JVA Watch List: 2021 Libero/Defensive Specialists

Every spring JVA releases its Ultra Ankle Watch List. This will be the first of a multi-part series highlighting the Wisconsin athletes that were nominated from JVA Member Clubs. Of these nominations, approximately 20 will be selected by the JVA Awards Committee to be honored on the JVA All-National Team. This award recognizes the Top JVA players in the nation for their accomplishments on the court. We are going to get started with the 2021 Nominations with our unsung heroes. Liberos and defensive specialists are often the underappreciated glue that holds the team together. Every great kill typically starts with a phenomenal pass from the back row. 7 of our athletes from the class of 2021 have showcased their skills and considered some of the best. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80814" first="Katie" last="Quinn"]</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80814" first="Katie" last="Quinn"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431928' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428637' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428637' first='Revolution' last='']' last='']' last='Volleyball Academy'] - 17 Navy <strong>Haley Schmidt</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431928' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428637' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428637' first='Revolution' last='']' last='']' last='Volleyball Academy'] - 17 Navy <strong>MacKenzie Farmer</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 Navy - Oconomowoc MacKenzie shares back row responsibilities with Madison Edgewood's <strong>Yasmine Calado</strong>. She has been "stuck" behind a trio of Division 1 commits who will graduate this year. Farmer's senior season will be her best shot to lead the Racoons defense before she heads off to college. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80794" first="Kiana" last="Hellenbrand"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 Adidas - Marshall <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80716" first="Anna" last="Holland"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 17 Gold - Waukesha West - Seton Hall (Featured Image) Anna could be seen as the Swiss Army Knife during her time at Waukesha West. As a freshman, she walked in and asserted herself as their libero. The Wolverines then hit an unfortunate streak of injuries that forced Anna to step out of her comfort zone and swing. Holland became an undersized 6 rotation outside, but West could not afford to not have her on the court. The lone commit of this group will be headed to Seton Hall along with Sting Gold teammate <strong>Katie </strong><strong>Winkler</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80735" first="Isabella" last="Holcomb"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 17 White - Catholic Memorial <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80737" first="Mackenzie" last="Leach"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 17 Black - Burlington You could say volleyball is in Mackenzie's blood. Numerous relatives have gone on to play collegiately as well as coaching club, high school, and at the college level.  She has been one of my favorite players to watch this last year. Her Burlington Demons have established themselves as one of the best high school programs in the state of Wisconsin. The player with the 3rd most kills (less than 50 away from IUPUI commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80159" first="Emily" last="Alan"]</strong>) was none other than [player_tooltip player_id="80737" first="Mackenzie" last="Leach"]. She has an IQ that puts her at an advantage that opponents haven't figured out this club season. Playing on the pins during her high school career has given her the opportunity to actually be in the position to think like the outsides she frustrates. Sting 17 Black has had to overcome some injuries this season, but when they are healthy Mackenzie is the quarterback of a team that has the potential to hang with some of the best in the country.