Four 2026 Region 9 defensive specialists on the rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 9th Region is loaded with solid diggers and these four look to add to that tradition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540518"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Reckers stepped into a big role for the Thoroughbreds spending a lot of time in the Libero role. Continuously improved throughout the season. Does a great job reading serves and hits, putting herself in solid position to make nice passes to start the offensive rhythm. Reckers finished second behind older sister Kori in both digs with 334 and aces with 63, helping the Thoroughbreds to 17 wins for the first time since 2017.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["276170"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gessner played the Libero role all season for the Bluebirds in her third season on varsity and looks to have a similar defensive specialist role during the club season. Balls hit near her do not land easily as she does a great job hustling to the best of her ability. Constantly moves around the court trying to be in position for blocks and tips. Gessner has nice timing on her jump serves. Gessner led Highlands with 474 digs and finished second with 41 aces helping Highlands finish 20-16 and earn a seventh straight 36th District championship.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":496882,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Maggie Dawson","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Beechwood","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"NKJV 16 White","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernHas nice positioning on hard-hit balls to make solid first contacts. Excellent motion and movement on her serves. Recorded a team-high 453 digs helping the Tigers to a 25-13 record and first appearance in the 9th Region Tournament since 2017. Also finished third on team with 50 aces.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":496895,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Caroline Tabeling","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Saint Henry","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"NKYVC 16-2 Tide","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Expected to have bigger role next year with the graduation of six seniors including sister Elizabeth, who also plays for NKYVC. Finished a quiet sixth for the Crusaders this past year with 94 digs on a loaded team that finished 31-9 overall winning an All u0022Au0022 State championship, a 34th District title and finished 9th Region Tournament runner-up.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6590face10019"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->