Prep Dig Sizzle Dynamic Defenders

Points scored by a big swing get a lot of glory, but nothing quite lifts an entire team like a big defensive play, whether it is relentless defense or a big block. Defense is only effective when everyone is working on the same page. The blockers need to set their block so the defense can set up around them, and the communication that needs to happen in order to keep the ball from hitting the floor is imperative. Here are some athletes who were undeniably exciting on defense. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-149545" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/Deforest-Halle-Runez.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />[player_tooltip player_id="148972" first="Halle" last="Runez"] – 2022 – 5’4 – Libero - DeForest DeForest is extremely scrappy in all positions, and I bet their practices are intensely competitive. They have some gritty athletes who make some big time contributions especially from the back row. Runez leads a troop of strong defenders with her solid serve-receive and a ton of talk. She is a relentless defender and leads by taking action. [player_tooltip player_id="149044" first="Hannah" last="Soblewski"] – 2023 – 5’1 – Libero - Horicon Soblewski did a great job releasing into her defensive position, and she always seems to get into the best spot to make a great dig. She was a great communicator and showed a ton of hustle. She shows a high volleyball IQ-type player who is one to watch for in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="81261" first="Madisen" last="Miller"] – 2022 – 5’8 – Libero – Appleton North Miller’s style is so consistent and gritty as a libero. She can cover a large area, connects with her teammates, and is always solid on the second contact when needed. Appleton North was doing a lot of different things throughout the Sizzle and is looking to work through a lot of different pieces heading into the season. With a libero like Miller, they are almost always in-system, and she is a really assertive server who can take her team on scoring runs. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/LC-Autumn-Flynn-crop-4313x2832-1626893799.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-149561" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/LC-Autumn-Flynn-crop-4313x2832-1626893799-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="82915" first="Autumn" last="Flynn"] – 2023 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker – Luxemburg-Casco Flynn is connecting with her setter on all tempos right now. She is physical and an extremely active middle who thrives on being in the middle of all the action. Flynn can block with some of the best, and her presence at the net really makes opposing hitters think twice about taking a hard swing. [player_tooltip player_id="118261" first="Ellie" last="Kline"] – 2022 – 5’3 – Libero – Holmen Kline has always been solid in the back row from being really solid on serve-receive to getting in the right position on defense. She is playing with a ton of confidence as well as spunk and energy that infuses her team on every level. Kline plays with a high volleyball IQ and anticipation of the ball. Holmen was firing on all cylinders on the final day of the Sizzle, which could only happen with a clean first contact that Kline provided. If Kline and the Holmen setters can keep supplying to all of their hitters, teams won’t know what to expect, making them a very dangerous squad. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-149547" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/BC-Morgan-Daugherty-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="81253" first="Morgan" last="Daugherty"] – 2022 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker – Brookfield Central (Committed to Marquette) Daugherty is in a league of her own right now when it comes to middle blockers, and Wisconsin should be proud. The future Marquette Golden Eagle plays with quickness, strength, and cheers on her teammates each point, helping to create some great energy. Daugherty is quick from pin to pin, sealing the net to take away most options. Opposing attackers can feel her presence on the court without even seeing her there. [player_tooltip player_id="119395" first="Olivia" last="Lasee"] – 2023 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Appleton North She is physical, has confident body language, and resourcefulness to run a number of routes, Lasee is someone who can really make a difference defensively at the net and can create a lot of problems for opposing hitters. She has a long reach and the muscle to create a formidable block. Lasee was put to the test on Thursday, and she didn’t disappoint. Other Notables: [player_tooltip player_id="117337" first="Alia" last="Schlimgen"] – 2022 – Libero – Sauk Prairie Amber Gonzalez – 2024 – Libero – Mosinee [player_tooltip player_id="119398" first="Ashton" last="Birr"] – 2023 – 5’6 – Libero – Pulaski <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-149548" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/TC-Braelyn-Pionke.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />Braelyn Pionke – 2023 – Middle Blocker – Tri-County Dani Kopacz – 2024 – Outside Hitter – Pewaukee [player_tooltip player_id="91899" first="Gwen" last="Crull"] – 2023 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker – McFarland Jocelyn Feutz – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker - Pulaski [player_tooltip player_id="22384" first="Karissa" last="Kaminski"] – 2022 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – Howards Grove (Committed to Dayton) [player_tooltip player_id="119396" first="Kennedy" last="Schmitz"] – 2023 – 5’2 – Libero – Fox Valley Lutheran Lianna Baxter – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Oconto [player_tooltip player_id="57270" first="Michaela" last="Riege"] – 2022 – 5’7 – Libero - Waterloo Olivia Swenson – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker - Seymour [player_tooltip player_id="82282" first="Saige" last="Damrow"] – 2023 – 5’8 – Libero – Howards Grove (Committed to Wisconsin) Sierra Pertzborn – 2023 – 6’3 – Middle Blocker - Middleton [player_tooltip player_id="81333" first="Stella" last="Zarling"] – 2022 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter – Kettle Moraine Lutheran