Defense Wins Championships: 2026 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next group of watch list players we will examine are the liberos and defensive specialists. They are the glue on the court that keeps balls off the ground either digging up attacks or covering hitters. They are small but mighty and the engine that makes the team go. Here is a random mixture of players representing the class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261289' first='Ella' last='Anderson'] - Liberty/Pohaku</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson saw a little varsity action for a talented Liberty program in 2022. She is now making plays for Pohaku 15-2 in the libero jersey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357622' first='Sophie' last='Verslues'] - Helias/Central Missouri</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2022, Versules saw action on the Helias junior varsity and plays her club ball with Central Missouri Volleyball. They have been impressive this winter earning a bid to nationals behind the defense and passing of Sophie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='292716' first='Addison' last='McNeive'] - Notre Dame De Sion/PVA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNeive saw action in over 60 varsity sets as a freshman primarily in a defensive specialist role. She made the most of her opportunity with just under 100 digs and 200 receptions. You can find her in the libero jersey for PVA this winter making diving and one-handed plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220462' first='Madilynn' last='Benne'] - Lee's Summit North/Mavs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benne wore a couple of hats for Lee's Summit north last fall. She was key defensively but also had over 600 assists. You will find her in the libero jersey for the Mavs. She is very solid in the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222071' first='Ginnie' last='Normile'] - Cor Jesu/HPSTL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normile is in the Cor Jesu program and plays for HPSTL 15 Orange this winter. She is a solid defender with a good upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222064' first='Bailey' last='Biggs'] - Burroughs/[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biggs saw the court a lot in her debut season of varsity ball. She showed she can more than hold her own against top talent in St. Louis collecting just shy of 300 digs and over 400 receptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735261' first='Jadyn' last='Guerin'] - Osceola</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guerin was among the top in digs across the state in 2022. She had a draw dropping 621 digs and 600 receptions in year 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245320' first='Elsie' last='Larsen'] - Strafford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Strafford defender delivered over 300 receptions in her freshman campaign along with 164 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->