Digging It: Top Back Row Pairs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on in the 2023 season, we are seeing quite a collection of defensive statistics around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberos are putting up big dig numbers, but also getting similar production from fellow DS options or outside hitters on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at six duos, and in one case – a trio, that are putting their defensive ability on full display in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bloomfield Hills – [player_tooltip player_id='219684' first='Kora' last='Nicolanti'], [player_tooltip player_id='523642' first='Natalie' last='Petrucci'], [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloomfield Hills hasn't been shying away from matches, both in volume and competition level. Already with over 20 matches on the season, the Black Hawks are testing their talent, especially on defense. Nicolanti, Petrucci and Nwabueze are all big hitters that are polishing their defensive skills as well. Bloomfield Hills relies heavily on the trio to be the offensive and defensive strength. Thus far, the three have combined for 408 digs with Nicolanti leading the way with 153. The sheer mass of reps should pay off come the postseason. All three will be polished to make big plays in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grant – Jocee Pleune and Isabella Welch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 2 Grant looks to be a defensive-led team early in the 2023 season. It's got a pair of back-row specialists that are playing to a remarkably equal level of play. Pleune, a junior, and Welch, a senior, each have racked up 138 digs through 29 sets. That is nearly five per set. While the Tigers appear to have balance beyond those two as well, it's clear that when in the back row, someone is going to get to the ball. If Grant can get more consistent with its finishing ability on offense, it is clear that it has a defense that can compete at the highest level of D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Macomb Lutheran North – [player_tooltip player_id='458350' first='Claire' last='Leinberger'] and Kayla Reynolds</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D2's Lutheran North has been another busy team over the first few weeks of the season. The Mustangs already have 18 matches under their belt, which has led to a lot of wins and some impressive defensive statistics. Junior outside [player_tooltip player_id='458350' first='Claire' last='Leinberger'] has tallied 145 digs over 41 sets, while senior libero Kayla Reynolds is at 131. Lutheran North is another team with a lot of defensive depth, but these two are all over the floor and getting to attack after attack. Playing in the CHSL, it will face a lot of good hitting in the weeks to come. It should make the Mustangs feel good to know they have the players to be ready for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marysville – Kalista Negin and [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This duo for the Vikings is as impressive as any, given Marysville has just nine matches on the season. Between these two seniors, they are averaging nearly 11 digs per set. Negin is the senior libero while Woodard is the senior setter. Their experience and poise is paying off defensively for Marysville, which has picked up wins against the likes of Notre Dame Prep and Bloomfield Hills. Negin has 135 digs over just 21 sets, while Woodard has 87 over the same span.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville – [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville has never been short on defensive talent, but this season it is going to be tough for any team to match this duo. Both could be starting liberos anywhere in the state, but will share the honor for the Mustangs while playing alongside one another. On Thursday, the two were on top of their game while helping Northville defeat Clarkston in a battle of two of the top teams in Division 1. They combined for 39 digs in a four-set victory over the Wolves. Throughout the match, both came up with big dig after big dig, allowing Northville to slowly wear out Clarkston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Utica Eisenhower – [player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'] and [player_tooltip player_id='454360' first='Rease' last='Buza']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No duo on this list is as young as this Eisenhower pair. Ostrander is the sophomore libero while Buza is a freshman DS option. Both are making a big impact as underclassmen, combining for 236 digs over 24 sets, nearly 10 per set between the two of them. Ostrander sits at 141, while Buza has 95. Eisenhower is out to an 8-2 start to the season and has to feel good about its potential. Both of these defenders should only get better as the season moves on. Ostrander has established herself as one of the top defenders in the Class of 2026 and Buza is on her way to doing the same for the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->