Impressive Diggers at the Iowa Stock Up Showcase

<p>I have long stated my belief that the defenders on the court are tougher than other players because they have the hardest job. It takes some special fortitude to put yourself in front of a ball going about 60 miles per hour. They also have to be able to serve well, make their arms a platform, and get the ball to a specific player after getting hit by a ball going that fast. That is why I am so impressed with the athletes below. Let's discuss some of the things that make them great.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='168173' first='Morgan' last='Block']</h2>   <p>Block is a 5'9" senior DS/L from Sumner-Fredericksburg High School. I got a kick out of watching Block at the showcase when the opposing team tried to catch her flat-footed but failed. She has a great platform, a long reach, and is a smart athlete. Nothing on the court fell around or behind her, she was very impressive. She had great serves and the thing that makes her very special is her confidence. Being sure of your abilities is very important in a defensive position, any position really, and I could see that she knows what she is doing and is good at it.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/IMG_1705-e1690348319243.jpeg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-443407" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kaylyn Mills, 2024 DS/L from Dallas Center-Grimes.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261076' first='Kalyn' last='Mills']</h2>   <p>Mills is a 5'8" senior DS/L from Dallas Center Grines High School. Mills is low to the ground, has a great platform, and can take a lot of speed off of the ball. She is very athletic and very court aware. She is on the ball, literally and figuratively. She is always prepared for whatever comes her way and is on her toes ready to go after it.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/IMG_1707-e1690348430474.jpeg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-443409" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261082' first='Madi' last='Nemmers'], 2024 DS/L from North Polk.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261082' first='Madi' last='Nemmers']</h2>   <p>Nemmers is a 5'4" senior DS/L from North Polk High School. Nemmers likes to use her hand to pancake under the ball and when all hope seems lost, here comes a perfectly placed ball for her setter. She has a great platform, great serves, and is a smart athlete with great court awareness. She has tons of stamina, meaning she will not give up when trying to get the ball up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='215762' first='Emily' last='Brunson']</h2>   <p>Brunson is a 5'5" junior DS/L from Linn Mar High School. I loved the sacrifice I saw Brunson make at the showcase! She has a great platform, very smart placement on the court, and that means she has great vision of where everyone else is on the court. She is quick to the ball and will lie down to get it up. Very determined and impressive.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/517-Charleston-Hernandez-e1690350145420.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-438000" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Charleston Hernandez, DS/L from Glenwood High School, class of 2025.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Charleston Hernandez</h2>   <p>Hernandez is a 5'7" junior DS/L from Glenwood High School. Hernandez is fast and has spastic athletic muscles and reflexes. She has played as an outside before so she can hit, had two solo blocks in the first 20 sets she played in high school, and put up numbers in every stat bracket. She is very athletic, has a great platform, is smart on the court, and is prepared for anything. She looks very well-trained and can get very low to the ground making it easier to pop up hard-hit balls. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/IMG_1709-e1690348494318.jpeg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-443412" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters'], DS/L from Ankeny Centennial High School, class of 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters']</h2>   <p>Lei-Butters is a 5'1" sophomore DS/L from Ankeny Centennial High School. Great DS/L, very low to the ground, has quick athletic moves, very aware of the opponent's court and where she needs to be. She has a great platform, is quick on her feet, and gets to the ball whenever she needs to. She can serve well and even set a few hitters when needed. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Rachel-Allen-e1690350853392.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-438062" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='443124' first='Rachel' last='Allen'], DS/L from Pleasant Valley High School, class of 2027.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443124' first='Rachel' last='Allen']</h2>   <p>Allen is a 5'2" freshman DS/L from Pleasant Valley High School. Allen is so quick, athletic, and has great court vision. She knows where to be and gets there fast! She played so well against some very big hitters. She has a great platform and is a smart player. She serves really well and had a couple of aces at the showcase. </p>

I have long stated my belief that the defenders on the court are tougher than other players because they have the hardest job. It takes some special fortitude to put yourself in front of a ball going about 60 miles per hour. They also have to be able to serve well, make their arms a platform, and get the ball to a specific player after getting hit by a ball going that fast. That is why I am so impressed with the athletes below. Let's discuss some of the things that make them great.