WKU Team Camp: Best Defenders
Next up on our WKU team camp series goes to the best defensive specialists. The first touch is so overlooked in high school volleyball, and in the midst of camp and various rotations, the pass is even more vital to…
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Continue ReadingNext up on our WKU team camp series goes to the best defensive specialists. The first touch is so overlooked in high school volleyball, and in the midst of camp and various rotations, the pass is even more vital to a team’s success. Here are four defensive specialists that deserve some recognition for their position.
Erin Gallatin- An incoming junior for Lebanon High School, Erin Gallatin proved to be one of the best defensive specialists in the gym. Considering she’s from Tennessee, most of the Kentucky players had no idea who she was, but Gallatin sure did put on a show in the back row. Against some of the better teams in Bowling Green, Gallatin flew around defensively and kept the ball off the floor. In left back, she stayed neutral and pushed really well to the left or to the right allowing her to have a bigger range than most players. Gallatin will help lead her squad in Tennessee this year.
Mackenzie Austin Mackenzie Austin DS/L Bowling Green | 2023 KY – Entering her senior year for Bowling Green High School, Mackenzie Austin Mackenzie Austin DS/L Bowling Green | 2023 KY had a heck of a showing at WKU team camp. Austin has been the libero since her 8th grade year, and it was clear to everyone in the gym. Not only does Austin have the most smooth and controlled platform, but she also flies around in defense because of her sheer athleticism and quickness. I think this year Austin will bring a whole new level of fire because it is her last one, and I think she’ll be a leader now more than ever. You won’t want to miss this girl emerge as a senior captain.
Samantha Nelson- As just a sophomore for the Central Hardin Lady Bruins, Samantha Nelson will make a stud libero for the squad. Last year, she was a freshman and earned significant amount of playing time behind senior libero, Lauren Vest and clearly proved herself to be one of the best defensive specialists. At team camp, Nelson was flying around in the back row and nailing passes in serve receive, but my favorite part about Samantha is her competitive drive. If there was one minute left in the game, and the team was down a couple of points, Nelson was throwing a ball to the server and doing everything she could to earn that next point. Nelson is an underclassman who loves the game, and that’s why I can’t want to see what she does in the fall.
Leyla Spurlock- From a little school named Allen-County Scottsville, Leyla Spurlock caught my eye because of her energy and positivity on the court. I learned that Spurlock was the libero last year for the Lady Patriots and planned to continue her role this year in her sophomore campaign. Spurlock tallied quite a bit of success last year with 293 digs which averaged a solid number of 3.93 digs per set and helped lead her team to a district championship title. Spurlock has the talent in serve receive and defense but then also backs it up with her respectable sportsmanship and bubbly personality. It will be fun to see where this game takes Leyla Spurlock in the future!