Top 8 KC Metro Uncommitted 2021 Defenders

<p>Now it’s time to highlight the players we see all over the place. We see them sliding across the floor, flying in the air, and occasionally taking hard balls off of body parts. We combined our defensive specialist and liberos for this list and moved the number to 8, as they could switch roles at the next level. Let’s take a look at our top uncommitted defenders in the class. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41757" first="Aly" last="Gurtiza"] - Lee’s Summit West High School - Dynasty Volleyball</strong></p> <p>Arguably the top defender in the state, we should see her off the board soon. A two-time all-state selection, Gurtiza is a vocal leader on the court. She has above average court awareness and seems to always be a step ahead of the offense. She has over 800 digs in her two seasons of varsity action for the Titans. Here are some <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11476324/5d8d096ac11b700ef4fdeb38">highlights</a>.</p> <p><strong>Presli Firkins - Platte County High School - Dynasty Volleyball</strong></p> <p>Firkins made her presence felt immediately in her first season on the court for Platte County. She took over the libero position for the Pirates and they didn’t miss a beat. The word that comes to mind when you think of Firkins is sacrifice. She will go all out for any ball she even thinks she can get a touch on. She shows a quick first step and gets to the seams in a hurry. Last year she had 357 digs and passed 397. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41790" first="Lexie" last="Smither"] - West Platte High School -</strong>  <strong>St. Joe Storm</strong></p> <p>Smither does most of her damage on the high school circuit from the pins. She projects to be a defender at the next level as shown by her club play. An area of strength for the rising senior is her ability to read shots to put herself in a position to make plays. She still contributed close to 250 digs a season ago as a 6 rotation hitter. Here is a chance to see Smither in <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CYADa">action</a>.</p> <p><strong>Aleena Peterson - Lutheran High School - Invasion Volleyball</strong></p> <p>Peterson is another player forced to play outside her typical position during the high school season. On the club circuit, she has shown how valuable she can be as a defender. She is a gritty back-row player and not afraid to stand in front of a heavy ball. Her passing in pinpoint. An area we were very impressed with was her ability to cover her hitters. Here are a few <a href="https://youtu.be/sk9vpvM_R7c">highlights</a> of Peterson. </p> <p><strong>Anna Christenson - Blue Springs High School - Invasion Volleyball</strong></p> <p>Christenson had a standout year for Blue Springs in the tough gold division of the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference. She is another tough player who digs up the hard-hit balls. She anchored the defense for a team that rose to a second-place finish in the conference. Last season she had 319 digs and 565 receptions. Christenson highlights can be found <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11702154/5d79c087a676b30ee0ec9390">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Madison Krier - Excelsior Springs High School </strong></p> <p>We travel just outside the metro to find Excelsior Springs defender Madison Krier. The Tiger libero is the glue to the defense. She moves very well laterally to get to balls. Krier quickness is a strength, as seen in her ability to pick up setter dumps often. A season ago she garnered 313 digs and 353 passes in serve/receive. Check out some <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11420175/5d9152922347bb0a20cc3a81">footage</a>.</p> <p><strong>Ashlyn Long - Pleasant Hill High School - Southland Aces Volleyball</strong></p> <p>Pleasant Hill has enjoyed great success over the last couple of years at the state level. A constant in the line up over that period is Ashlyn Long. She is one of the premier defenders in Class 3 and will be an added addition to a college program. She has averaged more than 300 digs a season over the last two seasons. She is a very smart defender and shows great awareness. </p> <p><strong>Abigail Day - Park Hill South High School - Invasion Volleyball </strong></p> <p>Day plays primarily on the pins in high school but has been seen playing a little more back-row only during the shortened club season. Even as a hitter, she has shown her ability to dig and pass while playing 6 rotations. Her time has a hitter has allowed her to see things differently defensively. Day often appears to be one step ahead of the hitters. At 5’9", she can swing and score from the back-row, which adds another dimension to her game. She had 305 digs a season ago. </p>