Defensive Specialists Who Dug the Indiana Freshman Showcase

<p>The most resilient athletes on any volleyball court are probably the defensive specialists and liberos. They work so hard not to get beat to the floor and move so much to get the ball from touching down and losing themselves and their team a point. Their athleticism is amazing and their consistency is so helpful to their team's success. Let's talk about who was great at the freshman showcase.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anna Conley</h2>   <p>Conley is a 4'10" DS/L from Faith Christian High School. One of the defensive specialists who impressed me at the Indiana Freshman Showcase was Conley. She had a perfect platform, great court awareness, and she was undefeatable because she never gave in. I watched her slide her stomach along the floor to get under a ball on Sunday. She is an outstanding athlete and great at her position.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brooklynn Ferris</h2>   <p>Ferris is a 5'3" DS/L from Wheeler High School. Ferris was so impressive at the showcase. She was communicating with her teammates even during the regular beginning exercises in the first half hour of the event. She had a great platform, excellent timing, and great court awareness. Along with her ability to communicate, she is a fantastic defensive specialist.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blayklee Hancock</h2>   <p>Hancock is a 4'10" DS/L from Trinity Lutheran High School. She was prepared for the showcase, charged up, and ready to perform. She was ready for every rally, showed great communication, and had a great platform. Fifty percent of the job for a defensive specialist is being ready to move and Hancock displays that trait in spades.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Francesca Hansel</h2>   <p>Hansel is a 5'5" DS/L from Ryle High School. Hansel is very fast on her feet. She is very court aware and has a great platform. She is also very consistent. She will sacrifice her body to get the ball up and is not afraid to dive after it if needed. She showed true grit and determination. Nicely done! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kyla Hurley</h2>   <p>Hurley is a 5'3" DS/L from Penn High School. Hurley is one of those athletes that will jump in front of big swings every time. She has no fear and will use her legs to get low to the ground to get a great dig. She is an intelligent athlete and seems to be very court aware. She also places the ball well very consistently so that the setter can do her job following Hurley's reception. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='437638' first='Maysa' last='Lawrence']</h2>   <p>Lawrence is a 5'4" DS/L from Reitz Memorial High School. Lawrence first caught my attention for her service aces at the showcase, like three in a row, but then I saw her other skills as well. She has a great platform and is very consistent. She is athletic and moves quickly along the court. She sets herself well before receiving a ball so she is ready when it gets to her. She is prepared which is wonderful for such a young athlete and I cannot wait to see her development in the next couple of years. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kirkley Lowe</h2>   <p>Lowe is a 5'2" DS/L from Greensburg Community High School. Lowe is very consistent and aware of where she needs to be and where the ball needs to go. She has a great platform, no breaks in composure, and always gives her best. She has athletic quickness and when she needs to be to a spot on the court she gets there with alacrity. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mya Nelson</h2>   <p>Nelson is a 5'5" DS/L from Lebanon High School. Nelson was one of the hardest workers at the showcase. She sacrificed her body. She has a great platform. She displayed her strengths on the court with her teammates. She had great placement on the court that seemed instinctive. Honestly, you can see the time she has put into learning her job and performing above standard. She looked good! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='403249' first='Lyndsey' last='Robinson']</h2>   <p>Robinson is a 5'1" DS/L from Burris Laboratory School. Robinson is a dynamo. She is aggressive in the back row while passing, digging, and communicating well. She is a pleasure to watch hone her craft. She looks ready for the big leagues, meaning high school. She keeps her cool under pressure, has exceptional passing ability, and can hit from the back row. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vivian Stevenson</h2>   <p>Stevenson is a 5'3" DS/L from Yorktown High School. Stevenson had strength in every play at the showcase. She displayed great ball control skills. She had great skills digging the ball up, was very athletic and flexible, and was truly engaged during every play. She was a calming presence which would be good for the mental toughness of her team when she substitutes into the game for back-row play. </p>

The most resilient athletes on any volleyball court are probably the defensive specialists and liberos. They work so hard not to get beat to the floor and move so much to get the ball from touching down and losing themselves and their team a point. Their athleticism is amazing and their consistency is so helpful to their team's success. Let's talk about who was great at the freshman showcase.