Lena Bartell, a 5’8 2031, quick and springy outside hitter showed off her athleticism and IQ at Up Next San Antonio. Attacking every ball with a strong and quick approach immediately turned heads. With great footwork and an explosive approach, Lena creates a good foundation for being a strong pin hitter. She has developed a consistent attack, which is easy for setters to connect with and something teammates can rely on in the tough games. With her consistency, athleticism, and knowledge of the game, Lena is preparing for the next level at great pace.

The approach was the first thing that caught my attention. Lena Bartell Lena Bartell 5'8" | OH O'Connor | 2031 TX loaded her swing with intention and the ball had authority behind it every time she made clean contact throughout the Up Next San Antonio Showcase. When the set was not perfect she solved the problem with her footwork rather than her arm and that kind of spatial problem-solving is not common in the class of 2031. She stayed defensively engaged throughout the scrimmage segments and never treated the back row as a place to rest between offensive opportunities. Court coaches appreciated the competitive consistency she brought from the first drill of the day to the last point of the event. Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award for this showcase.