Seven 7th Region Defensive Specialists to Watch this fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For years, private powers Assumption and Sacred Heart have formed a wall in this region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The arch-rivals look to reload per usual in the offseason all over the floor, especially at defensive specialist. However, others defensive specialists hope to help close that gap this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172945"],"_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_1_player":"","_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":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66515fbd68f39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simon is ultra competitive out there on the floor going after every ball with every fiber in her body, hence the reason for winning the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Defensive Player of the Year honor. She constantly shuffles her feet while reading hitters then squares up her body with balls to make solid passes. Simon does not hid behind blocks. Diving on her knees is second nature for the Wisconsin commit. Simon also possesses a tough line drive serve. Simon had 475 digs, 38 aces and 66 assists to help Assumption to a state record 23rd state championship last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212396"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66515fbd68fc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keiran only hopes to see her numbers grow this year for the Rockets. Keiran is not only a sound athlete, she has great instincts allowing her to sidestep to balls and make excellent passes. Keiran positions herself well with blockers consistently hustling to the net after passes to guard against blocked balls. Keiran is also tough to dig up on serves when she hits her targets. Keiran led the Assumption JV team to an undefeated season as the starting libero in 2022. That helped her earn an invitation to practice with the varsity by Hall of Fame head coach Ron Kordes, which is not often for freshmen. Keiran had 201 digs and finished second on the team with 43 aces helping Assumption to the 23rd state championship in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Charlotte Moyer","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Sacred Heart","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Union Volleyball Club","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66515fbd690ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moyer has wide range when it comes to tracking balls down. Moyer places herself well under balls to make simple forward passes. She is not afraid to slide to balls when necessary. Moyer is sure to put hands on tough balls guiding them back toward the net to keep plays alive. Moyer had 191 digs in the fall helping the Valkyries to a 28-11 record, a 27th District crown and 7th Region runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":532990,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kennedy Dawson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"DuPont Manual","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"MidAmerica Volleyball Association","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_player":"","_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":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66515fbd691d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson does a great job hustling after balls consistently moving her feet. Dawson brings a lot of enthusiasm to the court. Dawson said she hopes to see her serve receive improve tremendously before her senior year. Dawson finished second for the Crimsons with 184 digs and third with 46 aces leading Manual to a 25th District championship and 7th Region semifinal appearance. Dawson had 315 digs as a sophomore helping Manual to a 7th Region runner-up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750447"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66516a0fc1889"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helander is one of the many players with experience giving the Bruins a lot of optimism this fall. Helander squares her arms with smoked balls to make solid passes. It is tough to tip on her because she hustles to them and dives on her knees when she has to. Helander also has a tough serve. Helander had 315 digs and 57 aces leading the Bruins to a 26-10 record and spot in the 7th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479282"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66516a0fc18d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oswald is showing she can dig up the best hitters in the state. Oswald covers a lot of ground, especially the far corners. Her hustle plays give her team a chance on every point. Oswald makes nice passes on all types of hits. Oswald may be asked to set more this fall for CAL with the graduation of her older sister. Oswald had 261 digs and 25 aces, helping the Centurions to a 22-7 record, a 28th District championship and a spot in the 7th Region semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479290"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66516a0fc1a20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">People overlook the first touches on balls, but Smith masters them on serve receives and passes with solid technique. Setters do not have to move far to handle her passes. Smith dives after balls reading opposing hitters and backing up blockers. She makes nice sets toward the net when necessary. Smith had 300 digs helping the Bearcats to a 15-10 record and All "A" 7th Region championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->