2021 Player Rankings: DS Options That Are Still Available
With about a week remaining in the regular season here in Indiana, we still have multiple high-level players available to be signed. Yesterday, the top five middles were featured. Today our focus is on the little defensive specialists that still…
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Continue ReadingWith about a week remaining in the regular season here in Indiana, we still have multiple high-level players available to be signed. Yesterday, the top five middles were featured. Today our focus is on the little defensive specialists that still don’t have a home next fall.
#16: Taylor Lauri Taylor Lauri 5'8" | DS/L Hamilton Southeastern | 2021 State IN , 5-8, Hamilton Southeastern
With Taylor recently sidelined, coach Jason Young said, “We’re really happy to have Taylor back.” This is the coach for the #1 team in the state, still undefeated. That’s how much Miss Lauri means to the Royals for a state title run. She does a little bit of everything, and has been the libero for a 1s team at Circle City for some time now. High-level play, high-level training and high-level coaching accompany Taylor, with the ability to play all three defensive positions.
#23: Lexi Brehl Lexi Brehl 5'8" | DS/L Carmel | 2021 State IN , 5-8, Carmel
Probably the most vocal leader on this list, Lexi is the coach on the floor defensively for the Greyhounds. She passes half the court in serve receive, and needs to; her sectional has four of the top fifteen teams in 4A. Her aggressive nature and never-quit attitude will serve her well once she gets to the next level.
#54: Delaney Needham Delaney Needham 5'6" | DS/L Avon | 2021 State IN , 5-6, Avon
Another top fifteen team in 4A, the Orioles’ libero is learning as she goes. The in-match adjustments she makes are upper-level, as evidenced in her team’s four-set win over McCutcheon. She went from making small errors on defense to being the reason rallies stayed alive by the end of the match, digging youth national team member Chloe Chicoine Chloe Chicoine 5'9" | OH McCutcheon | 2023 State #1 Nation IN with ease. A gym rat by nature, Delaney is a young senior that is already advanced in maturity.
#55: Bella Schumacher Bella Schumacher 5'7" | DS/L Brebeuf Jesuit | 2021 State IN , 5-7, Brebeuf Jesuit
Bella is another that can pass all three positions in serve receive, defend in all three positions in the back row, and can lead a team vocally if needed. Her natural ability, coupled with the fact that she’s been playing for roughly forever, gives her the advantage on an excellent volleyball team.
#65: Asia Crim Asia Crim 5'5" | DS/L Loogootee | 2021 State IN , 5-5, Loogootee
From a non-traditional volleyball school comes Asia Crim Asia Crim 5'5" | DS/L Loogootee | 2021 State IN , the picture of what a DS should look, act and sound like. I don’t have her as high on this list because I haven’t seen her against the best the state has to offer, but her high school and club programs keep winning. And they don’t win by accident. Asia is responsible for more first contacts than the others on this list, and has to make up for some of her teammates’ inability to pass as well.