Defensive Specialists Highlight the Prep Dig Gauntlet

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive specialists play a key role on most teams. They typically can play across the back row and are versatile and consistent. Defensive specialists only have three rotations to make an impact, and I saw so many stud-level defensive plays from them throughout the Gauntlet. Here are some defensive specialists that caught my eye this past weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["323929"],"_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":"Kate typically played in the right back for 1st Alliance 15 Gold. This is an athlete that got the job done. She was aggressive from the service line and impactful on serve receive and defense. She picked up tips so well and was always ready for coverage. Kate was all over the court running through balls and getting great contact on the ball off block touches.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["249647"],"_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":"Cassidy and her defensive counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='277424' first='Siena' last='MacCudden'] typically split between being libero and defensive specialists because they are both incredibly talented. This weekend, we saw Cassidy mostly out of the middle back as a defensive specialist, and she was absolutely electric. She defended that back line ferociously and picked up balls from corner to corner. She was a consistent and energetic force in the back row.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["249651"],"_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":"Emily had some time as libero, but was mostly utilized as a defensive specialist. She reads opposing hitters very well. She can play across the backcourt consistently and is always engaged. She is a defensive machine out of the middle back, making some of the toughest plays look easy. Emily sets herself up for success by anticipating opposing hitters and staying balanced and ready to move.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["324011"],"_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":"Avery is a dynamic athlete that excels on serve receive. She also played on the pin in several matches. Avery reads incredibly well and impressed me as both a defensive specialist and as a pin. She is a consistent and competitive player that can be utilized wherever her team needs her.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["359922"],"_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":"Addison is crazy scrappy. She is all over the court and is quick. Her discipline in her movement sets her up for success. She never gave up on a ball and was consistent on serve receive. Addison picked some really tough shots and impressed me throughout the tournament. She is a  passer on the rise in this class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["215390"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I saw Jovi playing out of right back at the tournament. She made huge defensive plays, including picking up tips, running down block touches, and consistently reading and digging opponents' swings. Jovi is competitive and athletic in the backcourt. She keeps tough plays alive and is a consistent defensive force for her team.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["166372"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Emerson never misses a beat. She flies a little under the radar but is an essential piece of this team. Emerson has great form, a clean platform, and consistent angles. She moves quickly to the ball and has good court awareness. Emerson is very talented and an athlete to watch.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["178042"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Ashley is a talented athlete who has been on my radar for several years. She was playing out of right back at the tournament, adding valuable consistency in a tough spot. She is a key player no matter where she is on the court. Ashley puts up great passes out of serve receive and on defense.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["187642"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Alexandra is an athlete on the rise. She is scrappy and a huge energizer on the court. She sometimes plays at libero as well and is someone who is a natural leader. Her form is solid, she reads and executes well, but her energy on the court really sets her apart.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["122466"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Jae was on fire this weekend. I have had the opportunity to see her play numerous times in high school and club over the past few years, and this was some of the best defense I've ever seen her play. She was scrappy and gritty at all the right times and picked up some very impressive balls throughout the weekend.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["178031"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Natalie played at libero on the first and some of the tournament's second day. She is a very high-level athlete who reads opposing hitters well. She just seems to be in the right place at the right time, but behind that great defense is a lot of hard work. Natalie is aggressive and will never give up on a shanked ball. She will get a touch on nearly anything that comes over the net.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["178024"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Kati played out of both middle and right back throughout the tournament. She has a powerful serve and a high volleyball IQ. She is a part of the trio of passers that make up the incredibly talented Sting 16 Gold team that won the tournament. Kati is scrappy and will do just about anything to keep the ball alive. Kati has also has had a really successful high school career and is one of the top passers in her grade.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["135946"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Samantha is an incredibly hard-working athlete on the court. She is gritty, and after someone gets a kill or an ace on her, they rarely get a second chance to do it again. Samantha impressed me with her high volleyball IQ and great court awareness. She was key on this team's championship run. She is committed to Loyola Chicago along with [player_tooltip player_id='122466' first='Jae' last='Fitting'], mentioned earlier in this article. They will make one impressive duo at the collegiate level!","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6479571d0422e"} /-->