6 Best: Defensive Duos

<p>  As the saying goes, offense wins games but defense wins championships.  This up coming high school season is sure to be an interesting one with limited practices and restrictions on summer activities.  Teams will need to rely on their passing and defense to make up for lost time, and these dynamic duos are the ones who lead the way:</p> <h3 class="clearfix"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong><span class="playerName ">[player_tooltip player_id="72081" first="Keely" last="Kurschner"] (2021) &amp; </span></strong><strong><span class="playerName ">[player_tooltip player_id="72079" first="Alyssa" last="Isackson"]<span style="font-size: 12pt"> (<span style="font-size: 14pt">2021)</span></span></span></strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 12pt">:  Both players will be seniors for <em>Hill-Murray.</em></span>  <span style="font-size: 12pt">Keely is the libero for the team and Alyssa is an outside hitter.  Despite a finishing in the lower half of the Metro East conference, both players demonstrate exceptional defensive styles.  In fact, <strong>Keely</strong> was within the top 20 for most digs in the 2019 season.  Her efforts gave the team a fighting chance against bigger, tougher schools.  Early in the season, she managed an impossible 52 digs vs. <em>Simley.  </em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt">They lost in five sets, but this energetic, libero gave everything she had and earned All-Conference award.  Likewise<strong> Alyssa</strong></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">is an outside hitter who is equally skilled on defense.  At 5’10’’ it was an obvious fit for her to establish herself as one of the team’s best hitters, but her endurance carries on to the back row.  During the regular season, she averaged 8.8 digs per match.  Because of her skills across the board, she has been spending more time playing doubles-sand adding to her readiness for a great season.</span></span></h3> <p></p> <h3 class="clearfix"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong><span class="playerName ">Ashley Wieber (2021) &amp; <a href="https://www.mnvolleyballhub.com/roster_players/35207674?subseason=618634">Abbey Wieber</a> (2022): </span></strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 12pt">These sisters got to show how well they work and play together this past season and with the <em>Albany Huskers</em> graduating 8 players from last year, they will need to rely on the passing of these two.  Abbey is a defensive specialist for the team and is a vocal leader who sees the court like a pro.  Her insight helps sister, Ashley (5’8’’), know what shots are open as an outside hitter with a quick snap and strong arm.  Ashley was named to the <em>AVCA Phenom List</em> in the past, but anyone who knows the pair recognizes their chemistry is and ability to play together is what makes them so special.  You can expect this duo to come into the 2020 season in great shape and not miss a beat as they’ve been quarantined together.</span></span></h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 class="clearfix"><strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 14pt">Abbi Stierlen &amp; Grace Banse:</span></strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 12pt">  These two incoming juniors from <em>Mankato West</em> will have big shoes to fill after finishing just behind <em>Northfield</em> in the Big Nine.  <strong>Abbi</strong> is a talented, feisty libero with a super competitive style of play.  She a was key part of the past season and easily move into a leadership role.  Look for her to be the foundation of their serve receive.  Grace had a great year, but most of her minutes were earned on JV but was a swing-player who helped out varsity too.  This year, they will need her to contribute in front row as well as alongside Abby on a consistent basis. The 5’8’’ Banse, is a strong athlete who also excels in track and field.  The two will be a great duo to lead West.</span></h3>