2028 Rankings: These Defenders Keep Showing Up

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">More than 150 college coaches shared this article. Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakota</a>   We've spent a lot of time with the 2028 class over the past year, and there are some back-row players who have made themselves impossible to miss.   They don't all defend the same way, either. Some seem to be in the right spot before the ball is hit. Some can take over a serve-receive pattern, while others cover an incredible amount of court and refuse to let a rally end. It's the reads, the first contact, the communication, and the consistency that have kept these names in the conversation.   With another high school season here, these are the 2028 defenders I'm looking forward to watching again.    [player_tooltip player_id='932585' first='Kaitryn' last='Evans'] is the defender I notice because she makes many good decisions before she ever touches the ball. She reads what's developing, gets herself into position, and plays behind a controlled platform. She's not chasing everything at the last second. Evans can court to serve receive, and defensively she has a knack for keeping hard-driven balls from becoming automatic points. There's a steadiness to her back-row game that I trust. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='932598' first='Nylah' last='Vannelli'] competes for everything back there. She covers ground, plays with urgency, and will go get the ball when it starts drifting outside the area you expect a defender to handle. What I've come to appreciate is that she doesn't just touch difficult balls—she gives her team a chance to do something with them. Vannelli plays defense like she expects to keep the rally going, and that mentality shows up over and over. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Taysia Blom has a calmness in first contact that gets my attention. She doesn't overplay the ball or make unnecessary movements with her platform. She gets there, holds her angle, and lets the contact do the work. That becomes especially valuable in serve receive, where consistency can completely change what an offense can run. Blom isn't trying to make the back row look flashy. She's trying to make it clean. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='753830' first='Roxana' last='Sabby'] can cover some court. There are balls that look like they're headed for the open floor, and suddenly she's underneath them. Her range is a big piece of her game, but I also like how quickly she resets after making the first play. Sabby gets back on her feet, finds the next hitter, and stays connected to the rally. That second effort is where a good defender can steal a point, and Sabby gives you plenty of it. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='745865' first='Haylee' last='Johnson'] plays with a toughness I want in the back row. She isn't bothered by pace coming at her, and she'll stand firm against a hard-driven attack instead of bailing out of the play. Johnson reads well, keeps her platform strong, and can absorb some quite heavy contact without sending the ball flying. She gives you a defender who looks comfortable when the match gets fast, and that's usually when I pay even closer attention. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     [player_tooltip player_id='753590' first='Lyric' last='Otto'] understands that defense starts with seeing the game. Watch her between contacts, and she's constantly adjusting where the block is set, where the hitter is approaching, and what part of the court has been left available. That anticipation helps her position herself underneath balls instead of always having to chase them. Otto also communicates, which matters in a back row where three players have to know exactly who owns what. She plays with awareness, not just reaction. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas     Briley Laber has the kind of motor that can frustrate an attacker. One good swing doesn't necessarily end the rally when she's back there. She stays after balls, works through coverage, and is willing to make the uncomfortable play to keep the rally alive. But it isn't just effort. Laber has become better at controlling those touches and giving her setter something to work with. There's a difference between making a great dig and creating the next attack, and she's showing more of the latter. ~Theresa@prepdigdakotas    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to highlight athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to pursue their passion for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at PrepDig.com. With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!   The village, along with athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers, creates this journey.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman</h4>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</h3>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image-8-2.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1020878" /></figure>

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