Skip to content
Prep Dig Choose a State
California Florida Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Michigan Minnesota Missouri National Nebraska New Jersey Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin
  • Become a Prospect
  • Get Educated
  • National
    • Coverage
    • 2022 Rankings
    • 2023 Rankings
    • 2024 Rankings
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Prep Dig Circuit
Log In Subscribe
  • Iowa
  • Rankings
    • Archived Rankings

    • 2023 Rankings

    • 2024 Rankings

  • Player Database
  • Scouts
Prep Dig
  • Home
  • States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • National
    • Nebraska
    • New Jersey
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin
  • Become a Prospect
  • Get Educated
  • National
    • Coverage
    • 2022 Rankings
    • 2023 Rankings
    • 2024 Rankings
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Prep Dig Circuit
Help
Login Subscribe

Postseason Position Recap: Defensive Specialists

Postseason Position Recap: Defensive Specialists
Austin Kingsley
Austin Kingsley July 16 @ 11:25 AM
Facebook
Twitter

In this article:

Olivia Lombardi
Olivia Lombardi 5'7" | DS/L
IA
Ella Meyer
Ella Meyer 5'5" | DS/L
IA
Olivia Hasbrook
Olivia Hasbrook 5'8" | DS/L
MO
Gretel Robbins
Gretel Robbins 5'11" | DS/L
MO
Madison Smith
Madison Smith 5'7" | DS/L
MO
Isabel Day
Isabel Day 5'9" | DS/L
MO

We’re wrapping up these postseason recaps with defensive specialists. Depending on who you ask, I’ve saved the best and most important position for last.

Passing and defense can truly make or break a team. The most formidable club and high school squads are the ones that can consistently place the ball on their setter’s head and make every offensive option available. This helps highlight the immense value that a skilled backcourt player can bring to the court.

Here in the Midwest, we have an incredibly long list of players who hold things down in the backcourt day after day. Let’s meet a few of those athletes now.

 

2023s to Follow

The recruitment of 2023s is now at full speed. Let’s take a look at some of the talents we’ve seen in this star-studded class.

Olivia Lombardi Olivia Lombardi Olivia Lombardi 5'7" | DS/L West Des Moines Valley | 2023 State IA continues to carry a family tradition of success at West Des Moines Valley. With older sister Payton headed to Tennessee Tech, Olivia is set to carry the torch for a Valley team that has been known for its ball control.

Meyer

Another Iowa backcourt player that has provided a lot of excitement lately is Ella Meyer Ella Meyer Ella Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Western Dubuque | 2023 State IA . She is a determined libero who is never afraid to graze the floorboards in pursuit of the ball. Meyer manages to execute scramble plays with great control, and that’s always fun to watch.

I’ve talked before about the strong ball control trio of Isabel Day Isabel Day 5'9" | DS/L Park Hill South | 2023 State MO , Caitlyn Cobb, and Alayna Pearson for KC Power 16-1. Their positive touches in the backcourt have allowed their front-row players to shine, and a ton of tournament success has followed.

Madison Smith Madison Smith 5'7" | DS/L St. Joseph’s Academy | 2023 State MO has been another fun defensive specialist to follow. She’s always flying around the back row and makes sprawling saves out of nowhere. I love to see defensive specialists bring some excitement, and that’s exactly what Smith can do.

 

Rising 2024s

There are so many rising sophomores to watch when the high school season gets underway.

How about the pair of 2024s from Elkhorn North? This brand new school has two expert passers in Haylee Wolf and Courtney Christo. I already get the feeling that this squad is on a fast upward trajectory, and these two defensive specialists will be pivotal in Elkhorn North’s ascent.

Alivia Hausmann is another backcourt player that has impressed in both high school and club. She can move so well across the end line, allowing her to get in the right position with ease. Norris is no stranger to producing talented players who can anchor the back row, and Hausmann is another great example.

Lastly, let’s give a shoutout to a few of Missouri’s top defensive talents in this class. Olivia Hasbrook Olivia Hasbrook Olivia Hasbrook 5'8" | DS/L Eureka | 2024 State #66 Nation MO from Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite was one of the standout backcourt performers at GJNCs. Her ability to adjust her platform and get herself in a position to make a play makes Hasbrook one of the most intriguing prospects in the region. Likewise, Gretel Robbins Gretel Robbins Gretel Robbins 5'11" | DS/L Pembroke Hill | 2024 State MO is a natural passer whose presence is a huge asset to her rising MAVS 816 team.

 

Rankings are coming soon. Then, it’s time for the fall season!

Rankings

128 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Lily Dykstra

    Lily Dykstra

    Urbandale

    Northern Iowa
  • 2
    Cassidy Hartman

    Cassidy Hartman

    Iowa City Liberty

    Northern Iowa
  • 3
    Avery Van Hook

    Avery Van Hook

    Marion

    South Dakota
  • 4
    Ava Schubert

    Ava Schubert

    Assumption

  • 5
    Kayla Knowles

    Kayla Knowles

    Denver

    Houston
View Full Rankings

Follow Us

  • prepdig

    Prep Dig

    @prepdig

  • Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald

    @@prepdigchris

  • Austin Kingsley

    Austin Kingsley

    @KingsleyATK

Footer

Prep Network

  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Hoops Next
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer

Company

  • News
  • Careers
  • Partners

Legal

  • Terms of Services
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Recruiting Tips

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact

Subscribe to our newsletter

The latest recruiting news sent to your inbox weekly.

Facebook Instagram Twitter

© 2022 Prep Dig. All rights reserved.