Lone Star Classic NQ Day 1 – Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the hardest National Qualifiers of the year is in full swing in Dallas, TX this weekend.&nbsp; Being held at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in downtown Dallas, this qualifier brings the best teams from all over the nation under one roof toward the end of the season.&nbsp; This article series will discuss some of the players that stole the show while I watched.&nbsp; I decided on day one to make my way over to the USA Division in the afternoon to find some under the radar talent and boy was I surprised with what I found.&nbsp; Let's see who earned the Top Performer award from day one of the Lone Star Classic National Qualifier.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534883' first='Ryleigh' last='Conner']&nbsp;[2027] 6-0 Outside (HS: Liberty/Club: Amarillo Xtreme/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryleigh is currently an unranked prospect in the 2027 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but that is only because they have not been released yet.&nbsp; She plays for Liberty High School in Lubbock and also club for the Amarillo Xtreme volleyball program.&nbsp; Miss Conner stole the show as I stopped by her court today to see what west Texas had to offer.&nbsp; I saw some pop in her attack as she unleashed fury on her opponent.&nbsp; She has serious length in her arms and they help her block and attack at a very high level.&nbsp; Being only a freshman, she is playing up with some older players and shining very bright.&nbsp; I am very glad I got to witness her magic and can't wait to add her to the State Rankings next week for the class of 2027.&nbsp; She deserves the recognition for sure and also deserves everyone's attention in this sport.&nbsp; We will gladly keep our eye on her moving forward.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a top performer award for day one of the Lone Star Classic National Qualifier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535907' first='Payton' last='Ortega']&nbsp;[2026] 5-9 Outside (HS: Salado/Club: Texas Fury/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":533830,"width":"113px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Payton-Conner-e1713578227803.jpg?w=692" alt="" class="wp-image-533830" style="width:113px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payton is currently an unranked prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but sure turned my head with her awesome display today.&nbsp; She plays volleyball for Salado High School and also plays club for the Texas Fury volleyball program.&nbsp; Miss Ortega jumped her way onto my radar as I walked over to her court to see what her and her teammates were up to.&nbsp; From the moment I stopped by her court, I was amazed at the vertical and hang time from Payton.&nbsp; It certainly got my attention, but what kept my attention was her super solid arm swing.&nbsp; She has a gift with that golden right arm of hers and she lets it loose each time her setter delivers to her.&nbsp; It doesn't matter which pin she hits from because she exploits whatever the defense gives her.&nbsp; When they set up on the line against her, she crushed a hard driven cross-court attack.&nbsp; In another rally after that, I watched her swing from the right side with authority.&nbsp; The blockers were a little too far inside and Payton made them pay with a bazooka blast down the line that scored with ease.&nbsp; I loved what I saw from this young lady and will be adding her to my watch list for the foreseeable future.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for day one of the Lone Star Classic National Qualifier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644458' first='Kylie' last='Rodriguez'] [2026] 5-11 Outside/Right Side (HS: Forney/Club: Dallas Skyline/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":533832,"width":"116px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Kylie-Rodriguez-e1713578303355.jpg?w=801" alt="" class="wp-image-533832" style="width:116px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kylie is currently an unranked prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but that will change the next time we update them with what I saw from her in person today.&nbsp; She plays at Forney High School and plays club for the Dallas Skyline volleyball program.&nbsp; I am not sure there was a hard hitter in the afternoon wave today than Miss Rodriguez.&nbsp; On top of her amazing offensive barrage of blasts, she was even more stellar in the back row passing serve as a primary passer.&nbsp; The fact that she is a go to player anywhere she is tells me all I need to know about her.&nbsp; There are a few reasons why this team is ranked super high in their division and she is definitely one of them.&nbsp; I loved the confidence that she played with on both ends of the ball and how her teammates trust her.&nbsp; A true terminator on both pins, shows just how versatile she truly is.&nbsp; Not many players can allow the ball to cross their shoulder on the right side and hit it with power, but Kylie makes it look very easy.&nbsp; I loved what I saw and am adding her and a few of her teammates to my watch list.&nbsp; Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for day one of the Lone Star Classic National Qualifier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many more amazing players that will be written about.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; 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>.&nbsp; You can also DM me on Instagram or X by searching @CoachMikeDZ.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply reposting on X, Instagram or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->