6 Best: Defensive Duos
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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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:
Keely Kurschner Keely Kurschner 5'5" | DS/L Hill Murray | 2021 State MN (2021) & Alyssa Isackson Alyssa Isackson 5'10" | OH Hill Murray | 2021 State MN (2021): Both players will be seniors for Hill-Murray. 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, Keely 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. Simley. They lost in five sets, but this energetic, libero gave everything she had and earned All-Conference award. Likewise Alyssa 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.
Ashley Wieber (2021) & Abbey Wieber (2022): These sisters got to show how well they work and play together this past season and with the Albany Huskers 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 AVCA Phenom List 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.