The Top Five Defensive Players of 2023
With many focuses on the upperclassmen, it is easy to look past the younger players that contribute heavily for their teams. Most of these players play for already-young teams, so we can expect a lot from these players over the…
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Continue ReadingWith many focuses on the upperclassmen, it is easy to look past the younger players that contribute heavily for their teams. Most of these players play for already-young teams, so we can expect a lot from these players over the next two seasons. However, the class of 2023 has a lot of talented defensive players, so let’s take a closer look at the top five defensive statistical leaders:
- Bella Uzzle, DS, Hillsboro
– Uzzle contributed well for her high school team, which finished with a 16-7 record to the season. She averaged 7.8 digs/set, with a season-high 41 digs in a 3-2 win over Festus. Uzzle finished the season leading her team in digs, picking up 572 digs throughout the season. - Trista Torres, DS, Greenfield
– Torres had a lot of playing time this season as her school team fought to an 18-12-3 overall record. With a relatively young team, Greenfield relied on Torress heavily as she averaged 7.8 digs/set, with a season-high 37 digs in the team’s 3-1 win over Appleton City/Montrose. Leading her team in digs, Torres set the pace for her high school career, earning 533 digs in her first recorded season. - Reese Gray, OH, Lesterville
– Gray, a 6-rotation outside hitter, contributed heavily on both offense and defense for her high school team, which finished with a 24-11-2 record. Defensively, she was the team leader in digs as she finished with 486 digs on the season. With a season-high 27 digs in a 3-0 win over South Iron, Gray has already established herself as a well-rounded player with a bright future. - Madison Ayers, OH, South Iron (Annapolis)
– With a very young and small roster, South Iron utilized Ayers in every way possible. With big numbers on offense and especially defense, Ayers contributed 442 digs to South Iron, as they finished their season at 19-7-3. The statistical team leader in digs, Ayers willed her team to a 3-2 win over Winona where she picked up a season-high 37 digs. - Melanie Barrett, DS, Hillcrest (Springfield)
– Barrett seemed to be the team’s workhorse this season, averaging 6.8 digs/set to add to her collect 436 digs in the season. In a five-set back-and-forth battle against Waynesville, Barrett picked up a season-high 52 digs.
A few other notable sophomore defensive players are: Taylor Jones (Galena), Addison Stockton (Miller), Summer Kenney (Stockton), Neveah Malawey (Winona), and Olivia Shipps (Drexel).