Colorado’s Most Underrated Defensive Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense does not always get the recognition it deserves, but a strong back row can completely change the outcome of a match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across Colorado, several players consistently make difficult plays, control serve receive, and keep rallies alive without always showing up at the top of the stat sheet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of Colorado's most underrated defensive players who continue to make a major impact for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002290"],"_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-6a8499e875767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cadyn Pletkovic is one of those players whose effort and discipline can often go unnoticed, but her impact on the back row is undeniable. Pletkovic provides a steady presence in the back court, combining quick footwork with solid ball control in serve receive. She is especially effective in middle back, where she reads the play well and covers a lot of court defensively. Pletkovic has impressive range, and as she continues to develop over the next few years, she has the potential to emerge as one of the top liberos in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["956243"],"_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-6a8499e87581b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinley Davis is a quick defensive specialist who provides a different look for her team in the back row. Davis reads the play exceptionally well and anticipates where the ball is going, allowing her to put herself in the best position to make difficult defensive plays. What stands out most is her fierce mentality, as she refuses to let a ball hit the floor without giving all out effort - a quality coaches cannot teach. Davis combines that relentless mindset with discipline and a quick first step, giving her the ability to cover ground and consistently make big plays for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917121"],"_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-6a8499e8758d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tailey Sengdara is an emerging defensive specialist who continues to show the ability to compete at the next level. Sengdara has steadily improved each season and is coming off a successful club year where she continued to develop her all around defensive game. She anchors the back row with excellent ball control in serve receive and provides a scrappy defensive presence, especially in middle back. Sengdara reads opposing hitters well and consistently puts herself in the right position to make difficult plays and keep rallies alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":1020330,"_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-6a8499e875956"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Addie Lombardo is an athlete college coaches should have on their radar. Lombardo is fun to watch, bringing high energy and athleticism to the court while consistently making a difference for her team. She has shown the ability to play beyond her years, competing up in the 18s age group and holding her own against older competition. Defensively, Lombardo combines strong IQ with her speed and court coverage, reading opposing hitters well and making big time plays to keep rallies alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792611"],"_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-6a8499e8759d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke Wildhagen is a high impact defensive specialist poised to make a major impact for her high school team this fall. Wildhagen moves effortlessly across the court, taking up a lot of space in serve receive while using her ability to read opposing hitters to put herself in position to make big defensive plays. She also provides consistency in out of system situations, delivering quality balls and giving her hitters opportunities to score. Wildhagen's combination of ball control, court coverage, and defensive instincts makes her a steady presence in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->