Five Available Defensive Dandies In The Class Of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for a deep discount off of your national subscription!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our last edition of the positional breakdowns has us talking about the available players that are the last line of defense. Here are five high-end defensive specialists from five different clubs that are still looking for a home for the fall of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["503936"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6898bd16e9188"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing high-level club ball for the majority of her career, Miranda is a flashy, quick and tough defender that makes the incredible play look ordinary. Her feet are constant, her platform controlled, and being in the immediate area of nearly every contact made her an indispensable part of TI's 17-1 last spring, earning a silver medal in 17 American in Dallas. I've only seen her in middle back, which she excels at defending, but she's also capable of defending in all three positions and receiving serve in all three spots as well. As complete a DS as you can get, Miranda is an immediate plug-and-play option for the class of ‘26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495131"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6898bd16e91ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to believe that the libero for Munciana's 17-1 from this past season is available, yet here we are. Emi is a high-end defender from a high-ability high school that is more than accustomed to open-level play. She's a left-back queen—-more than capable of dealing with the hardest angle shots from the toughest of outside hitters, yet has the read-and-react capabilities to get all of the off-speed and deflected shots with ease. Her senior season should be fun as well; Burris is one of the top 2A programs this coming fall, and is a blue-blood program through and through. Whomever is lucky enough to have her, know this: she would like to major in pre-med, with a focus on chemistry. Smart AND athletically sound? The sky's the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778462"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6898bd16e9238"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a three-rotation DS for Academy's 17-1 this past season and a six-rotation outside for Mt. Vernon, Sierra is an active and well-rounded defender whose positivity and work ethic carry her wherever she goes. Familiar with dealing with open-level attacking and serve receive, Sierra is more than capable of handling the dirty work and taking pressure off of her fellow passers because of the area she can cover. She's also one of the taller defenders available in this class, meaning she can cover more ground with less steps because of her length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286983"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6898bd16e9279"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing for one of the best high school programs in the state, Maye was the libero for Circle's 17-1 squad this past spring, locking down the left back position regularly. Do not judge her on her size—-Maye is more than capable of covering ground, reading and reacting to off-speed shots and digging in when a hard-driven ball is on its way. Solid in serve receive as well, Maye is a well-rounded, well-trained defender who can play right away at any collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386164"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6898bd16e92ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing for one of the better small school programs in the state, Caya spent her time last club season split between being a three-rotation DS and the libero for Boiler Juniors' 17-2 squad. Equally adept in left back and middle back, her ability to change directions, read and react to off-speed shots and receive serve from any of the three lanes makes her indispensable on any team. Her willingness to hit the floor and do the dirty work necessary to keep the ball alive is easy to see, all with the readiness for the next play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->