THE NEXT WAVE: 2028 DS/LIB Watchlist Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best back-row players always seem to be one step ahead!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great defender can change the feel of an entire rally. They keep tough balls alive, steady the first contact, and give their team another chance to score. However, it takes more than simply getting a hand on the ball. Reading, movement, communication, and consistency all matter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This DS/Lib watchlist features five players who continue to catch our attention. Each one brings a different style to the back row, but they all find ways to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='532676' first='Toryn' last='Dempsey']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["532676"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa9c6529c3c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dempsey is starting to make herself known as a steady presence in the back row. She brings confidence to first contact and continues to look comfortable handling pressure. Additionally, she stays connected to the play instead of waiting for the ball to come directly to her. That readiness allows her to react when rallies change quickly. As her game continues to develop, Dempsey is showing the kind of consistency that can push a defender into the next wave of players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='800782' first='Al' last='Hernandez']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["800782"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa9c6529c476"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hernandez is putting together the kind of defensive production that gets our attention. She currently has 70 digs and averages 4.4 digs per set, giving her team a reliable option in the back court. More importantly, she continues finding ways to make difficult balls playable and extend rallies. That defensive presence can create another opportunity for her offense to transition and score. Hernandez is showing that she has the production and competitiveness to keep moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='752221' first='Taylor' last='Dolan']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["752221"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa9c6529c53e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dolan continues to build her game around dependable first contact. She moves with purpose in the back row and works to put herself in a strong position before the ball arrives. Furthermore, she understands how important communication is when building a strong defensive unit. Her ability to stay organized and connected with the players around her gives her team more stability. As she continues developing those fundamentals, Dolan is becoming another name to keep on the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1000210' first='Camila' last='Rivera Martinez']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1000210"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa9c6529c5d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1000210' first='Camila' last='Rivera Martinez'] brings a controlled presence to the back court. She does a nice job staying balanced through contact and working her platform toward the target. Additionally, she shows discipline with her movement and does not let rushed plays pull her completely out of position. That control becomes especially valuable when rallies speed up and the ball starts moving quickly. Martinez continues to show how strong fundamentals can create a dependable defender, and she is a player we will be watching as the next wave develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='956243' first='Kinley' last='Davis']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa9c6529c659"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis brings plenty of range to the back row. She is willing to chase down difficult balls and continues looking for ways to extend the rally. However, her athleticism is only part of the picture. Davis also shows an understanding of where the ball is going and works to get herself into position early. That combination of anticipation and pursuit allows her to cover a lot of space defensively. With that range and awareness continuing to develop, Davis is another player who could keep making noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Next Wave</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next wave of defenders is already starting to take shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each player has a different strength, but that is exactly what makes this group exciting to follow. As the season continues, we will be watching how these defenders develop and whether they continue pushing themselves into the next conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, player features, recruiting content, rankings, and more, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->