BRQ 18’s Dynamic Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent at the Milwaukee Sting Center this weekend was through the roof as the Badger Region hosted its regional qualifier. There were so many hard fought battles and heavy hitters but the most impressive part was the dynamic defensive plays happening on every court. From block parties to shin digs the defense was insane! Let's take a look at a few players that caught my eye with dynamic defensive efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["91950"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Purtell was all over the setter dump as a blocker at the net and she would make the read and react before anyone else could even voice what was happening.  Pin hitters trying to expose the opening in the middle of the court had no luck when Purtell would come flying in from the middle back to keep the ball alive.  Her off-blocker defense was relentless and she was getting touches on anything within 10-15 feet of her whether it was coming from across the court or down the line.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["91895"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"This shouldn't come as a surprise but Berezowitz was a machine on defense.  She was digging a hard cut shot and running through a setter dump with ease all within a matter of seconds.  I think one of the most impressive plays she makes is when a hitter goes off the hands of the block and typically you might see a defender freeze up but not Berezowitz she is on the move or in the air within milliseconds to make a big play on the ball.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["159654"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Ongna has exploded onto the club season in 2023 with her explosive jumping and wicked armswing.  What really impressed me this weekend was not only the daunting block that she presents but her ability to read the play developing on the other side and putting herself in the best position to make a big dig.  She made multiple big defensive plays during long rallies in high pressure matches.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["91880"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This particular defender wasn't necessarily hitting the floor to make the big plays.  Dunaway was setting up a monstrous block that would invade the opposing attack's airspace and create a panic for most outside hitters.  I saw setters trying to adjust and set their hitters off even further with no change in result against the suffocating block.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["184100"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Eckel makes big defensive plays look easy and I love when a defender can make it look easy.  That is when you know they have a high volleyball IQ and they are thinking five steps ahead.  She gobbles up the setters attempt to dump the ball, outside hammers in the split and she is waiting for it.  Eckel sets herself up for so many positive plays on the ball and makes the process easier on her teammates.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fc493ea4fef"} /-->