High School Preview – Highland Park
This week is the week that will bring so much joy to many volleyball coaches and players across the great State of Texas. Day 1. Last year the preseason was cut short due to “It That Shall Not Be Named”. This…
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Continue ReadingThis week is the week that will bring so much joy to many volleyball coaches and players across the great State of Texas. Day 1. Last year the preseason was cut short due to “It That Shall Not Be Named”. This year we are able to have a full tryout and pre/regular volleyball school season. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in action on the court. We will be highlighting a few teams that have a chance to do something very special this year if it all works out. Today we bring our attention to Highland Park High School out of District 13-5A.
The Scots are coming off of a season in which they reached the Regional Quarterfinals for the second year in a row. They went 26-9 overall last year and took first place in their district by going undefeated at 18-0. They are returning some significant firepower from last year’s dominant team and are primed for another run at the title in 5A. We have written about some of these players before and here is a little from our recent articles about them if you need to remember who they are:
Sydney Breon [2023] 5-11 Outside (HS: Highland Park/Club: Texas Advantage /Verbal: Uncommitted)
Sydney is currently unranked in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings but she has been on our watch list and her ranking will be changed in a few weeks when I update the rankings. She was a huge reason for their 26-9 overall record along with a 18-0 district record as she was named the MVP of district 13-5A as a sophomore. She is one of the premier all around volleyball players in her class and she was phenomenal for TAV this past club season. We cannot wait to cover her for the upcoming school season as this year should be one to watch from her. Last year was her coming out party and she is only getting started. Everyone will notice her superb offensive skill-set and it is clear to see why. What is truly apparent, though, is her stellar ball control and amazing defense in the back row. She is so great at serve receive passing that any team could easily run a two person serve receive formation with her and a libero and still pass over a 2.3 for the year without issues. Stay tuned to see where she falls on the rankings.
Emily Hellmuth Emily Hellmuth 6'4" | RS Highland Park | 2022 State #77 Nation TX [2022] 6-3 Outside (HS: Highland Park/Club: Dallas Skyline/Verbal: Pepperdine)
Emily is currently unrankedin the 2022 Class but she has been on our watch list and could break into the rankings next week when we update them. She is a fantastic pin hitter for Highland Park High School and also for the nationally recognized Dallas Skyline club program. She has been unstoppable since the season just started for the Scots as she has posted 12 kills against Red Oak HS this week. She picked up right where she left off last year and looks to have a fantastic senior season. Miss Hellmuth will be a big reason why we have picked Highland Park to go for a dominant run this year. We are very pleased to announce that she recently chose to verbally commit to Pepperdine University. Pepperdine will love the skill set that Emily brings to the table. We look forward to covering her senior season this year. Stay tune to see where she falls on the rankings.
Nicole Mauser Nicole Mauser 6'3" | RS Highland Park | 2023 State TX [2023] 6-3 Right Side (HS: Highland Park/Club: Texas Advantage /Verbal: Uncommitted)
Nicole Mauser Nicole Mauser 6'3" | RS Highland Park | 2023 State TX is currently ranked as the 47th best prospect according to our Prep Dig State Rankings in the class of 2023. She plays at Highland Park High School and club for the amazing Texas Advantage Volleyball club out of the Dallas Metro-Plex area. We wrote an article on her earlier this year and we stated the following, “This six foot three right side has been dominant on every team she has been on. The shut-down right side is an imposing force against opposing outside hitters. She routinely goes against the best hitters of her opponents and slows them down well. What I love about her play is just how fluid she is in relation to her frame and how she moves on the court. She has every tool to continue to move up the rankings as the years go by. We will be watching very closely as she continues to progress under the tutelage of some of the best trainers in the nation at TAV. She had her TAV squad will be competing at USA Nationals this summer and will look to prove that they are one of the best in the nation. Please congratulate Miss Mauser on her achievement of being one of the top players in the state of Texas. Stay tuned as we cover her throughout her volleyball journey. “ We watched as she was able to help her 16s team dominate at USA Nationals in Vegas and win a National Championship in the 16 Open Division. She is going to have a fantastic junior season and we can’t wait to cover it.
Cecily Gooch Cecily Gooch 6'3" | MB Highland Park | 2023 State #183 Nation TX [2023] 6-2 Middle/Right Side (HS: Highland Park/Club: Texas Advantage Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Ceci is currently ranked as the 33rd best prospect in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. Miss Gooch plays at Highland Park HS and also club for Texas Advantage Volleyball. We wrote an article on her earlier this year and we stated the following, “We love her size and power at the net. She throws down the hammer like Thor once that ball is released from her setter. Her long arms form an almost impenetrable wall against opposing hitters and it is frustrating to play against. Blocking like this is such a great tool for any team to have and Ceci is going to become a master at it through the course of her career. What also stands out is her court vision as she routinely is able to go in hard for a quick and see the double block well. When she sees it, she is able to tip the ball to zone 4 to score for her squad, which is extremely intelligent. We are extremely excited to cover her and think she has such a high ceiling to improve and move up the rankings. Please congratulate her on being part of the Prep Dig State Rankings.” We watched as she was able to help her 16s team dominate at USA Nationals in Vegas and win a National Championship in the 16 Open Division. She played extremely well and is poised for a great junior season.
We like them because they have some unfinished business from last year’s exit. They have some of the strongest firepower in the state with their powerful and lengthy lineup across the net and if their ball control holds up no one should slow them down. The Scots definitely have a chance to run the table and we only have a few teams on our watch list that could give them a challenge. We will be watching very closely and we can’t wait to see the show.
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!