Top Defensive Players of 2023

<p>The class of 2023 is a group that doesn't act their age.  With many players on older teams, we are really starting to see these athletes separate themselves and draw major attention from scouts.  Here are our top four ranked defenders for the class of 2023 including highlights!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73495" first="Kate" last="Thibault"] -</strong> (cover photo) The small but purposeful player continues a strong tradition of excellence in the family (older sister [player_tooltip player_id="10109" first="Paige" last="Thibault"]; 2021).  She is the youngest athlete on the MN Select 17-1’s team; we have seen her in every position in the back row.  During the high school she was recognized to the All State Honorable mention team with over 200 digs in a short season.  MN Select<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2DXMhf"> highlights</a></p> [caption id="attachment_138937" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FLae9"><img class="wp-image-138937 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/sydney-jaynes-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">Jaynes (21) celebrates bid to nationals with team</span>[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73475" first="Sydney" last="Jaynes"] -</strong> The 5’10’’ Northfield athlete is used as 6 position player for her high school, but on the Northern Lights 17-1 she is strictly focused on defense.  Her height helps her reach and cover more court, but it’s her instincts and disciplined transition footwork that ensure her passes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73487" first="Rylee" last="Nelson"] -</strong>  When she is not setting for her high school team, Zumbrota Mazeppa, Nelson shows off her versatility playing for Northern Lights as a DS.  Her passing on serve receive makes her stand out among the rest of defenders.  We have seen her grow physically too over the last few years.  This is most evident in her strong serving.  The speed of her jump float has given teams across the country lots of problems.</p> <p><video controls="controls" width="300" height="150"> <source src="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FMADM" /></video></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73480" first="Maggie" last="Lile"] - </strong>This tenacious defender is not out of the metro but rather from Spring Grove.  We noticed her at MLK Challenge in Omaha and again at the<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F59Qg"> Ascis President's Day Challenge</a>.  She is on the<em> Southern Minnesota Volleyba</em>ll 16-1's.  Her passes are precise, reactions are quick and style of play in enthusiastic.  Usually she plays middle back and does an excellent job of staying deep allowing her more time to play the ball.</p> [caption id="attachment_138954" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/maggie-lile-crop-543x357-1618425788.jpg"><img class="wp-image-138954 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/maggie-lile-crop-543x357-1618425788-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Lile[/caption] <p>Others to watch as they climb their way to the top, one pass at a time:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135295" first="Sophia" last="Johnson"]</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118209" first="Alexa" last="Melcher"]</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92775" first="Hannah" last="Rich"]</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>