Class Of ’24 Defenders That You Should See
I hope everyone’s holiday was both joyful AND triumphant. My heart did NOT grow two sizes yesterday, so the grind continues. Here are five defenders whose grind never ends. Lola Schumacher Lola Schumacher 5'4" | DS/L Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI hope everyone’s holiday was both joyful AND triumphant. My heart did NOT grow two sizes yesterday, so the grind continues. Here are five defenders whose grind never ends.
Lola Schumacher Lola Schumacher 5'4" | DS/L Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024 State #60 Nation IN , 5-4, Munciana, Brebeuf
Fresh off of a state title run, the top defender on my list is as smooth as they come. Seemingly always in the right spot, with a perfect pass following, her defense is second to none. On serve receive, you can trust Lola to take half the court, with exceptional footwork and a quiet upper body. She’s getting Munciana training as well, making her better every day. Lola is a left-back master, and I feel it would be a waste to put her elsewhere.
Brenna Ginder Brenna Ginder 5'5" | DS/L Carroll Fort Wayne | 2024 State #137 Nation IN , 5-3, Team Pineapple , Carroll
My description of Brenna is goofy, so hear me out. Miss Ginder is a duck on a pond. Above the water, she’s etherial, calm and controlled. Below the water, her feet are constantly going. At first glance, one would think that without a stopped base, she’d struggle at this level. Just the opposite; her feet get her to every ball, even those off-speed shots that seem just out of reach for most defenders. She’s a left-back genius, but can work all three positions exceptionally.
Kamryn Utley Kamryn Utley 5'8" | S Cathedral | 2024 State IN , 5-7, Rev, Lawrence North
I list Kamryn here because of her versatility. She’s just as capable of wearing the special jersey as she is running a 5-1 offense, and that’s not hyperbole. I’ve seen her do both, and well. As a defender, her physicality and strength show, and she takes longer strides and uses her hands regularly if she ever overruns a ball.
Camila Adams Camila Adams 5'8" | DS/L Providence | 2024 State IN , 5-8, KIVA, Providence
Another hybrid of a player, Camila can easily be a six-rotation outside if you let her. For KIVA, she’s a defender that can either be the ‘bro or a three-rotation option, similar to how Nebraska uses Kenzie Knuckles. Her serve receive is top notch, she can defend at a high level, and is a gym rat through and through. In the nearly two years I’ve done this gig, none in this class have shown more drive and determination to get to the next level like Miss Adams.
Katie Smith Katie Smith 5'3" | DS/L Roncalli | 2024 State IN , 5-2, Academy, Roncalli
Found on the 16 Elite Phoenix (16-2) roster at Academy, she can and should wear the special jersey going into this club season. I got a chance to really watch her at our Prep Dig Top 250 Expo a few weeks ago, and her silky smooth movements and constant work as a floor general make her a prime candidate for the ‘bro position. Her training has made her consistently better over the last two years, and I can’t wait for club season to come around just to watch her control a match on first contact.