Class 5A Defenders Looking to Make a Splash This Fall
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<p>As we continue to build our list I feel the need for a disclaimer. Any list that references making a jump, making a splash, need to know, etc are players who weren't the top stat earners in their categories but players we think have the potential to take that next step. We will have other lists for top returning players but I thought this context was needed as we get notes coming in! With that said, here are some defenders we can see having stronger seasons in 2023.</p>
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<p><strong>Ava Huston - 2026 - Topeka Seaman</strong></p>
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<p>Seaman had a good run last year and. Huston played a small role in that success as a defender in her freshman year. Her numbers don't jump off the page but earning action in 53 sets and getting 74 digs and over 100 receptions is a good foundation to build on. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219738' first='Kinley' last='Wilhelm'] - 2025 - Topeka Seaman</strong></p>
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<p>We'll stick in Topeka with teammate Wilhelm joining the list. She doubled her set action of Huston with 100 sets played in 2022. She was over the 200 dig mark with 224 and can easily see those numbers go up in her junior season. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220285' first='Malori' last='Purmort'] - 2025 - Blue Valley Southwest</strong></p>
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<p>The junior didn't have too bad of a sophomore year, pulling in 205 digs in her first varsity season. With a year of varsity experience and a solid club season under her belt, look for her to make more strides defensively this fall.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219724' first='Lauren' last='Welch'] - 2025 - Maize</strong></p>
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<p>We head to the south to find Welch, a junior who had just over 200 digs in 2022. Her final tally ended up being 203 in 82 sets for Maize. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367122' first='Morgan' last='Foos'] - 2024 - Goddard</strong></p>
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<p>Foos played in 61 sets in her junior year and looks to be geared for a big senior finale. She averaged 4.1 digs per set last year, good for 249 on the season.</p>
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As we continue to build our list I feel the need for a disclaimer. Any list that references making a jump, making a splash, need to know, etc are players who weren't the top stat earners in their categories but players we think have the potential to take that next step. We will have other lists for top returning players but I thought this context was needed as we get notes coming in! With that said, here are some defenders we can see having stronger seasons in 2023.
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