Backrow Standouts 2029

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have started the 2029 watchlist! First off, many more names will be added as the club season progresses. The players on the current list have made it for a handful of reasons: Strong freshman seasons on the varsity level, postseason recognition, involvement with the national pipeline, and 14s club season play. Here are some of the backrow standouts you'll want to get to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891048' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bonds'] – 5'6 OH/DS/L – Pacific / Finesse</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A gritty athlete on the court, Bonds has shown the ability to read attackers well from the back row. She had a solid freshman year with over 140 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909861' first='Ava' last='Chrisco'] – DS/L – Oak Grove</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clean platform, quick reactions, and excellent discipline in serve-receive. Chrisco was an anchor along the back row for an Oak Grove team that went undefeated and finished 3rd in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895344' first='Elowyn' last='Couch'] – 5'9 OH/DS/L – Cor Jesu</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High-motor defender who brings intensity to every rally. She had over 170 digs in her freshman campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909869' first='Lila' last='Gaarder'] – DS/L – St. Teresa's Academy</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Textbook libero instincts, she anticipates well and controls the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909856' first='Sophie' last='Hesse'] – DS/L – Sacred Heart</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steady, reliable, and fearless in coverage. She closed in on 400 digs this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778394' first='Abigail' last='Koelling'] – 5'4 DS/L – Incarnate Word </strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite effort and quickness. Koelling is everywhere defensively. She had 247 digs this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909857' first='Nora' last='Meyerkorth'] – DS/L – West Platte</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reads the game well and handles pressure calmly. She averaged over 10 digs per match for West Platte. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909859' first='Ali' last='Meyers'] – DS/L</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quietly consistent and minimizes errors, and anchors serve-receive. Her stat line was impressive, with around 14 digs per match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909858' first='Londyn' last='Mitchell'] – DS/L – Sikeston</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With fast reactions and a strong pursuit game, Mitchell led Sikeston with just shy of 400 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='789619' first='Isabella' last='Marecek'] – 5'8 DS/L – Ft. Zumwalt West / STL High P</strong>erformance</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High-performance defensive polish with quick feet, sharp angles. She had around 250 digs in her year one. Keep them videos coming, Isabella, we see them!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909860' first='Julie' last='Jenkerson'] – DS/L – Lindbergh</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smart defender who excels in long rallies. Jenkerson had 345 digs for Lindbergh this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897206' first='Tessa' last='Janes'] – 5'8 DS/L – Hannibal</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Efficient platform, great serve-receive composure while tallying close to 500 receptions. Defensively, she dug 282 balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909855' first='Kakyra' last='Spratt'] – DS/L – Clinton</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stingy in serve-receive and covers a huge space. Spratt had 438 digs for Clinton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909880' first='Frankie' last='Vonderahe'] – DS/L – St. Joseph's Academy / STL High P</strong>erformance</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top back-row prospect in the class, Vonderahe exceptionally smooth and athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->