The Future is Here – SA Up Next Top Performers Vol 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Texas Showcases are back!  We had a big event that was held at the Alamo City All Stars Center on August 15^th.  The Up Next showcase for the middle school classes was amazing! These events always bring together athletes from across the state looking to compete in front of coaches while being evaluated by Prep Dig scouts and court coaches. There were tons of awesome players that we evaluated from their awesome production. Showcases like this continue to provide a valuable platform for athletes to be seen, tested, and recognized for their individual performance and intangibles. Let's take a closer look at three players who earned Top Performer honors at the San Antonio Up Next showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1011808"],"_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-6a83a491a864b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The challenge for a setter who stands 5'3" is not physical. It is positional and mental. Every ball has to be gotten to faster, every decision made quicker, and every set delivered with enough precision to compensate for a release point that is lower than what most offenses prefer. Miss Keeney has clearly been working on all of those things because she showed up and showed out at this event. Her footwork throughout the Up Next San Antonio camp was ahead of where most players her class year are operating and she squared her hips before release with a consistency that told evaluators she has been coached well and has been listening. She was vocal and purposeful with her hitters and the way she kept the system moving even when a pass was imperfect showed a player who understands that a setter's job does not stop when the first contact is bad. What I liked the most and what I hope she never loses is her amazing attitude.  She was always smiling and yet still extremely competitive.  I loved the way she slapped the floor when her hitters killed the ball.  I will be watching her progress closely and you should also. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1012742"],"_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-6a83a491a86a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aerilyn was one of the more complete outside hitters at the Up Next San Antonio camp and the court coaches watching her throughout the day kept coming back to the same word: consistent. Her approach footwork was clean and she loaded her shoulder through the swing rather than arm-swinging from a static base. When the set was imperfect she made adjustments in her last step rather than forcing the contact, which is a spatial awareness that most players her age are still developing. She passed with discipline in serve receive and stayed defensively engaged without needing to be reminded of her back row responsibilities. The frame she brings to the position already checks the box for evaluators and the technical habits she is building on top of it make her one of the more exciting young outside hitters coming out of the San Antonio market. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1013837"],"_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-6a83a491a86ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matea moves through the offensive system in a way that tells you her size will be a valuable tool that a lot of coaches will love.  A middle blocker in the class of 2031 who already stands 5'9" that is one of the more encouraging things an evaluator can observe. Her closing speed at the block was the first quality court coaches noticed at the Up Next San Antonio showcase and her ability to commit to the right direction without leaving her feet too early showed a player whose volleyball IQ is tracking ahead of her age. She attacked through the middle with authority and did not waste swings on low-percentage opportunities, which reflects a hitter who has been taught to read the block rather than just swing and hope. She competed with a physicality and genuine enthusiasm for the position that was visible from the first drill of the day and that combination of talent and attitude is exactly what earns a player a Top Performer award at this level. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.  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>.  You can also DM me in Instagram and X by searching @CoachMikeDZ.  Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.  Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.  Thanks for following us, Prep Dig Family!  Don't be afraid to interact with us.  We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments.  Keep them coming!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->