LPS Classic Standouts: Defensive Specialists

<p>We’re back for one final positional breakdown from the LPS Classic. Today, defensive specialists will help wrap up this feature series.</p> <p>After mentioning some of the big hitters we saw at the event, it’s only fair to bring up the "littles" who helped anchor the back row. The passing and defense at this event were phenomenal, and that’s part of the reason why the hitters were able to shine.</p> <p>Here we go! Be sure to keep an eye on these defenders as the 2021 season rolls along.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="82270" first="Presley" last="Liberty"] - 5’8 DS/L - Bellevue West - Class of 2022</strong></p> <p>Liberty’s game is as smooth as it gets from the libero spot. Every step she takes is deliberate, and her lack of wasted motion always helps put her in a great position to make a play. Better yet, Liberty’s teammates can always rely on her to cover a significant chunk of the court in serve receive. This seasoned veteran will take her defensive prowess to Columbia University next fall, and those skills could translate to early action at the collegiate level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58773" first="Samantha" last="Riggs"] - 5’7 DS/L - Papillion-La Vista - Class of 2022</strong></p> <p>Riggs carries out one of the most important tasks on this Papillion-La Vista team. She consistently passes the ball right on her setter’s head and allows the offense to flourish. Her floor defense is dominant, too, and she can repeatedly frustrate hitters with her layout saves. I always like to senior liberos take full command of the back row and help out their teammates, and this is a role that Riggs fills well.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unsurprisingly, it has been a battle of backcourts here in an opening matchup between <a href="https://x.com/PLHS_Volleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PLHS_Volleyball</a> and <a href="https://x.com/eshsvb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eshsvb</a>. <a href="https://t.co/gHMPyLJqAW">pic.x.com/gHMPyLJqAW</a></p> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1439224381964619777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Alli Mullin - 5’4 DS/L - Lincoln Southwest - Class of 2023</strong></p> <p>You don’t have to be a tall, high-flying hitter to have tremendous athleticism. Mullin is a good example. This junior defensive specialist has lateral quickness and agility that set her apart from other liberos. She’s incredibly active along the back row and is always in a perfect spot to cover her hitters. We’ve seen Mullin’s potential on display with VCN, and she’s bringing that same energy to the high school side.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sarah Galligan - 5’8 DS/L - Elkhorn South - Class of 2024</strong></p> <p>When it comes to selecting standout defensive specialists in Elkhorn South’s lineup, there are always a handful of great options. Galligan represents a rising group of liberos that will lead the Storm backcourt for years to come. Naturally, she boasts a lot of the same skills as her older sister, Katie. Galligan is quick to read opposing attackers and was not intimidated by the many hard hitters that Elkhorn South faced throughout the weekend. Soon, this sophomore DS will have a chance to lead the backcourt herself.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="105830" first="Sydney" last="Guthard"] - 5’3 DS/L - Norris - Class of 2024</strong></p> <p>Guthard is part of a vast corps of talented Norris defensive specialists that we’ll be talking about throughout the year. Patrolling zone six is this sophomore’s specialty. Despite being one of the few underclassmen on the Titans roster, Guthard is not afraid to take on a major passing role. The competition for the Norris libero jersey will always be intense, and this is a player who will be a factor in that discussion for a while.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_158276" align="alignright" width="408"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/09/IMG_2160-crop-3795x2492-1632348546.jpg"><img class="wp-image-158276" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/09/IMG_2160-crop-3795x2492-1632348546-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="408" height="268" /></a> Frame passes at the LPS Classic.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104984" first="Faith" last="Frame"] - 5’7 DS/L - Gretna - Class of 2024</strong></p> <p>Gretna is one of the few teams you’ll see this season that isn’t afraid to pass with two players. Frame is half of that equation. She looks very comfortable working in tandem with [player_tooltip player_id="58783" first="Skylar" last="McCune"] in the backcourt and has already taken a leadership role in floor defense. Frame was impressive during this year’s club season and has certainly not slowed down this fall.</p>