Playing Up: Floor Defenders Playing Up An Age Group (Or More)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want a subscription to PrepDig? Use code Kyp30 for 30% off of your annual subscription! And don't forget to follow @KypPDIN on X for all of your Indiana high school and club volleyball news!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I do not envy college recruiting coordinators. To sift through the thousands of emails, videos and courts at every conceivable tournament to find the <em>perfect</em> class of recruits in this age of volleyball can be overwhelming. Luckily, Indiana has a bevy of kids not only dominating their respective positions, but those that overachieve to the point of playing up an age group. Here are five floor defenders from around the Hoosier State that have made playing with bigger, stronger and faster kids look easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["745336"],"_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-6a19e8997c76d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best pure defenders in any class, Gabby is playing as a three-rotation defensive specialist for the top 16s team in the state of Indiana. Calm under fire, Miss Bassett has been around high-end, open-level volleyball that the game has slowed down for her. Smooth and fluid in her footwork and awareness, Gabby is an essential addition to the 16 Purple squad at Circle, even though she could easily wear the libero jersey in her true age group at most other clubs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725569"],"_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-6a19ebda6afc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The embarrassment of riches at the libero position at Carroll explains the two-time defending 4A state championship trophies currently residing in a Charger trophy case. Jocelyn, the heir apparent to Carroll's <em>current</em> libero (see below), has length, exceptional read-and-react instincts and can pass half the court in serve receive at any time to take the pressure off of her fellow passers. The smooth nature to her play looks innate, and the lack of worry when she's in the game is completely evident on her teammates' faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["562298"],"_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-6a19ebda6affe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I cannot stress this enough—-to already have international training and playing experience at such a young age is indispensable. Cala has that experience in droves, and her matter-of-fact demeanor when playing oozes confidence and commitment to the grind that is volleyball training. No other singular libero in the state, in any class, can do what Cala does for the top 17s squad in the state, and multiple Power Four coaches have more than taken notice this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586405"],"_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-6a19ebda6b023"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yorktown has never been accused of being “tall”. That being said, why do the Tigers consistently find themselves in the top five in 4A in the state? Insert exceptional ball control, of which Chloe starts and ends any conversation to Yorktown's success. Fast-forward to this spring, and you can find Miss Ritchie on Munciana's Samurai, playing up TWO whole age groups to compete in the toughest schedule for any 18s squad in Indiana. She's worth the watch when her squad plays, and she can control and manipulate her fellow teammates on defense like an additional coach on the court. Playing with maturity well beyond her years, Chloe is yet another from Libero High School that will see Power Four playing time sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["846651"],"_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-6a19ebda6b043"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing up a year on Academy's Yeti, Payten has that on-fire mentality when it comes to defense. Constantly around the ball in serve receive, floor defense, hitter coverage and out-of-system setting, Miss Osborn is a must-have when starting a solid DS/libero cadre on any Division 1 roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->