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Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch

Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch
Steve LeMaster
Steve LeMaster
August 10, 2023 @ 09:44 PM
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In this article:

Megan Helander
Megan Helander 5'6" | DS/L | 2026
KY
Mia Pendley
Mia Pendley 5'10" | OH | 2027
KY
Ashlynn Smith
Ashlynn Smith 5'5" | DS/L | 2026
KY
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore defensive specialists are among the experienced players in Region 7 that are set to contribute during the 2023 high school volleyball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A look at four 2026 Region 7 defensive specialists to watch follows. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='750447' first='Megan' last='Helander']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ballard ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d59b3daff8a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750447' first='Megan' last='Helander']</strong> is a talented defensive specialist who produces regularly. Helander possesses solid back row skills and uses her quickness to cover the court extensively. Able to dig and pass reliably, Helander uses strong ball control skills to thrive at her position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Della Peron","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Francis Parker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d59b3db0027"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Della Peron</strong> will take on a larger role for her team in the 2023 high school volleyball season. Peron, who is reliable, handles the serve receive and defensive responsibilities in the back row well. Peron possesses solid ball control skills and quickness, allowing her to excel defensively at her position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Gianna' last='Reynosa Morera']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Seneca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d59b3db00af"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535210' first='Gianna' last='Reynosa Morera']</strong> is quick, moves well from side to side and covers the court thoroughly. Reynosa Morera has shown the ability to make scramble plays routinely and provide precise passes. Athletic and agile, Reynosa Morera executes in various situations routinely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='479290' first='Ashlynn' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kentucky Country Day ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d59b3db0131"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='479290' first='Ashlynn' last='Smith'] </strong>is an energetic defensive specialist who works well with teammates. Smith's solid ball control skills and passing skills allow her to excel. Agile, Smith moves quickly from side to side and carries the serve receive responsibility well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Sophomore defensive specialists are among the experienced players in Region 7 that are set to contribute during the 2023 high school volleyball season.

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/four-2026-region-7-defensive-specialists-to-watch/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/Kentucky-Country-Day-2022-crop-1440x946-1668313040.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch"></span>
                
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                    <span class="last-name">2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
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Megan Helander Megan Helander Megan Helander 5'6" | DS/L Ballard | 2026 State KY

POS DS/L
CLASS 2026

Megan Helander Megan Helander Megan Helander 5'6" | DS/L Ballard | 2026 State KY

School: Ballard
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Della Peron

Della Peron

POS DS/L
CLASS 2026

Della Peron

School: Francis Parker
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/four-2026-region-7-defensive-specialists-to-watch/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/Kentucky-Country-Day-2022-crop-1440x946-1668313040.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch"></span>
                
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                    <span class="last-name">2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
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Mia Pendley Mia Pendley Mia Pendley 5'10" | OH Dunbar | 2027 State KY

POS DS/L
CLASS 2026

Mia Pendley Mia Pendley Mia Pendley 5'10" | OH Dunbar | 2027 State KY

School: Seneca
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(23,90,170, 0.95) 0%,rgba(23,90,170, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/four-2026-region-7-defensive-specialists-to-watch/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/Kentucky-Country-Day-2022-crop-1440x946-1668313040.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Four 2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch"></span>
                
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                    <span class="first-name">Four</span>
                    <span class="last-name">2026 Region 7 Defensive Specialists to Watch</span>
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Ashlynn Smith Ashlynn Smith Ashlynn Smith 5'5" | DS/L Kentucky Country Day | 2026 State KY

POS DS/L
CLASS 2026

Ashlynn Smith Ashlynn Smith Ashlynn Smith 5'5" | DS/L Kentucky Country Day | 2026 State KY

School: Kentucky Country Day
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