Which Team Will Dominate at Durango Classic Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every September, Las Vegas stops being just a volleyball destination and starts being the proving ground for the best programs in the country. The Durango Classic brings together a field that stretches from Hawaii to Kentucky, from South Dakota to Southern California, and the matchups that happen inside these gyms tend to shape the national conversation for months. I will be onsite in person to cover as many matchups as I can and report back to you here on Prep Dig. Here is an early look at some of the programs who are traveling very far but will have a say of who holds up the trophy at the end of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cornerstone Christian School | San Antonio, TX</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cornerstone Christian arrives at the Durango Classic as a top-ranked program in the nation according to the MaxPreps preseason Top 25 and the resume that supports that ranking is built on consistent production at the national level rather than reputation alone. The Warriors have already amassed an 18-3 overall record and are scheduling opponents that test their system before the postseason arrives. The roster they bring to Las Vegas includes [player_tooltip player_id='808163' first='Breya' last='Dawson'], a 6'2" outside and right side hitter committed to Cal Berkeley who generates a contact point and attacking vision that we at Prep Dig have specifically noted as elite.&nbsp; She also has a hitting percentage that reflects smart shot selection rather than just physical dominance. [player_tooltip player_id='918835' first='Claire' last='Bolton'] is firing away at all opponents so far this year ad is leading the offense in kills.&nbsp; She is a very bouncy and electric point scorer who can do it all on the court.&nbsp; Superstar setter and pin [player_tooltip player_id='482109' first='Sydney' last='Whisenton'] is one of the most athletic players in the entire nation and will be fun to watch against everyone. [player_tooltip player_id='523942' first='Piper' last='Pease'] provides additional roster depth that gives Cornerstone options along the front row. Pease is committed to Northwestern and is the top ranked right side attacker in her grad class.&nbsp; Front row studs like [player_tooltip player_id='519327' first='Brooke' last='Oney'] and Zoe Fruqua are blocking machines who cannot be stopped.&nbsp; Libero [player_tooltip player_id='482103' first='Sara' last='Gonzalez'] is a premier defender and starts the offense well with her clean passes out of serve receive. College coaches looking for Texas talent on a national stage will not find a better opportunity this fall than watching Cornerstone Christian compete in Las Vegas over these two days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='430230' first='Assumption' last='High School'] | Louisville, KY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Rockets travel from Louisville carrying one of the most respected programs east of the Mississippi and the fact that they are making this trip to Las Vegas reflects an institutional commitment to national competition that few programs outside of the coasts pursue at this level. The Lady Rockets have been a consistent presence in national volleyball conversations for years and the experience their roster brings to every point of the Durango Classic will be visible from the opening serve. College coaches from programs in the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 who are evaluating mid-Atlantic and Southeast talent should be watching when Assumption takes the floor.&nbsp; So far this year, they are 18-0 on the season and are ready and willing to prove they belong in the national conversation. They are well balanced on offense with key contributors like seniors [player_tooltip player_id='484327' first='Emily' last='Poteraj'] and [player_tooltip player_id='484326' first='Carle' last='Hooe'].&nbsp; Super Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='823336' first='Claire' last='Kleinhenz'] is killing the ball at a very impressive rate and looks to lead this program for the next three years.&nbsp; But for now, there are two juniors who are leading the team in kills and should cause any opposing coach to worry about where they are in the lineup.&nbsp; Taylor Mckenzie has an efficiency of .309 so far this year and is second on the team with 149 kills.&nbsp; Her setter knows that she is extremely dangerous and that is why she is feeding her the ball more than anyone else.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='851613' first='Julia' last='Lee'] has the golden arm that is leading the squad in kills with 168 and also has a team high .488 hitting percentage.&nbsp; With killing efficiency this high, they have a legit shot to run the table at Durango.&nbsp; No one should be excited when they see them on the other side of the court.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more as we cover them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prestonwood Christian Academy | Plano, TX</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prestonwood Christian has been one of the most nationally decorated TAPPS programs in Texas for the better part of the past decade. The Lions produce Division I talent at virtually every position and approach their schedule with the same national ambition that earned them the top spot in the country two years ago. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='765125' first='Elizabeth' last='Kowalchyk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='743783' first='Evann' last='Beville'] are dishing the rock to all of the studs along the net quite well.&nbsp; The main weapon has to be [player_tooltip player_id='721043' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] who is a nationally ranked stud that can score from anywhere on the court.&nbsp; She is currently leading the team in kills with 194 and a stellar hitting percentage of .344.&nbsp; One of the best junior middle blockers in the country happens to be [player_tooltip player_id='500890' first='Gracie' last='White'] who is proving to be a monster that no one can tame.&nbsp; She is very technically sound and traverses the net laterally with ease. &nbsp;The Livings sisters can absolutely ball and they are all producing for the squad.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='828292' first='Nyla' last='Livings'], [player_tooltip player_id='808007' first='Naomi' last='Livings'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827004' first='Nia' last='Livings'] have the tenacity that any opposing team need to watch out for. The digging of senior [player_tooltip player_id='513772' first='Anya' last='Baklenko'] has this team able to stay super aggressive and that is not something that the opposition wants to see.&nbsp; If she continues this, they will be one tough out for everyone. We cannot wait to watch this team showcase big Texas offense to the rest of the nation.&nbsp; There is a reason they are currently 20-2 overall on the season and ranked as the best team in the great state of Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->