Prep Dig State Ranking 2023 Stock Risers – May Update Vol 1
We are proud of our third update to the 2023 Class. We have grown to 127 of the best athletes that this state has to offer and the following players have made some serious moves on the list. It is…
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Continue ReadingWe are proud of our third update to the 2023 Class. We have grown to 127 of the best athletes that this state has to offer and the following players have made some serious moves on the list. It is through their play during this past season that has helped us decide who should be where on the rankings. We always say that it is not an exact science, however proving it on the court in their position always helps solidify the analysis. We will be profiling players who were previously ranked in the state, but through great play, they made some serious moves up the rankings. Without further ado, here are a few players who moved up:
Miller McDonald Miller McDonald 5'8" | S Lake Highlands | 2023 State #156 Nation TX [2023] 5-8 Setter (HS: Lake Highlands/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: Uncommitted)
We are proud to announce that Miller McDonald Miller McDonald 5'8" | S Lake Highlands | 2023 State #156 Nation TX is now currently ranked as the 9th overall prospect and the 2nd ranked setter in the 2023 class according to our State Rankings. We have written multiple articles over the course of the year about her that stated, “This young lady excites me. She plays for a newer club out of the Dallas area, Drive Nation. They were formed by former NBA great Jermaine O’Neal. Their state of the art facility allows them to train at a very high level. Miller is a setter who loves her craft. She can be seen in a gym by herself setting to a target often. Her work ethic at such a young age is inspiring to watch. The ball comes off of her hands so smoothly that you can tell she was born to set. The fluidity of her arms during her follow through is a sight to see. She possesses great footwork to track the ball down and has excellent posture throughout her set. The set that truly raises my eyebrows is when she goes against flow behind her to a right side hitter. It usually takes years to master that set as it is one of the most difficult to perfect. Miller is pretty close to getting it perfect. When I see her do that at this young Freshman age group, I just shake my head and know that volleyball is in great hands with young players of this caliber already. It is safe to say that this young lady is one of the next great Dallas area setters. I suggest you college coaches take note NOW. I am more excited to cover this young lady because she has a drive that is not seen in many players. Everyone on this State Rankings list has something about them that stands out. The drive to be the best is alive and well inside of Miller. And it is this that will keep her on our radar for the next few years. She has every tool in her toolbox that will allow her to move up the rankings. We have been watching very closely and she is ready to take the Lake Highlands volleyball program over for the next few years. Meanwhile her and her Drive Nation squad have been on a mission this club season. They are one of the top teams in the nation in their age group and have already punched their Open Division ticket to USA Junior Nationals with a huge 3rd place finish in the Open Division of the Mid East Qualifier. They went 9-1 and showed the nation who they are. Be on the lookout for our updated State Rankings List next month to see where she falls.” We have been following her very closely and she continues to prove herself on the court while leading one of the best teams in the nation in her age group. They are primed and ready for a solid run at USA Nationals this summer. Please help us congratulate her on moving up to be one of the top ten volleyball players in the State of Texas.
Kate Hansen Kate Hansen 6'3" | MB Weatherford | 2023 State #67 Nation TX [2023] 6-3 Middle (HS: Weatherford /Club: Texas Advantage/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Kate has now moved from the 19th to now being the 14th top prospect in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. We have written about Miss Hansen a few times and we said the following, “While the 2023 class is young, players like Kate certainly have my attention. I’m sure she will have the attention of college coaches soon once volleyball resumes. She is a dominant force as a freshman middle in the Dallas area. The most notable aspect of her game will definitely be her power on her attacks. They will never go unnoticed. Myself, I am very intrigued more so by her footwork. It is beyond her years to be able to move like that in transition off the net and toward her setter. She has the ability to move up those rankings quite a bit with the future I see for her. Coaches take note of her now as she won’t be a secret long. I have been watching very closely and this past season she earned so many honors with her play on her Varsity squad. She was one of the main weapons on their team and helped them to a wonderful record of 23-2 overall and a 14-0 district record. She had 237 kills, hit a .342 efficiency, 86 blocks and 10 aces as a sophomore. Her local newspaper Star Telegram named her the Blocker of the Year. The Texas Sports Writers Association named her 6A All State 2nd team. The accolades will not stop anytime soon. We are excited to watch as she and her TAV 17 Black team are killing it so far this club season.” We are proud that she has moved up 5 spots due to her play on the court. She is now one of the top 4 middles in her age group in our amazing state. I know it won’t be long until she chooses which school she will play for in a few years. We will most certainly enjoy watching her journey as she dominates on the court. Please congratulate her on the wonderful recognition and achievement of moving up the rankings.
Alyssa Manitzas Alyssa Manitzas 5'2" | DS/L Cornerstone | 2023 State #85 Nation TX [2023] 5-1 Libero (HS: Reagan/Club: Alamo/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Alyssa has moved up a couple of spot from being ranked as the 18th best player to now being the 16th best player on our 2023 Prep Dig State Rankings. She is still listed as the number 1 libero in the state. We have written about her a couple of times and we said the following, “Though only a sophomore, Alyssa plays like a senior. I have watched her personally in a tough match and believe me when I tell you that this one is a gamer. She never gets rattled no matter the opponent or the score. For a younger player to be as cool, calm, and collected as she is during a big match says everything about her future. This young lady is destined for greatness on the court and in life. As far as her skill-set is concerned she excels on both the defensive side of the ball and in serve reception. I love two things about her technique the most. The spacing and control of her platform while playing the ball allow her to create amazing angles to deliver to her setter. The second thing I love is her footwork. She is always balanced while moving without the ball and it helps during contact. Alyssa is extremely skilled and solid. While the oohs and aahs happen for the big swings, every college coach will drool over her play if they see her in person. I will be watching her career on the court very closely. We are excited to see her club team this season.” Everything that was written is true and the scary part is she is only getting better with more time and experience. She has the work ethic and great parents/support system to keep her head in training and not let the top libero spot get to her. I know she will only continue to keep working on her craft. Her and her Alamo team are preparing for USA Nationals as they are qualified and want to again solidify themselves as one of the best teams in the country in their age group. Please help us congratulate her on the wonderful achievement of moving up the rankings.
Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following Texas Family!