Plano East’s Dakota Huynh (3) digs the ball against McKinney Boyd as her teammates Simone Heard (8), Grace Pinegar (13) and Elena Davenport (10) look on in the second set during a girls’ high school volleyball match, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in McKinney.
Chitose Suzuki/Staff Photographer
When it comes to making one of the most important decisions of her life — where she will play college volleyball — Dakota Huynh admits she is picky. Because she wants to make sure she makes the right decision, she is taking her time.
Most of the top area seniors have made a verbal commitment to a college, but Huynh, a libero/defensive specialist for Plano East, remains undecided.
According to prepdig.com, Huynh is the top-ranked libero recruit in Texas. Huynh, who is 5-foot-2, is ranked No. 6 nationally among liberos and No. 36 among recruits in any position. Huynh said Florida International is among around 10 colleges that are recruiting her.
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Huynh said among her reasons for taking her time is finding a school that feels right when it comes to team environment, community and academics. She said she plans on majoring either in business or the medical field. Huynh said that NIL opportunities also factor in.
“I think in the beginning I was really picky and I really wanted the college to fit my standards. I really wanted a good community, not just for volleyball but as a school in general with good academics and a good community. Obviously, I really wanted to like the coaches and the players,” Huynh said. “I didn’t want to commit just to commit. I really wanted to like the school.”
The District 6-6A Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2025, Huynh has continued her strong play for Plano East this season. She has a team-high 545 digs and is second with 377 serve receptions behind Addison Tucker (442).
Plano East High School defensive specialist Dakota Huynh (2) makes a pass as Plano East High School outside hitter Marisabelle Sias (11) looks on during game one as Allen High School hosted Plano East High School in a District 6-6A volleyball match in Allen on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Stewart F. House/Special Contributor
Huynh had 17 digs as Plano East beat Plano — then ranked No. 9 in The Dallas Morning News’ Class 6A area poll — 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15 on Tuesday. Plano East (22-8, 4-1 in District 7-6A), which replaced Plano at No. 9, takes on Plano West (20-4, 4-1) on Friday.
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Huynh said she has had mixed emotions about the recruiting process, especially when it comes to watching her peers commit to colleges.
“It’s both been fun and kind of frustrating at the same point because I can see everybody else commit. I also want to commit too, but at the same time I tell myself that I have my own path and I’m doing it because I want to find the right school and not rush anything,” Huynh said. “I know my time will come. I have to take one step at a time. I have people around me to support me and I think that helps a lot.”
Verbal commitments are non-binding. The first day high school senior volleyball players can sign a written offer of athletic aid is Nov. 11.
Huynh said she is uncertain if she will wait until the end of Plano East’s season to make a commitment. She said she is not concerned about a college opportunity getting away. Huynh said she has talked with college volleyball players who took their time on making a decision. All such players ended up staying at the same school and not transferring.
Huynh said she is also prepared to take another path if that’s what it takes to play college volleyball.
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“Even if I have to walk on, it doesn’t matter,” Huynh said. “I play volleyball because I’m passionate about it and not just because I want a scholarship.”
Here are other top area players who haven’t given a verbal commitment to a college yet. The undecided status is according to prepdig.com.
Class of 2027
DS/OH Ryan Spencer, McKinney Boyd
Spencer has returned to the Boyd lineup this season after battling knee injuries the previous two seasons. Spencer has 183 digs and 68 kills while helping Boyd to a 23-5 record, 4-0 in District 6-6A heading into Friday’s showdown at Allen (28-2, 4-0).
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RS Lucy Holmes, Lake Highlands
Holmes leads Lake Highlands with 384 kills, 43 blocks, 62 aces and is second with 302 digs. She had 18 kills, 18 digs and 6 aces in Lake Highlands’ 27-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-22 upset over Coppell on Tuesday. She has helped Lake Highlands to a 15-17 record, 3-2 in District 7-6A going into Friday’s match against archrival Richardson Berkner (10-18, 0-5).
Class of 2028
OH Camryn Corso, Frisco Reedy
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According to Reedy coach Katie Rudd, Corso is not planning on playing college volleyball. Corso is currently ranked No. 20 nationally among Class of 2028 college recruits according to prepdig.com. Corso has 151 kills and 152 digs for a Reedy team that is 20-6, 4-0 in District 6-5A heading into Friday’s home match against Denton Ryan (20-10, 3-1).