Saturday Serve Receive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serve receive can set the tone for an entire rally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong passer does more than simply keep the ball off the floor. Good movement, platform control, communication, and the ability to handle different types of serves can give a setter the freedom to run the offense. These four players continue to show those qualities in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alexis Jordan</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Alexis Jordan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cherokee Trail","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Elevation","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72a546337e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan brings plenty of speed and awareness to serve receive. She moves well to get behind the ball and does a great job creating a stable platform, even when the serve pulls her away from her starting position. Additionally, Jordan has a strong feel for where the ball needs to go, which helps her turn difficult serves into playable passes. Her quick reactions and willingness to take up space make her a reliable first-contact option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kynli Beier</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1006874"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72a5463406"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beier takes ownership of the serve-receive court. She communicates early, moves with purpose, and stays engaged from the moment the server steps to the line. More importantly, she is not afraid to go after a tough serve or make an adjustment when the ball does not come directly to her. Her strong platform gives her a solid foundation, while her confidence helps keep the passing unit organized. Beier continues to show that she wants to be someone her team can trust with first contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Laurissa Richards</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734497"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72a546345a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Richards brings a controlled approach to serve receive that allows her to stay composed when the serve gets difficult. She does a nice job getting her body behind the ball and creating a consistent passing platform. Furthermore, Richards understands how important her first contact is to the offense. Rather than simply getting the ball up, she works to create a pass that gives her setter options. That combination of control and awareness makes her an intriguing serve-receive player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hattie Kate Lewis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1011114"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab72a54634a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lewis is already showing impressive movement for a young 2031. She stays light on her feet in serve receive and reacts quickly when a serve changes direction or takes her away from her starting position. Additionally, she does not give up on difficult balls. Lewis continues working to get her platform underneath the ball and send it back toward her setter. For such a young player, that willingness to move, adjust, and keep working through imperfect contact is exciting to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Contact Matters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serve receive does not always get the same attention as a big kill or block, but it can completely change what happens next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is what makes a strong serve-receive player so valuable. The best pass may not make the highlight reel, but it can be the play that starts everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, player features, recruiting content, and more, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->