: Class of 2029

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Part One: It all starts with the first touch.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best offenses usually have one thing in common—they start with great first contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it's a clean serve-receive pass or a tough defensive dig, that first touch sets everything else in motion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the first edition of The 1st Contact Club, and there are plenty more players to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["764230"],"_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-6a3f33f18dfeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Layla Mitchell takes control of first contact. She keeps her platform quiet, absorbs tough serves, and delivers consistent passes to the setter's window. Just as importantly, she reads hitters before they attack, allowing her to beat the ball instead of chasing it. Mitchell also leads with her voice, calling seams, organizing the defense, and keeping everyone connected throughout the rally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["998070"],"_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-6a3f33f18e03c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooklyn Nelson never rushes the game. She stays balanced, trusts her reads, and flows naturally to the next play. Instead of watching teammates scramble, she steps in to provide extra coverage and fills open space before it becomes a problem. That awareness gives her teammates the confidence to play aggressively because they know Nelson has their back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["966726"],"_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-6a3f33f18e075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paisley Graham builds her game on consistency. She stays light on her feet, wins the race to the ball, and keeps herself balanced through contact. Additionally, she maintains an active split step that allows her to react quickly as the play develops. Graham's steady movement helps her team stay organized from the first touch through the end of the rally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First contact doesn't always make the highlight reel, but it wins plenty of points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group continues to show that strong communication, disciplined movement, and quality touches can change the flow of a match. The 1st Contact Club is just getting started, and there are plenty more Class of 2029 athletes we'll be featuring throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't forget to follow <em>@prepdigcolorado</em> on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->