Rankings Update: Defensive 22s You Need To Know

<p>If there’s one thing Indiana produces a ton of, it’s defensive specialists and liberos (liberi?). Munciana has always been and currently is the place to be if you want to (1) receive great initial training into passing, and (2) continue on to be the best you can be in serve receive and defense. Case in point: the current starting libero from Nebraska, Ohio State and Auburn all came from Munciana.</p> <p>In this list today, the first three all train at Munciana. Watch and learn, kids.</p> <p><strong>#14: [player_tooltip player_id="85815" first="Emma" last="McMahon"], 5-5, Bellmont</strong></p> <p>I can’t say enough about the next DS that should come off the board. She touches everything and controls everything else. I would also venture to guess that she’s more comfortable passing with two instead of three in serve receive. Her movement is controlled, everything is on target, and she’s quick. Any questions?</p> <p><strong>#21: [player_tooltip player_id="85819" first="Rory" last="Powers"], 5-6, Yorktown</strong></p> <p><strong>#26: [player_tooltip player_id="85824" first="Taryn" last="Sallee"], 5-5, Yorktown</strong></p> <p>Did I mention that the liberos from Nebraska, Ohio State and Auburn all played at Yorktown, too? This is the epicenter of exceptional serve receive and defense, and the reason why Yorktown has been and always will be successful. I list both Rory and Taryn together for the simple reason that both can play multiple spots on defense, control half of the court in serve receive, and make a positive, accurate contact every time they pass. You can’t go wrong with either.</p> <p><strong>#27: [player_tooltip player_id="85825" first="Cadence" last="Notter"], 5-6, Covenant Christian</strong></p> <p>Down the street from one of the largest high schools in the state (Ben Davis) is Covenant Christian, a 1A volleyball factory that is slowly becoming relevant on not only the girls side but the boys side as well. Cadence, in my opinion, is the best representative for that push for volleyball to be next-level at CC, and this Circle City-trained kid is far and away the best recruit they’ve had since I can remember. She’s switched between playing middle back and left back, and her smooth, natural foot speed always gets her around the ball.</p> <p><strong>#29: [player_tooltip player_id="92606" first="Paige" last="Busick"], 5-5, Bellmont</strong></p> <p>Another Bellmont kid, this time one that trains at Team Pineapple in Angola. I’m not really surprised that Bellmont has this many defenders at one school; Bellmont has always had an undersized program, so they’re almost forced to be exceptional at serve receive and defense. I don’t think it is by accident that Bellmont’s success is directly related to their defender’s abilities; Paige is just another in a long line of Bellmont kids that plays smooth, with a high IQ, and can easily don the special jersey at the next level.</p>