Deep Diggers: Defensive Wonders Through Two Weeks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several impressive defensive players are performing well early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As much love as hitters and setters get, coaches and scouts understand that the glue on a winning team is a defender who can make consistent passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five early dig leaders in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All stats were found on Max Preps. I can't emphasize enough that if teams don't use Max Preps they can send me stats at <a href="mailto:deckscoutks@gmail.com">deckscoutks@gmail.com</a>. Also, coaches should include player heights with their stats. I won't feature athletes I can't find a height for. I passed over a couple of players with more digs, but no height listed on their profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493452' first='Sadie' last='Rethman']</strong>, 5'8”, OH, Emporia, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rethman can hit and play solid defense. The Spartan prospect is currently ranked No. 131 overall by Prep Dig. Through 20 sets she tallied 95 digs. She also has 52 kills for the Spartans who have started the season with a 5-3 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219724' first='Lauren' last='Welch']</strong>, 5'6”, DS/L, Maize, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch is currently ranked No. 43 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025. She has collected 91 digs in 17 sets played. Welch has committed to play for St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Maize is off to a slow start with a 2-5 record. Two of those losses are against a formidable Andover squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612038' first='Adaline' last='Bloomfield']</strong>, 5'6”, OH, Mission Valley, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloomfield is a prospect I saw for the first time before the season started at the Santa Fe Trail Jamboree. She is a six-rotation prospect who will be added to the rankings when updated. She has racked up 91 digs for the Vikings to go along with 96 kills in 26 sets. Mission Valley is off to an 8-5 start to its season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493503' first='Kailyn' last='Follis']</strong>, 5'4”, DS/L, Beloit, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Follis is ranked No. 93 overall by Prep Dig, and in my opinion, is one of the top uncommitted liberos in Kansas. She has 90 digs for the Trojans in 14 sets. I saw her play last week in a win over Ellinwood. There was a college coach in attendance scouting the spunky Beloit defender during the match in Ellinwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465558' first='Cali' last='Honeyman']</strong>, 5'11”, OH, Nemaha Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honeyman is a talented six-rotation player for the Thunder. She has tallied 87 digs and 78 kills in 21 sets. She has explosive quickness as an attacker and a quiet platform for an athlete her size. Nemaha Central has started the season with a 10-1 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->