Five Defensive Dandies Available Right Now
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With the state championships in the rearview and club tryouts either done or in process, I dug deep into the rankings list to find some defensive specialists that are still looking for a home for the fall of ’23. Here…
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Continue ReadingWith the state championships in the rearview and club tryouts either done or in process, I dug deep into the rankings list to find some defensive specialists that are still looking for a home for the fall of ’23. Here they are, with schools, last known club and specialities.
Abby Herman Abby Herman 5'6" | DS/L Mount Vernon | 2023 State IN , 5-7, Mount Vernon HS, Rev (22)
A left-back genius with serve receive talent to spare, Abby has great anticipation and pursuit that is relentless. Although her high school team struggled a bit this past fall, her club seasons have been nothing but successful, and has played open-level ball for quite some time. This will be a steal to whomever wants a plug-and-play DS with possibilities of wearing the special jersey sooner rather than later.
Audrey Oxley Audrey Oxley 5'6" | DS/L Corydon Central | 2023 State IN , 5-6, Corydon Central, KIVA (22)
Tucked away into the southernmost portion of the volleyball map in Indiana, Audrey goes across the Ohio River to get her training from some of the best in ball-control at KIVA. She’s unheralded because of her high school’s size, and unnoticed because she doesn’t play club in Indiana. Even though she played middle back for the entirety of her career in high school, I have no doubts that she can play all three positions in the back row, as her anticipation and ability to read offenses is above average. In four varsity seasons, Audrey amassed nearly 2000 digs. How’s that for her ability?
Cadence McGlothlen Cadence McGlothlen 5'6" | DS/L Penn | 2023 State IN , 5-8, Penn, NIVA (22)
From extreme southern Indiana to all the way north into “the region”, Cadence spent three years at one of the biggest high schools in the state as their starting libero, scooping nearly 1000 digs in her time there. Her serve receive is smooth, her defense is solid, and is a reliable, no-nonsense player that plays like another coach on the floor. I like the leadership, the high-level skill and her ability to do whatever it takes to keep a ball in play. Her second contact skill locates the ball well for her attackers also.
Lexa Zimmerman Lexa Zimmerman 5'9" | DS/L Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger | 2023 State IN , 5-9, Bishop Dwenger, Empowered (22)
Nonstop energy and a relentless pursuit of off-speed shots is what you’ll get from this Fort Wayne area defender. Lexa owns left back on defense, and you can rely on her to pass half the court on serve receive. Wearing the special jersey for the last three high school seasons, she’s dug over 1100 balls in her high school career, all while playing one of the toughest schedules you can in high school. Her club schedule should be full of tough, open-level ball in the spring.
Daya Greene Daya Greene 5'4" | DS/L Madison-Grant | 2023 State IN , 5-4, Madison-Grant, GCVC (22)
Yes, Daya plays for a regional club team, but hear me out. After an excellent run in the 2A tourney this fall, Miss Greene earned 2A 1st team All-State honors, which just came out yesterday. Daya has set every possible defensive record you can for the Argylls, digging over 1300 balls in her career. She’s patrolled the middle back for MG for three years, and makes the game look easy in both serve receive and defense. If you ever wanted to steal a diamond-in-the-rough, this is the kid.