Early Junior Dig Leaders In 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each year we see that defense is more and more valuable to a successful volleyball program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on in the 2023 season, we are seeing a number of juniors in the state compile impressive defensive statistics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at 10 juniors that have climbed the leaderboard in the dig department.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Stats were provided through MaxPreps</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jocee Pleune, Grant</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plene has been a very active libero for Division 2 Grant. She's racked up 238 digs over 48 sets of play, an average of five per set. Pleune is doing her part to keep the Tigers as one of the stronger defensive teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bella Fogus, Whitehall</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitehall has faced a lot of solid competition this year and the D2 program has had to be active defensively. Fogus is leading the defensive charge with 232 digs over 47 sets, averaging 4.9 per set this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'], Grand Rapids Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peal is one of the most well-known defenders in the state. She's got GRC looking like a D2 contender once again in 2023. Peal is racking up digs at a rapid pace. She's got 191 through 34 sets, an impressive average of 5.6 per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Natalie Velten, Kalamazoo Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Velten has been stepping up in her junior year for the Maroon Giants. Up against a lot of big hitters in the west side of the state, Velten has tallied 184 digs over 47 sets. That is an average of nearly four per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Savanah Flint, Manchester</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 3's Manchester has been holding its own against bigger competition this season and Flint is a credit to that. The outside hitter/defensive specialist has put up 172 digs over 39 sets while also being able to produce 123 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458350' first='Claire' last='Leinberger'], Lutheran North</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran North has quickly been compiling wins in 2023 and look like a force in Division 2. She's already close to matching her dig total for a year ago with 171 through 48 sets this season. Leinberger also has been able to add 103 kills to be a real dual threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'], Caledonia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top all-around talents you'll find, Gaier is a complete player that is showing her ability in the 2023 season. Defensively she has 167 digs to go along with an impressive 213 kills on offense. When you mix in 37 aces, it's clear to see Gaier is a big reason for Caledonia's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kinzi Tilton, Forest Hills Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FH Central isn't short on playing against strong hitting competition. That puts a lot on the plate of Tilton. However, the junior is handling the pressure well. She's got 166 digs on the year to keep the Rangers competitive against the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'], Gull Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gull Lake is trying to make some waves in Division 1 this season and the Blue Devils believe they can due to the play of Corstange. She's recorded 158 digs over 36 sets, averaging nearly 4.5 per set this fall. She is very near the 1,000-career dig mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482161' first='Jordyn' last='Anderson'], Ludington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ludington is racking up some of the most wins in the state in 2023 and Anderson has quietly been one of the most productive players in the state. She's doing it all as a 6'4” middle hitter and setter. She's got 158 digs on the year to go along with 495 assists, 53 kills and 41 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->