Class 2A: The Amazing Defenders

<p>Facing a talented defender across the net can be annoying to volleyball players. Having to hit the ball several times to finally score a point can not only be physically and mentally exhausting, but it also increases the chance of a mistake. It’s true that teams need offensive power to win championships, but defense is also a big factor and these teams should be in a good position in that regard when the 2020 season starts for the Class 2A in Washington.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96988" first="Emilea" last="Stepaniuk"] – Libero/Defensive Specialist – Senior – Ridgefield</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="96988" first="Emilea" last="Stepaniuk"] came up big in last year’s State Championship final by helping Ridgefield to secure the title with impressive 27 digs. That performance was just a small sample of what the 5’7” defender did all season for the Spudders as her defensive game was one of the strengths of the team. A quick, technically sound and courageous defender, she was selected to the All-State second team last year and is the highest-ranked defensive player at prepdig.com’s class of 2021 ranking at ninth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Emma Adams – Libero/Outside Hitter – Senior – Columbia River </strong></p> <p>Emma Adams’ backcourt performance for Columbia River last year was amazing and one of the main reasons why the Chieftains finished seventh at the State Championship. The 5’7” libero was a stud on defense and registered pretty impressive numbers with 473 digs, averaging seven per set. She has steadily grown her numbers since her freshmen season and was rewarded with an All-State team honorable mention last year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Yasmyne Valladares – Libero – Senior – Fife</strong></p> <p>Fife’s run at last year’s State Championship didn’t last long as the team lost its first two matches in Yakima, but libero Yasmyne Valladares made the most of every second she got to play in the spotlight. The 5’5” defender was one of just three Trojans to appear in the All-State team as an honorable mention, mainly because of her solid defensive game, highlighted by her 115 digs (2.3 per set).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Liz Hurn – Defensive Specialist – Sophomore - Woodland </strong></p> <p>Liz Hurn left as good of a first impression as she could have hoped for in her freshmen year as the 5’3” defender quickly established herself in Woodland’s system. The defender wasn’t shy to take up the task of leading the Beavers’ defensive efforts and she ranked first among the team in both digs (268) and passes (415).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Danielle Faamausili – Setter – Junior – Steilacoom</strong></p> <p> Danielle Faamausili is much more than a setter for Steilacoom. The captain of the Sentinels, the 5’9” Faamausili helps her team in several different ways in a volleyball court and defense is certainly one of them. An All-State honorable mention nominee, the sophomore ranked second in the roster in digs in 2019 with 302 only behind star graduate libero Saisha Morales.</p>