2026s Class 3 Top Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222579' first='Lilly' last='Bott'] – 5'5” - St. Charles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some kids just got it, and Lilly is one of those players that understands her role and does it extremely well. A quick, high volleyball IQ, tough defender who takes up a lot of court and loves to play defense. She will be playing at the next level. Already with over 1,000 career digs in two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taylor Wray – 5'6” - Rogersville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor plays middle-back defense for Rogersville and gets to the corners with ease. Fast and reads the hitters extremely well. She was 1 dig shy of finishing with 400 in her first season patrolling the back line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225326' first='Brie' last='Rubel'] – 5'9” - Cape Notre Dame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brie is part of the Rubel basketball legacy like her sister Kate and plays defense extremely well. She's one of those players that can play any position and does it without hesitation. Finished tied for 1^st in digs with 373 on the team and did that having played 16 fewer sets. Whether it's basketball or volleyball the next level awaits Brie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Annie Rhoney – 5'6” - Harrisonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Annie played out of position throughout the season but still led her team in digs with 358. A speedy player who covers a ton of court and when called on can hit as well. A Libero jersey is in her future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rosie Kuegele – 5'4” - St. Charles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What do you do when you can play tremendous defense, but you are needed to hit? Well, you play outside and lead your team in kills with 131 and 2^nd in digs with 334. Rosie can do it all, but her calling will be libero because she can pass and play defense with the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->