Austyn Kidwell, a Ds from PCA in Plano, Texas. Just spent her club season with Arete’s 17 Navy team and the level up paid off! On the court, Austyn sets the tone for the back row, communicating and hustling every single play. Able to compete in a fast tempo game, she pushes to make the hard pass and keep rallies alive. With a clear high IQ for the game, she reads and reacts to the ball efficiently, putting herself in playing position quickly and making a fundamentally sound play. There is no fear and no hesitation when it comes to Austyn’s play, a good sign that she’s ready for what’s next.

Austyn brings an unusual physical profile to the libero position and the Sophomore ID Showcase was the right environment to show what a 5’7″ back row defender can do when the instincts and the mechanics match the frame. Her court coverage throughout the day was exceptional using her length to handle high-velocity attacks at a range that shorter liberos simply cannot match. She led with confidence and communicated well with every player she shared the floor with, regardless of whether she had played alongside them before. I was very impressed with both her footwork and technique in creating angles with her platform. Competing for Arete 17 Navy Telos and Prestonwood Christian Academy has put her in high-quality environments, and both of those standards showed up in how she performed at the Sophomore ID Showcase. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.