DS/Ls Who Rocked the Dallas Stock Up Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most difficult positions on a volleyball court is that of the defensive specialist. They need to be tough and resilient. They have to be technically sound and able to take a punch and keep going. I have serious respect for the defensive specialists in this game so let's talk about the defensive specialists who rocked the Dallas Stock Up Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":335030,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/152-Sloan-Cleveland-e1689059202347.jpg?w=167" alt="" class="wp-image-335030"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='303612' first='Sloan' last='Cleveland'], DS/L, class of 2025.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='303612' first='Sloan' last='Cleveland']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland is from Prestonwood Christian Academy and is in the class of 2025. At 5'6" she is in a great position to cover anything that comes her way. Cleveland is very consistent in digging on the court. She is very athletic and fast. She is a great combination of physicality and skill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='432295' first='Emily' last='Hernandez']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandez is a 5'1" defensive specialist from South Hills High School. She is quick on her feet and low to the ground so it looks easy when she rushes to get a ball. She is also a strong server and a good communicator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='401534' first='Campbell' last='Sheffield']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheffield is a class of 2026 DS/L from Allen High School. She is tenacious! She is also consistent, athletic, and a great communicator. When she was put through her paces at the showcase, she did very well and dug every ball put in front of her and put them to the setter 99% of the time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='433602' first='Aubrey' last='Acheson']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acheson is a 2024 DS/L from Brentwood Christian High School. She knows her stuff. She is very quick, athletic, consistent, and a great server. She adjusts well to the other team and seems to always be learning. She would be great at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='433603' first='Ava' last='Dyer']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyer is a 5'7" DS/L from RL Paschal High School in the class of 2026. Only a sophomore, she has years of development in front of her and she is already so very good. She works endlessly at her craft, always learning and improving. She is self-sacrificing and believes she will always get the ball. Impressive athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='235445' first='Julianna' last='Hernandez']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandez is a 5'6" DS/L from Memorial High School's class of 2026. She is a powerful athlete who knows she can cover the court and move the ball to the setter every time. She is not afraid to hit the court and pop back up and get ready for the next ball. She is strong, consistent, a strong server, and a good communicator. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259774,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/21-Summer-Hodge-e1689060562585.jpg?w=250" alt="" class="wp-image-259774"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='185817' first='Summer' last='Hodge'], DS/L, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='185817' first='Summer' last='Hodge']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodge is a 5'6" DS/L from Frisco Reedy High School's class of 2026. I really enjoyed watching her scrimmage. She is so fast and accurate with the ball. She is really strong and athletic. She has a killer spike and a great serve. She is scrappy as well, unwilling to let anything drop. Lots of fun!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='247036' first='Brooklyn' last='Stringfellow']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stringfellow was one of my favorite athletes to watch at the showcase. She is a 5'4" DS/L from Argyle High School's class of 2026. She looked very dedicated and serious on the court and called out to her teammates at all times. She is consistent, strong, athletic, and will sacrifice her body to make the play when needed. She had great serves as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='433605' first='Gianna' last='Felan']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Felan is a 5' DS/L from Holy Cross of San Antonio's class of 2024. Boy is she quick! She is also strong, consistent, and a great server. Her platform is beautiful and she sacrifices her body constantly to get the dig. If she is not committed for the next level, she should be. She is really good and seems to care about her team and communicates with them a bunch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->