Matt Powell, Sports Content Creator

You are more than the sport you play.

The wins, the offers, the rankings. None of them get to decide who you are.

Whether you are chasing an offer or already playing at the highest level, you are FAR more than your best or worst performance.

Class of 2028: June 15, 2026 is the first day NCAA Division I volleyball coaches can call, text, and DM you recruiting-related conversation. 🏐

Here’s what changes when the recruiting wall comes down, and what still waits until August 1 before your junior year. Swipe through.

The quick version: June 15 opens calls, texts, DMs, emails, and verbal offers. Official visits and off-campus contact wait until August 1. And you can email a coach first, anytime.

Only about 1.3% of high school girls who play volleyball reach D1. A clear plan beats panic.

My volleyball shot list for August and September. Pro and college, from AVP sand in Frisco to a million-dollar stage at AT&T Stadium. More stops to come.

Do you know someone who’ll be on the court? Let me know below.

Watch for my images after the match in the 900 Square Feet newsletter. Link in bio.

Deep in the middle.

Five Class of 2027 middle blockers, all out of west Houston, are all must-watch athletes this season.

Milena Miladinovic (Stratford) is hitting .335 and was named District 17-6A Blocker of the Year on her way to Winthrop. Willtrace “Wiggles” Ngoh (Seven Lakes) 19-6A Most Valuable Blocker is already headed to USC. Natalie Kitts (Tompkins) put down 174 kills and 62 blocks at six-foot-four, with Baylor next. Shayne Voskuhl (Fulshear), District 20-6A Blocker of the Year, is still receiving offers and will be a huge asset for the right NCAA program. And Sydney Crowder (Paetow) is committed to Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns.

A few of the standouts. Not the whole list.

📷 ·

Sports photography in this district guarantees opportunities to photograph champions. This is another trophy for a district that wins across all sports.

The Katy Tigers are 2026 Texas 6A Division II softball state champions. They beat Forney 7-2 at McCombs Field in Austin, capping a 39-5 season and the program’s third state title since 2015.

Freshman Haley Schmitt threw a complete game and walked off with tournament MVP.

Congratulations, Katy. 🏆

📸 · DrMattPowell.com

Class of 2027 Player Spotlight: Drew Merrell

Two points from the state final.

As a junior, Drew set for a 40-6 Tompkins team that won twenty straight before the season ended in the 6A state semifinal. First team all-district, an AVCA Watch List nod, and one high school season still to come.

Drew Merrell · Setter · Class of 2027
• •
📷 ·

These aren’t the moments editors search for, but they are the ones I love to capture most.

Capturing these moments is why I love sports photography.

Houston is becoming the volleyball capital.

These are a few of the greater Houston volleyball athletes stepping into a NCAA Division I season this fall.

I look forward to photographing some of these incredible athletes in their new colors this fall.

Pro. NCAA. Club. High School. It has been such a fun spring sports photography season.

A fun Saturday shooting these great ladies. Thank you for inviting me out… always a fun time getting to photo y’all doing what you love.