<p>Of the positions that we break down regularly here on PD, none are more taken for granted that the first-contact queens. Every last one of the floor defenders, in any class, are assumed to be the best at all times, and can never make errors. Here are five from the class of '25 that not only caught my eye, but should catch the attention of many recruiters very, very soon.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152932" first="Bella" last="Dafforn"], 5-3, Lawrence North, Team Indiana</strong></p>
<p>Of the five listed today, no libero has seen more improvement or done more for their respective squad than Miss Dafforn. She makes defending look easy and smooth, and always seems to be in the right spot. Excelling at the left-back, she takes long strides to cover a far wider radius than most, and nearly every contact is right to target. Already wearing the special jersey for the Wildcats, Bella is the lead-by-example defender that coaches covet.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152933" first="Kennedy" last="Cherry"], 5-7, Hamilton Heights, Boiler Juniors</strong></p>
<p>The 'bro for one of the best 15s teams in Indiana, Kenndy is fast, quick, always around the ball, and is relentless in her work ethic. She's the first contact for almost every ball, and is the chief reason why her 15-1s at Boiler Juniors have finished top ten in the open division of both the Mideast and Northeast Qualifiers. She's also responsible for winning the Cincy AAU Grand Prix just recently, too. This kid knows winning, work ethic and high pressure matches. </p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="173239" first="Avery" last="Freeman"], 5-2, Bloomington North, Circle City</strong></p>
<p>I first saw Avery at the Shootout at Capitol Sports Center back in January. She's another workhorse with the special jersey on, and takes more floor in serve receive than any of the others on this list, despite being the smallest. With multiple qualifications in open at Windy City and MEQ, it's no wonder the top passer in the class of '25 at Circle will be playing at GJNC's in Indy in late June. And she's just getting started.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152936" first="Lexi" last="Gin"], 5-6, Brebeuf, Munciana</strong></p>
<p>Following in the footsteps of fellow Brave <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110498" first="Lola" last="Schumacher"] ('24, 5-4 DS/L),</strong> Brebeuf (and Munciana) will be anchored in serve receive for many years to come. Lexi is on the same 16s team as Lola, albeit in a three-rotation capacity. Is that all? Not really. She started the state championship match back in November with a 15 point run behind the service line, leading to raising the big trophy at the end. Lexi stays on her feet longer than most, is smooth with her contact and is always around the ball. This is a no-doubt defender if there ever was one, and she ain't done yet.</p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172320" first="Chloe" last="Hunter"], 5-2, Franklin Central, Academy</strong></p>
<p>A hybrid of a player, Chloe has seen a ton of time as a setter as well, both in club and in high school. Her first contact is just as skilled as her second, and always seems to be around the ball in any setting. I'd like to see more of her first-contact abilities next fall, but for now, she can be either a setter or a libero at the next level for a small school that needs both in the same recruit.</p>
