Stat It Up- The Series: #16-20 Dig Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive specialists are so underrated, but they truly make everyone's lives so much easier. They're the constant backbone that keeps the machine running. Therefore, I give you five studs from the back row that stood out to the whole state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":255833,"width":227,"height":200,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/85-Payton-Parsons-e1670164332369.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-255833" width="227" height="200" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#16, [player_tooltip player_id='107425' first='Payton' last='Parsons']</strong> <em>(Nelson County)</em>- Junior libero for Nelson County, [player_tooltip player_id='107425' first='Payton' last='Parsons'] made some waves this past season with 703 digs in 108 sets. Parson works very hard defensively and protects the left side of the back court with ease. In Nelson County's district championship win over Bethlehem, Parsons tallied a hot 21 digs in just three sets. Then, in their region semis loss to eventual champs, Elizabethtown, Parsons counted 20 digs. Parsons helps the team in so many ways, but her range in the back row really allows everyone else's job to be that much easier. It'll be fun to see this girl in her last season at Nelson County! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#17, [player_tooltip player_id='158365' first='Courtlin' last='Phillips']</strong> <em>(East Ridge)</em>- A versatile player in every aspect of the game, [player_tooltip player_id='158365' first='Courtlin' last='Phillips'], junior stud ended up being the libero for East Ridge and helped the team out in the back row significantly with 616 digs in 98 sets. Averaging 6.48 digs per set, Phillips was very strong passing-wise and held her ground in serve receive. She was great about taking up a lot of space and really owning the back row. Phillips also led the team in service aces with 46. Serving as as a leader, Phillips chose to serve a different role for the sake of their squad. Selfless and talented, Phillips had a very impactful junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":284962,"width":187,"height":226,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-03-at-6.33.45-PM.png?w=847" alt="" class="wp-image-284962" width="187" height="226" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Charlee Hale</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#18, Charlee Hale</strong> <em>(Letcher County Central)</em>- Another outside hitter to make the top 20 list, senior, Charlee Hale aided the team in every angle but especially defensively with 690 digs in 110 sets. She led the team in almost every category with 332 kills and 98 service aces. Averaging 3.02 kills and 6.27 digs per set is extremely impressive and just shows how much she did for the team in every match. Hale was impactful with her skills but also her personality and quick-witted movements. In her last game of the year, Hale ended with a double-double consisting of 16 kills and 22 digs. Hale is a true stud and will be missed! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#19, Brooklyn Dugger</strong> <em>(South Laurel)</em>- If you want a kid that does her job and works hard at all times, then you want Brooklyn Dugger as your libero. From South Laurel, this junior libero, gathered 326 digs and averaged 6.27 digs per set. Dugger helped the team by playing all the way around at times in the right back position. Picking up tips and reading the outside hitter are two of the most important skills from right back, and Dugger was certainly great for this position. Dugger will be a pivotal part of the squad next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#20, [player_tooltip player_id='208867' first='Isabella' last='Mulling']</strong> <em>(Calvary Christian)</em>- A defensive specialist and setter all wrapped into one, [player_tooltip player_id='208867' first='Isabella' last='Mulling'], junior, played very well this year and counted 495 digs with an average of 6.11 digs per set. Mulling was needed defensively for the team as libero, and she balled out even though that wasn't her primary position. Calvary Christian lost in a tough first round to Scott, but Mulling totaled a hot 21 digs in their last game of the season. Mulling will be back and ready for her senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->