Opening Weekend’s Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With some great matchups throughout the state over the first week of play, liberos and defenders were heavily tested.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at seven dig machines that put the rest of the state on notice over the last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stats provided by MaxPreps and Hudl</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'], Sr. Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armstrong is facing some of the best hitters in the state and coming through with timely digs. She had an impressive 21-dig performance in a three-set win over Harper Creek and is up to 108 over 19 sets on the young season. Hudsonville is working through some new hitters, so having Armstrong be able to perform at a high level is a key for the Eagles to develop their offense. So far, she's holding up her end of things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'], Jr. Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark has already proven to be a big dig producer for Lowell over her first two years with the Red Arrows. She's off to a nice start in 2024 with 51 digs over 10 sets during play in Grand Haven. She was up against some serious power arms and showed her poise and experience to keep the ball in play. Clark looks very composed and comfortable. She's going to push to be one of the state's dig leaders this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aaliyah Jamison, So. Whitehall</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamison has been very busy in the back row for Whitehall. Through 22 sets, she's racked up 113 digs already. That included 51 over the weekend at Western Michigan Christian. Jamison is staying very active on her feet and doing a good job of anticipating the play. It's an encouraging start for a young defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Haley Mach, Sr. Jonesville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mach looked in midseason form when Jonesville kicked of the new year at the St. Philip Invite. The senior put up 65 digs over 13 sets, averaging five per set. Included in that was 15 digs in two sets with Garden City. She moved with purpose and didn't get caught out of position often. Mach shows good leadership skills, directing the defense well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'], Jr. Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ostrander opened a lot of eyes to her play last fall with over 650 digs as a sophomore. She's off to a good start in 2024, putting up 68 digs over 16 sets while leading her team to seven wins. Ostrander has been keeping her offense in-system with clean passing and smooth serve receive. She looks very confident on the floor, which bodes well as Eisenhower keeps facing some powerful offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jocee Pleune, Sr. Grant</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleune was one of the top performers this past weekend in Newaygo, as she racked up 85 digs over 17 sets. Pleune got a chance to see opponents more than once and adjusted well the second time around to make some tough digs and lead her team to narrow victories. She brings a good energy to the floor and is going to rack up the digs quickly this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='400329' first='Izzy' last='Sturtevant'], Sr. Mona Shores</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sturtevant was locked in during play in Traverse City, putting up 56 digs over nine sets. Mona Shores picked up some solid wins and Sturtevant's play was a big reason why. She was all over the court, putting up an impressive 21 digs against Byron Center and 15 against TC Central. She made some challenging digs look relatively easy and her instincts were on point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->