Stock Rising Freshman DS/Ls at Iowa Top 250 Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive players are some of the most agile beings on the planet. They have to be able to go to the floor and then get back up and maybe powerfully hit a ball to the other side of the court's back boundary and do it fast. They determine the outcome of matches by being great or getting beat. They are responsible for saving points made against their team. They are the last line of defense. Let's look at the freshman group of defensive specialists from the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo in Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":547911,"width":"166px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/87-Izzie-McDonald.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-547911" style="width:166px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='730427' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], DS/L from Xavier High School, class of 2028.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730427' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald is a 5'4" DS/L from Xavier High School. This athlete is super quick and very smart. She seems to instinctively know where the ball is going because by the time it gets to it's destination, she is already there waiting to play it. She has a great platform, is super consistent, and is a great server with power and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730483' first='Regan' last='Pries']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pries is a 5'4" defensive specialist from Plainfield High School. Pries is quick and has a good platform. She is always moving on the court and has a lot of speed and agility. She calls her ball and gets it to her setter quickly. She gives chase and will dive well to bring the ball back into play. She is very enthusiastic and has a positive attitude on or near the court. This athlete has a lot of energy and looks like she would be a blast to play on the court with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":512569,"width":"163px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/137A8863.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-512569" style="width:163px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adrenaline 15 Maddie's [player_tooltip player_id='730490' first='Taylor' last='Hoskins']. (Photo: Rob Howe/PD)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730490' first='Taylor' last='Hoskins']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoskins is a 5'2" defensive specialist from Center Point-Urbana High School. Hoskins has a perfect platform and uses it well to make one-handed, non-wild digs. She is an impressive athlete, has quick feet, and is very consistent on the court. She is everything a coach would want in a defensive player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730422' first='Harper' last='Graff']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graff is a 5'4" DS/L from Waverly Shell Rock High School. Graff is athletic and has a great vertical. She digs with the best of them and can hit hard and powerfully from her position in the back row. She talks on the court, has a great platform, can set hitters, and never once hit a ball that was out. She has a high volleyball IQ and is a talented athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":693180,"width":"184px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"none","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/137A7393.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1" alt="" class="wp-image-693180" style="width:184px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'28 Dallas Center-Grimes DS [player_tooltip player_id='730450' first='Kylie' last='Janssen'] (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730450' first='Kylie' last='Janssen']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janssen is a 5'6" DS/L from Dallas Center-Grimes High School. Janssen looks so relaxed on the court but completely dialed into the game going on around her. She can focus really well and she is great at communicating with the other athletes around her so they perform in collusion instead of collision. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='730458' first='Lilly' last='Huntrods']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huntrods is a 5'3" defensive specialist from Ballard High School. Huntrods has a huge volleyball IQ, She is very aware of where everyone is on both sides of the net and is always in the position to dig up the next ball. She communicates well with teammates and runs the defense when on the court. She makes the right decisions and save tons of points!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->