February’s strong backcourt defenders
Heart, when described as an attribute, is something all defenders have in common. Each libero or defensive specialist showed up often during a rally while watching the California athletes in a President’s Day event at The Las Vegas Classic. This…
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Continue ReadingHeart, when described as an attribute, is something all defenders have in common. Each libero or defensive specialist showed up often during a rally while watching the California athletes in a President’s Day event at The Las Vegas Classic. This event brought forward a few athletes to mention their heart during this February event.
Isabella Espinoza (2025) | DS/L | Rancho Valley
Passing after moving is generally agreed to be more difficult than passing when standing and Isabella Espinoza is at her best after lunging to pass the ball. She moves to make excellent angles to target and takes small steps to get there. Additionally, her bumpset is as graceful as a person lifting the ball to an attacker.
Kelly Chu (2023) | DS/L | FORZA1 North
Determination is one observed attribute of Kelly Chu. She commits early to forearm passing the ball and keeps the ball on her midline or left side. Chu has no problem with the ball when on the leftside or midline while taking a knee as well. When setting an attacker, she makes the easy set and looks to bumpset.
Sophie Tu (2023) | DS/L | Red Rock
Absorbing the force of a ball is a quickly seen element of the game of Sophie Tu. Tu will pass two too. The team has confidence enough in her abilities that they will be seen passing a two person serve receive formation. With the natural feel to absorb a serve and the space from a two person serve receive, she will often lean back just a bit when receiving serve.
Hrithika Cherala (2026) | DS/L | Core
Defer, discipline, and dimes are the three D’s of serve receive for Hrithika Cherala. Dimes actually has two explanations in that she will turn on a dime to pass a dime. This agile mover is active when the opponent sends a free ball and additionally she does not hesitate to pass an opponent’s serve with her hands.
Gwen Newcomer
Gwen
Newcomer
DS/L
San Dieguito Academy | 2024
CA
(2024) | DS/L | WAVE
The action of reaching for a ball to pass often happens with a pause, but
Gwen Newcomer
Gwen
Newcomer
DS/L
San Dieguito Academy | 2024
CA
is a go getter. On defense, a player is often positioned on percentages, geometry, or tactics and Newcomer certainly puts the odds in her favor. Her stalking moving of the ball allows her to be very engaged in the play and quickly reach to an attack that has pace.
Vanessa Chung (2025) | DS/L | Pacific Coast
Excellent leg movement is often overlooked and Vanessa Chung understands the value of pushing a ball up to target. This reactive defensive player is always there keeping the ball moving forward. Additionally, her leg movement is emphasized again when she sets a second ball in that she will turn 180 degrees or more to get the set to an intended hitter.