2028’s Defenders To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <a href='https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2028-rankings/'>Class of 2028 Rankings</a> have added a number of new players to the Watch List.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, it's always good to try and find the ones that are standing out early in their high school and club careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2028 has some dynamic defensive leaders that could be game-changers in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class='wp-block-heading'><strong><strong>[highschool_tooltip highschool_id='682780' name='Addison'] Nostrandt, [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='679942' name='Birch Run']/Michigan Elite</strong></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nostrandt plays a very composed game and makes her serve receive and first contact look rather effortless. She's able to make subtle adjustments for a clean delivery. During rallies, she moves subtly, but with purpose and keep herself in good position to make a play. Nostrandt also can be a force from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class='wp-block-heading'><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' name='Ashlyn Pelon'], [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='690440' name='Marian']/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelon got a lot of big-match experience this fall as the libero for Marian, going up against the best offensive talent in the state. It led to her growing rapidly as a player and being able to make a lot of difficult, but instinctive plays. Pelon covers a lot of space and has good length for the position, but still is able to keep herself low to the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class='wp-block-heading'><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='579164' name='Ava Rewalt'], [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='677960' name='Richmond']/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rewalt is more of a utility than a specific defensive standout, but her overall skillset bodes well for her ability to excel in the back row. She can also set and hit, and just has a great overall feel for the game. That allows her to make precise passes and know where the ball needs to go during a scramble. She's also never rattled in any pressure situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class='wp-block-heading'><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710238' name='Harper Schaedig'], [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='678361' name='Lowell']/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another talent that can excel as an outside or defender, Schaedig is a solid all-around athlete that knows how to make a key play. Schaedig stays very alert on the floor and anticipates the play well. She can make quick adjustments to dive for a clean dig, but then also get back quickly to take on the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class='wp-block-heading'><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710234' name='Olivia Tyler'], [highschool_tooltip highschool_id='681455' name='Jonesville']</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler was a dig machine for Jonesville's varsity team this past fall. She was thrust into the libero role quickly and didn't back down from the challenge, which bodes well for her future as a leader on the floor. Tyler covered a lot of ground and found ways to get to nearly every ball. When she wasn't successful, she made the right adjustments to make the play the next time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->