Scouting Practice: Sports Academy VBC Jen-14 Premier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, PrepDig attended a 14u practice and was impressed by the high level of play. The Premier team demonstrated remarkable athleticism, coordination, and skill beyond expectations. The practice was conducted at a fast tempo with top-notch coaching, showcasing the talent and potential of these young athletes. Coach Jen Baklenko, a former standout at the University of San Diego and a professional player both indoors and on the beach, led the practice. With coaching experience spanning three high school programs, seven clubs, and three D1 NCAA programs, Coach Baklenko's expertise was evident. Her continuous coaching and valuable volleyball insights led her team to a deeper understanding of the game.. Assisting her was Carrie Halvorsen, who played at the University of Arizona, while on the court playing was Sarah Wroblicky, a former Division 1 Volleyball player at Auburn University. The coaching these athletes are receiving is second to none.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the standout prospects observed during this practice:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":508330,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Saylor Halvorsen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Sports Academy VBC Jen-14 Premier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Saylor Halvorsen possesses an athletic frame, standing tall and strong, but most notably, she exhibits exceptional coordination. Her vibrant personality makes her a valuable addition to any team's roster. Saylor's enthusiasm for the game is evident, whether she's cheering loudly after her one-handed blocks or celebrating her overpass kills. Skill-wise, her mechanics are off-the-charts at the net, displaying ball awareness and quick reactions. At just 14 years old, she confidently handles any set, adjusting her approach flawlessly for tight, off, or inside plays. As the daughter of Carrie, who has coached camps at numerous top university programs and served as an assistant coach at two Division 1 programs, Saylor is not merely on track to become a Division 1 athlete; she is positioned at the forefront of the recruiting list. Her athleticism, agility, and engaging personality surpass all expectations for a 2028 athlete. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-465738u0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/Saylor-Halvorsen.jpeg?w=200u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022200u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":508334,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Katelyn Haberman","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Sports Academy VBC Jen-14 Premier","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Katelyn Haberman is a dynamic athlete who excels on the court. Her arm swing is both swift and strategic, displaying a level of awareness typically seen at the collegiate level. With the ability to find angles and deftly turn the ball, Katelyn displays an attack IQ that is rare. Her power tips are delivered with impressive speed, while her soft tips land with graceful precision. Proactive in her approach, Katelyn doesn't wait for the ball to come to her; she actively attacks and goes for every opportunity. I've saved the best for last: this military kid is only a 2029. It's remarkable to see such a high level of talent in such a young athlete. 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Focused on her game, she consistently strives to put it all together. Each time she approaches, you can sense her eagerness to bounce the ball. This coachable athlete is hungry to implement corrections. Not only does her game excel at the net, but she also demonstrates proficiency in serving and passing. This should be a breakout year for Malie, especially with the support of her highly competitive sisters, Manaia, who is heading to Northwestern, and Masina, both of whom play on the top team in the 17u Division. 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Confidently running her offense, she is a decisive decision-maker. Her setting hands are solid, delivering a precise ball with minimal spin. Karina's skills extend beyond setting; she frames and selects her angles nicely on her passes. With excellent communication skills, she moves with speed on the court. Furthermore, Karina has a serious serve, which led to numerous aces during practice. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-508346u0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-07-162859.png?w=186u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022186u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":508352,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='508881' first='Audrianna' last='Granatelli']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Sports Academy VBC Jen-14 Premier","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='508881' first='Audrianna' last='Granatelli'] is a libero who possesses an insatiable hunger for the ball. This determination is evident on her face during serve receive, almost as if she's baiting the server into targeting her. Despite her size, she covers a significant amount of the court. When she does get the ball, she consistently selects her angles with precision. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-508352u0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-07-163053.png?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022295u0022 /u003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":508354,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Taylor Daley","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"Sports Academy VBC Jen-14 Premier","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Taylor Daley is an exceptional court communicator with a strong eagerness to learn and improve. Diligently honing her quick step, she is dedicated to mastering the precise length required for her approach. Taylor demonstrates excellent ball reading skills and fosters a strong rapport with her teammates during practice. 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She effortlessly moves the ball at a brisk tempo, fostering excellent connections with her hitters and maintaining a seamless rhythm. Victoria's talent shines through in her precise execution of the two-handed dump, utilizing it effectively at strategic moments to secure the point. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-508340u0022 src=u0022https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-07-161753.png?w=226u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022226u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c41ced3cce4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->