Kansas Deep Diggers: Class 4A Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive players often get overshadowed by offensive players. However, defensive players still help win championships and earn college scholarships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on five athletes who lead their respective teams defensively and who could cash those defensive skills into college scholarship money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119721' first='Elizabeth' last='Tjaden']</strong>, 5'9”, L, Clearwater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tjaden posted big numbers during her junior season. She finished with 346 digs and 584 serve receptions for Clearwater during the 2022 season. Tjaden is currently ranked No. 100 in the Prep Dig Kansas Class of 2024 rankings. She is extremely athletic and also a star on the basketball floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emma Pfizenmaier</strong>, 5'5”, L, Clay Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pfizenmaier finished with 314 digs and 311 serve receptions during her junior season. She has solid passing technique and a strong base. Whoever taught her the basics of serve-receiving did an awesome job. She plays composed and doesn't press during long rallies. Pfizenmaier also is a solid softball player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495665' first='Madelyn' last='Williams']</strong>, 5'7”, OH/OPP, Louisburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams could be a solid six-rotation player at the JUCO level. She plays primarily as a hitter but posted solid defensive numbers for Louisburg during the 2022 season. Williams finished with 274 digs, 310 serve receptions, and 167 kills. Her successful hitting style is all about her reach and ability to jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Poje</strong>, 5'7”, L, Tonganoxie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poje is an experienced athlete who has three seasons of varsity experience. She is a composed athlete who can play six rotations. She has eye-popping career numbers of 1,022 dig and 1,401 serve receptions. Her numbers were solid in 2022 with 310 digs and 442 serve receptions. Both of those totals were actually smaller than the numbers she posted as a sophomore in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reagan Huscher</strong>, 5”8”, L/OH, Hayden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huscher finished the 2022 season with 253 digs and 303 serve receptions. She can also finish off plays as he racked up 121 kills for the Hayden Wildcats during her junior season. She has a solid approach and a compact swing. Huscher also competes in track and field and plays basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->