Defensive Players Standing Out This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><strong>More than 150 college coaches shared this article.</strong> <strong>Join PrepDig and get 30% off with code "digdakotas30."</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakota</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense has been a big part of the story for several players this week. The numbers are there, but it's the work behind them that has caught my attention. Reading the attack, covering ground, and turning tough swings into playable touches can quickly change a rally. These defensive players have been doing just that and are putting together a strong stretch of volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941171"],"_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-6aa36b2d17938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='941171' first='Brooke' last='Boecker'] has been all over the back row, and her 123 digs are a good reflection of the amount of ground she's covering. What I've liked most is how early she starts working into position. Boecker reads the attack well, gets herself behind the ball, and can turn a powerful swing into a controlled touch rather than simply popping it back into play. You'll see her read cross-court, beat the ball to the spot, and give her setter something useful. That's the kind of defense that can quickly turn into offense. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887249"],"_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-6aa36b2d179a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='887249' first='Carleigh' last='Rymer'] has shown she can sit in against pace and handle some tough swings. She stays strong through her platform and doesn't shy away when an attacker gets a clean look at the ball. One play I like from Rymer is when she absorbs a hard-driven swing instead of letting the contact take over, keeping the dig on her side and giving her team another chance to run something. With 101 digs already, she's been taking care of a lot of those first defensive touches. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500584"],"_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-6aa36b2d17a00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='500584' first='Sydney' last='Repinski'] brings some serious pursuit to the back row. She doesn't give up on many balls, and that shows when a touch gets deflected or an attack finds space outside of where the defense was originally set. Repinski will chase it down, get underneath it, and find a way to extend the rally. Those aren't always perfect digs to target, but sometimes the best defensive play is simply refusing to let the ball hit the floor. She's up to 90 digs, and that effort has been a consistent part of what she's bringing defensively. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776106"],"_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-6aa36b2d17a47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I like the control [player_tooltip player_id='776106' first='Teagan' last='Taylor'] brings on her first contact. She works to get her platform behind the ball and doesn't try to do too much with the touch, which allows her setter to stay involved instead of chasing down the next ball. Taylor can handle pace, but I've also liked her adjustment when hitters take something off and make the defense move forward. Reading that change and getting underneath the off-speed ball is an important part of defending the entire court. Taylor has collected 84 digs, and there's been some quality behind that number. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["720964"],"_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-6aa36b2d17a93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='720964' first='Mylie' last='Hesse'] stays engaged when rallies start getting long. That's where I've enjoyed watching her because one defensive touch doesn't end her job. She'll make the initial dig, recover, and get herself back into position in case the ball comes her way again. Hesse also shows good effort when a ball gets redirected off the block, and the defense has to react quickly. Her 83 digs are a strong early number, but what stands out to me is how she keeps working through the entire rally. <strong><em>~Theresa@prepdigdakotas</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple: to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. 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