Addie Murray Has 283 Digs — Who Else Is Carrying the Back Row

The best defenders often make difficult plays look less difficult than they actually were.   They move before the swing. They understand what the block is taking away. They hold their platform instead of reaching at the last second, and they communicate early enough that two passers aren't both discovering the same seam after the ball has already landed.   These five are carrying a lot of that work for their teams.    Junior Addie Murray has handled a large amount of Harvester Christian's first contact, and that's where I think her value is clearest.   Addie looks comfortable taking responsibility for space. Good serve-receive players aren't simply technically sound; they also make the passers beside them more comfortable because everyone understands who owns which ball. Her defensive volume suggests Harvester trusts her to cover a significant portion of the floor, and the next step is continuing to turn more of those touches into controlled balls rather than simply playable ones. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Junior Lannah Scarborough brings a useful calmness to Oglethorpe County's back row.   What I like about Lannah is her ability to make something productive happen after the dig. She's shown she can step in and deliver the next ball when the setter is removed from the play, and that's a subtle but important skill for a libero or defensive specialist. The best back-row players don't just save the rally; they help organize what happens next. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Senior libero Bailey Loosier plays with the kind of steadiness that comes from repetition.   Bailey's value is less about dramatic floor burns and more about being where ACE expects her to be. Experienced liberos make offenses faster because setters begin trusting that certain balls will arrive in certain areas. That consistency allows hitters to start their approaches confidently rather than waiting to see whether first contact will be usable. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Senior [player_tooltip player_id='792705' first='Cailey' last='Leister'] shows good persistence in long matches. Her defensive performances suggest she is comfortable seeing the same hitter over and over, adjusting to what that player is trying to do and continuing to make reads late into a fifth set.   I also like Cailey's ability to change mentality once she reaches the service line. Defenders spend much of the match reacting to what the opponent does. Serving lets her become the aggressor. Being comfortable with both roles gives Johnson Ferry a back-row player who isn't passive simply because her primary job is defense. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga     Eighth-grader Rebekah Bentley is learning varsity defense earlier than most players ever have to.   What stands out isn't that every contact is perfect — that wouldn't be realistic. It's that Rebekah is already being exposed to varsity pace, tougher serves and hitters who understand how to attack young defenders. That experience forces her to develop courage as much as technique. A defender has to be willing to get targeted and still present the same platform on the next serve. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga    Defense often looks simple once it's done well.   That's the trick.   Addie is learning to command space. Lannah helps turn broken plays into usable ones. Bailey gives ACE predictable first contact, Cailey adjusts through long matches and Rebekah is developing those habits much earlier than most players.   Their value isn't just getting the ball off the floor.   It's making the next contact easier.   Follow Prep Dig Georgia for post-match evaluations, rankings coverage and continued reporting throughout the 2026 GHSA season.   Note to GA Athletes:   If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! Fill out the "Cover My Game" Link in my bio @benchtobeast-prepdigga on IG.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchtobeast/">  BenchtoBeast_prepdigga</a>  for exclusive Georgia content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</h3>   We're on a mission to spotlight talent, uplift families, and bring the volleyball community closer than ever! Huge shoutout to our amazing subscribers — you're the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you for your help growing the game, and making every moment unforgettable. The best is yet to come — let's get it!   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   Work hard, Play hard. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga

The best defenders often make difficult plays look less difficult than they actually were.