DS Who Brought the Pressure at the CLUB VT Holiday Bash

As competition intensified at the CLUB VT Holiday Bash, the ability to maintain ball control and extend rallies became a defining factor. This group of defensive specialists and liberos stood out for their discipline, effort, and consistency in first contact. They played a critical role in allowing their teams to stay aggressive offensively while maintaining stability under pressure.   What separated this group was work rate and awareness. Each athlete showed a clear understanding of spacing, timing, and responsibility, proving that defensive impact goes far beyond highlight digs.    Valentina showed excellent court awareness and hustle, covering space effectively in defensive sequences. She stayed engaged through long rallies and worked hard to keep balls in play. Her communication helped maintain structure in the backcourt. She brought energy and consistency to her role. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Brianna impressed with her defensive instincts and ability to control first contact. She stayed composed when targeted and consistently delivered hittable balls in serve receive. Defensively, she read the game well and extended rallies through smart positioning. Her reliability stood out across multiple matches. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Ella brought steady leadership to the backcourt, anchoring serve receive with disciplined footwork and platform control. She stayed calm under pressure and communicated well in defensive systems. Her awareness allowed her to anticipate attacks rather than react late. She provided stability that helped her team stay composed. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Teigan showed strong composure in the backcourt, delivering controlled first contacts and staying balanced defensively. She read hitters well and positioned herself early, allowing her to keep balls playable in fast-paced sequences. Her consistency helped her team reset quickly in transition. She played with confidence and efficiency throughout the event. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast     Victoria demonstrated strong defensive discipline, staying composed in serve receive and making clean plays in transition defense. She tracked hitters well and positioned herself early to control pace. Her consistency allowed her team to stay aggressive offensively. She played with confidence and maturity. ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast    These right-side hitters highlighted the importance of balance and discipline at the CLUB VT Holiday Bash. Each athlete contributed in ways that supported team success beyond just scoring points. Their ability to execute consistently made their teams harder to scout and harder to slow down. This group reinforced the value of strong opposite play in competitive environments.   Note to GA Athletes:   If you'd like to be considered for future coverage, please send me your high school season schedule and share a little bit about yourself so I can come support you and share your story. Let's keep building Georgia volleyball together! Fill out the "Cover My Game" Link in my bio @benchtobeast on IG.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following<a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchtobeast/"> BenchtoBeast</a> for exclusive Georgia content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</h3>   We're on a mission to spotlight talent, uplift families, and bring the volleyball community closer than ever! Huge shoutout to our amazing subscribers — you're the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you for your help growing the game, and making every moment unforgettable. The best is yet to come — let's get it!   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   Building bridges between hustle and opportunity — that's the power of this community!  ~ Samantha Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast

As competition intensified at the CLUB VT Holiday Bash, the ability to maintain ball control and extend rallies became a defining factor. This group of defensive specialists and liberos stood out for their discipline, effort, and consistency in first contact. They played a critical role in allowing their teams to stay aggressive offensively while maintaining stability under pressure.