Revisiting the Top 8 KC Metro 2021 Uncommitted Defenders
If you recall from June, we took our uncommitted defender list to 8 since technically two positions are covered in this group. Today we look back at who we deemed were the top KC Metro 2021 defenders not yet to…
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Continue ReadingIf you recall from June, we took our uncommitted defender list to 8 since technically two positions are covered in this group. Today we look back at who we deemed were the top KC Metro 2021 defenders not yet to select a school. Here are what the 8 have been up to in addition to three more having good senior seasons.
Aly Gurtiza Aly Gurtiza 5'8" | DS/L Lee's Summit West | 2021 State MO – Lee’s Summit West High School
We have to assume she is uncommitted by choice at this time. She is easily one of the top defenders in the state. We watch her take missiles and get them up for her team to rally. A two-time all-state selectee is well on her way to being a 3-time honoree. She recently passed the 1000 career dig mark and has over 200 on the season.
Presli Firkins Presli Firkins 5'4" | DS/L Platte County | 2021 State MO – Platte County High School
Firkins missed the first week of the season and is back to her typical self on the court. No coincidence upon her return the team was back to their winning ways. She continues to show her court awareness with her 180 digs this fall.
Lexie Smither Lexie Smither 5'9" | OH West Platte | 2021 State MO – West Platte High School
Smither is one of those players who plays one position and high school and another in club due to personnel. She will be a solid defender on the collegiate level. This fall for West Platte she has 72 kills and 79 digs in only 24 sets. She looks to repeat her all-state season from a year ago.
Aleena Peterson – Lutheran High School
Peterson does a lot for her team. She hits and plays defense as seen with her 119 kills and 140 digs this fall. She pans out as a defensive player at the next level. She is closing in on the 1000 career dig mark and should earn it in the next match or two.
Anna Christenson – Blue Springs High School
Blue Springs is off to another good year and their defense continues to shine in the process. They boast one of the better back rows in the state. Christenson is having another good year in digs and receptions. In her senior campaign, she has 180 digs and 324 receptions.
Madison Krier – Excelsior Springs High School
The Tigers haven’t produced many wins in the first half of the season but Krier has been a bright spot with her defense. She has 143 digs on the year, including a season-high 27 last match out. This is after a 26 dig performance the match prior.
Ashlyn Long – Pleasant Hill High School
The senior is working hard to get to that 1000 dig mark this fall. She continues to display her talents for Pleasant Hill as they make a run to a return trip to the state tournament. She has 154 digs to lead the team.
Abigail Day – Park Hill South High School
We highlighted Day last week and her leadership regarding a battle with her school administration over a t-shirt. South has missed a couple of weeks of their season and is playing catch-up on their schedule. As a steady 6 rotation player, she can potentially play both hitter and defender depending on the program. She has 63 kills and 106 digs on the season. She is less than 40 digs away from 1000 in her career.
Some additions:
Kayla Smocks – St. Teresa’s Academy
We featured Smocks last week in our players to pass the eye test this fall. She has been strong defensively for St. Teresa’s in 2020. The latest stats haven’t been updated but she should be over 200 digs now for the season. She had a career-high 37 in a win over Bishop Miege.
Megan Hoover Megan Hoover OH Park Hill | 2021 State MO – Park Hill High School
Hoover has had a strong senior season for Park Hill. She took over the libero job near the end of last season and has shown she can play at the next level. She has 208 digs this season and is passing at a good rate in serve and receive. She also has 19 aces served.
Rylee Staatz – Liberty North High School
Liberty North is off to a 12-0 start this season. Staatz has emerged as one of the better defenders across the city in her final season. They have two matches not updated with stats but she should be right around the 200 digs mark this season. She had a 29 dig performance in a 5 set win over Lee’s Summit West.