Updated 2021 Rankings: The Defensive Specialists

<p>After being named the state’s top defensive player in back-to-back years, Mercy defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id="68066" first="Eleanor" last="Beavin"] occupies the top spot in the updated Class of 2021 rankings. </p> <p>As a junior in the 2019 high school volleyball season, Beavin recorded 679 digs, 116 assists and 89 service aces for state runner-up Mercy. A longtime leader for defending 6th Region Champion Mercy, Beavin is poised to compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) after high school. Choosing to remain in-state and attend college close to home while furthering her education and volleyball career, Beavin has committed to the University of Kentucky.</p> <p>The top player from Western Kentucky, Central Hardin defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id="68068" first="Kelsey" last="Brangers"] is ranked third in the Class of 2021 rankings. Also choosing to remain close to home when it comes time to head off to college, Brangers has committed to Conference USA member Western Kentucky University. Brangers thrived for 5th Region runner-up Central Hardin throughout the 2019 high school volleyball season, registering 561 digs, 124 assists and 54 service aces. </p> <p>Both Beavin and Brangers were First Team All-State selections following the conclusion of the 2019 high school volleyball season. </p> <p>A pair of defensive specialists from reigning state champion Assumption cracked the Class of 2021 rankings’ Top 10 as [player_tooltip player_id="68070" first="Jenny" last="Wessling"] and [player_tooltip player_id="68071" first="Crew" last="Hoffmeier"] are ranked sixth and seventh, respectively. Wessling, who has committed to High Point University, led Assumption in digs in 2019 and will be among the Rockets' leaders during the upcoming prep volleyball campaign. Committed to Virginia Commonwealth University, Hoffmeier is poised to deliver often for Assumption during her senior season as well. </p> <p>Dunbar defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id="68081" first="Caroline" last="Cole"] is ranked 19th in the Class of 2021 rankings. Cole, who has committed to Kennesaw State University, helped to pace Dunbar throughout the 2019 season as the Bulldogs claimed a 43rd District championship and finished as the 11th Region runner-up. Cole was a Second Team All-State selection at the conclusion of the 2019 prep volleyball season. </p> <p>Additional defensive specialists listed in the Class of 2021 rankings are [player_tooltip player_id="68097" first="Beka" last="Sergent"] (Simon Kenton, 36), [player_tooltip player_id="103831" first="Madilyn" last="O’Toole"] (Assumption, 42), [player_tooltip player_id="68105" first="Sicilia" last="Friend"] (Madison Central, 48), [player_tooltip player_id="103839" first="Lucy" last="Malone"] (Sacred Heart, 58) and [player_tooltip player_id="68114" first="Alivia" last="Stumbo"] (60, Floyd Central).</p> <p>Among the leaders for Simon Kenton, a perennial title contender out of Northern Kentucky, Sergent logged 394 digs, 203 kills, 45 assists and 53 service aces as a junior in 2019. Versatile, Sergent can contribute as both a defensive specialist and a right side hitter. </p> <p>Defense has been known to win championships and senior defensive specialists are among the top high school volleyball players in Kentucky. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>