’26 Defenders You Need To See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hope everyone is kicking off their fall season with fun and a fresh start to the year. A fresh start but the grind to be the best continues. Here are five defenders who are showcasing their gritty play and you need to see them in action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["199396"],"_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-66c823d239ce6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh off a solid club season, Kraft is a smooth defender and reads the play really well. She always manages to get in the right spot and keeps her team in system. Kraft will kick off every play with a well placed pass even if she is taking half the court. She has exceptional footwork and keeps a quiet platform. Kraft trains with Northern Lights so you know she is getting better with every practice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358686"],"_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-66c823d239d59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brundage makes very smart moves on the court that keep her looking calm and controlled. I'm sure her brain is actually processing a whole lot of information at break neck speeds. Brundage gets her feet to every ball and she knows an offspeed ball is coming before the attacker even knows they are going to execute the shot. She plays with a really high level IQ and can play exceptional backrow no matter where she is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207306"],"_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-66c823d239d9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson plays with a lot of physicality and strength in each play. She takes a fast first step to the ball and creates a great platform to put the ball in play. Johnson isn't afraid to use her hands or throw her body around to fuel her team's fire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["229011"],"_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-66c823d239dd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keaveny is a highly versatile player. She can take smart shots as a six-rotation pin hitter or anchor the 1st contact as the libero. Keaveny has great placement with her serve and has the competitive drive of a high-level athlete. She is a determined defender who doesn't quit until her team has won.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211208"],"_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-66c823d239e0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burns moves smoothly across the floor and she knows how to command the floor like a general. Her training has helped her consistently improve and take control of matches with her first contact. Burns will not hesitate to take half the floor on serve receive and be a master communicator for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Defenders to See</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='385676' first='Elexis' last='West'] - Farmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261247' first='Kyla' last='Hellickson'] - Fillmore Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='273233' first='Abigail' last='Rolbiecki'] - Minneota</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='364663' first='Casey' last='Chapman'] - East Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='348384' first='Kailey' last='Gieske'] - White Bear Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='447954' first='Brooklyn' last='Weise'] - Holy Family Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='251394' first='Emily' last='Wagner'] - Eastview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='447953' first='Amilya' last='Pacheco'] - Spring Lake Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='227612' first='Vivien' last='Affeldt'] - Minnehaha Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='348383' first='Novilie' last='Clark'] - Chaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->