2024 Club Season Primer: Dynamite Defenders We Are Excited to See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school season has ended and the 2024 club season is starting to ramp up. Over the next couple months, we will be highlighting some of the athletes that we are excited to watch this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up first, defenders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["257559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe Athena 17-1 libero is one of the top defenders in the state, and for good reason: Azavedo has insanely fast reflexes, great control, and reads the ball incredibly well. She is tough from the baseline, too, and brings a confident and calming presence whenever she is on the court.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["126033"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eChan, the Athena 18-1 libero, is another top defender in the state. The University of Wisconsin commit is super fast on defense and reads attacks well, making plays that seem nearly impossible. She is also a consistent and disciplined passer on serve receive.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["126188"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMaking the move from outside to defensive specialist this club season is Western Oregon commit Friesen, whose all-around skill on the court is impressive. The NPJ 18 Forefront athlete uses her solid technique to put up great passes. With her fast and killer arm swing, she also provides a back row attack option.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["267163"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHeinle, who also played on the outside during her high school season, is now playing solidly as the libero for Athena 16-1. Heinle is particularly skilled on serve receive, putting up perfect passes off tough serves consistently. She also has great hands and can take the second ball when needed.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["161824"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eReturning to the court after recovering from a concussion is Jung, a defensive specialist/libero for OJVA 17-1. Jung is super fast and flies around the court with ease, fearlessly digging anything that comes her way. It will be fun to see how Jung performs this season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Emma Kness","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Eagle Point","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"RISE Volleyball Club","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKness, the libero for the RISE 17 Flagship team, has been an imperative piece of her team's lineup. Kness moves around the court well, and she makes diving plays to keep the ball alive with ease. Not only is Kness a disciplined back row player, but she also has a deadly jump float serve. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["447979"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAs a defensive specialist/libero for the Athena 15-1 team, Lebeck is undoubtedly one of the top back row players in her class. Lebeck showcases consistent defense, quickly picking up anything that comes her way and keeping the ball alive. She has tons of potential and will be one to watch this season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='509761' first='Savannah' last='McKibben']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Sheldon","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"Webfoot Juniors","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMcKibben, the Webfoot 16-1 libero, is another top 2027 back row player. Although she is only a freshman, McKibben utilizes some really impressive and high level defensive moves to keep the ball in play. She is quick and fearless, unafraid to do whatever it takes to get to the ball. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["126030"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eNguyen is a standout player as one of the defensive specialists for OJVA 18-1. Nguyen is not just an excellent defensive player, but she can also set and attack as needed, making her an invaluable piece of the lineup. With Nguyen, [player_tooltip player_id='126201' first='McKenna' last='Brent'], and Washington libero Halle Reiter in the back row, the OJVA 18-1 defense will be hard to beat. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["257589"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHolding down the back row for the NPJ 17-1 team is libero Rapp, who manages to dig even the hardest driven balls with ease. Rapp combines great movement around the court, including her coverage of hitters, with quick reflexes to make some crazy plays. She is also deadly from the service line.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["267162"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTuioti is another outside hitter-turned-libero, playing in the back row as a defensive specialist/libero for NPJ Salem 16-1. Tuioti is a super athletic, physical, and dynamic player, bringing quick and consistent defense to the court. Between Tuioti, [player_tooltip player_id='268716' first='Sidney' last='Ginter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='238094' first='Kiana' last='Johnson'], the back row is in good hands for this NPJ team.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["244424"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eVillastrigo, the COVC 18-1 libero and an Eastern Oregon commit, is a very skilled back row player who brings a confident steadiness to the court. Villastrigo reads the attack well and provides solid coverage to her team's hitters. She is also a strong serve receive passer, and she brings a tough jump serve from the baseline.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a4f09e3beb7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>—</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can support these amazing athletes by sharing articles with family, friends, fans, and coaches. To do this, subscribe to our site and share across your social media platforms.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay informed by following Prep Dig on its various social media platforms. Follow Prep Dig PNW on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdig_pnw/">@prepdigpnw</a>) for updates on Oregon and Washington athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, unintentional errors happen. For corrections, please email prepdigpnw@gmail.com with“PrepDig Correction” in the subject line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->