14 Defensive Dandies at Rock N Rumble
Some of the nation’s most premier talent was on display at Rock N Rumble. Big heavy hitters, physical towers in the middle and some top notch setters. None of those players would be able to shine so bright without some…
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Continue ReadingSome of the nation’s most premier talent was on display at Rock N Rumble. Big heavy hitters, physical towers in the middle and some top notch setters. None of those players would be able to shine so bright without some cunning defenders to start it all.
These are truly the type of players you don’t want mess with. Willingly putting yourself in the landing zone of an incoming 60 mph rocket is for the insane. But these players do it and they make it look like a walk in the park.
They’re tough and they won’t let you score without a fight. Here are 14 of the best defense dandies at JVA’s Rock N Rumble.
Kalliann Cook Kalliann Cook 5'5" | DS/L Birch Run | 2023 State MI (2023) | 5’5 L | Michigan Elite
Sorry to break it to you attackers out there, if you see this libero across the net, good luck! Kalliann Cook Kalliann Cook 5'5" | DS/L Birch Run | 2023 State MI spearheaded an impressive trio of defensive dandies up Michigan Elite’s sleeve this weekend. Cook is a scrapper for sure. She is quick, she reads the game well and she takes the hardest of rips like a champ.
Hannah Howard Hannah Howard 5'5" | DS/L St. Ursula (Toledo) | 2023 State OH (2023) | 5’4 L | Michigan Elite
Right alongside Cook and getting some libero action this weekend was Hannah Howard Hannah Howard 5'5" | DS/L St. Ursula (Toledo) | 2023 State OH . Like Cook, Howard is quite the scrappy defender herself. Her defensive reads are high level and she has elevated Michigan Elite’s play this season quite a bit. Howard’s reception is also worthy to note as well.
Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI (2023) | 6’0 L | Legacy
What makes this libero so fun to watch is her IQ for the game. Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI was one of the smartest defenders in the tournament. When playing in a gym as stacked with as many elite hitters as she does, this is to no surprise. Vellucci was in her bag this weekend and had every attacker’s number.
Ava Norris (2023) | 5’3 L | KIVA
This athlete became a new favorite of mine over the course of the weekend. Ava Norris is a fun libero to watch. She’s a natural leader on the court and she is quite vocal. Her movement to the ball is so smooth and her touch on the ball is impeccable. What struck me even further was her setting. Norris has a great second contact and always was putting her attackers in good spaces.
Kendall White Kendall White 6'0" | S Lincoln | 2022 State OH (2023) | 5’3 L | Five:1
This ‘bro is easily one of Five:1’s key players and will play a large role all season long. Kendall White Kendall White 6'0" | S Lincoln | 2022 State OH is huge. Well, she’s quite small in size but the way she plays is massive. It’s not so often you see the libero play middle back defense, but when you have someone, like White, that can cover so much ground, its the perfect spot for her.
Ashlee Gnau Ashlee Gnau 5'8" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI (2024) | 5’7 L | Legacy
You can catch her in left back or you can catch her in middle back. Or should I say, she’ll catch YOU? Ashlee Gnau Ashlee Gnau 5'8" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI was one of the top liberos in the 16s division, a large part due to her versatility as a defender. Wherever she is needed, she delivered quite nicely. She was rocking out on defense and that serve was giving fits to all rivals.
Mackenzie Gerig (2024) | 5’7 L | VolleyFX
VolleyFX Mantra is a team that needs to be on everyone’s radar if they aren’t already. Making an impression off the bat is their libero, MacKenzie Gerig. Gerig was a consistent presence all tournament long. She really has a knack for positioning in the perfect spot and holds a very firm platform. In serve receive, Gerig was a very calming presence and put up a great first contact.
Greta McKee Greta McKee 5'5" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI (2024) | 5’6 L | L2
L2 really knows how to make a splashy debut to the national club scene. Greta McKee Greta McKee 5'5" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI was a crucial part of a great opening weekend. McKee was rock solid on all fronts, defense and passing. She has a very clean touch to the ball and puts up a very formidable second ball.
Avery Anders (2024) | 5’5 L | AVC
Another superb libero in the 16s division was AVC’s Avery Anders. This squad is pretty talented and Anders fits in well. She has very great movement around the court and has a steady platform in her defense and in her reception game. Anders also has a very good touch on the second contact, putting up a great out of system set to both of her pins.
McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI (2025) | 5’7 L | Michigan Elite
Michigan Elite’s 15 Mizuno team returns with a lot of talent and McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI was one of the highlights on the weekend. Payne had a very solid outing for the squad. Her reception was quite tough throughout the tournament, not very often was she seen passing less than a 2 ball. Her defense was also pretty solid out of left back after spending the fall camp in middle back.
Evie Huang (2025) | 5’4 L | Metro VBC
This Metro VBC has a lot of young talent that could really make some noise in the next few years and Evie Huang is one of the biggest shining stars. Huang can cover a lot of court space. Her range is quite dynamic and what she can do with the ball at her age is pretty impressive. She had one of the better serves in the 15 Open division. A clean floater that Huang moves around all over was leaving receivers a mess.
Shelby Davis Shelby Davis DS/L Oldham County | 2025 State KY (2025) | 5’8 L/OH | KIVA
Listed as both an outside and a libero, Shelby Davis Shelby Davis DS/L Oldham County | 2025 State KY definitely has the chops it takes to do well in both. She’s one of the lengthier ‘bros I saw all weekend and its all to her benefit. Davis has a great read on the ball and her extra couple of inches in wingspan can really come up huge. Davis showed to have a very concrete reception game and was Some of able to cover a lot of ground there as well.
Nina Alifieri (2025) | 5’4 L | Rock City
Never ever say die when you have this defender on the court. I know I have listed some big scrappers on this list already but Nina Aliferi has to take the crown for scrappiest defender at Rock N Rumble. Aliferi is relentless in her pursuit of the ball and no matter where it is shanked or how high off hands it was hit, she’s gonna get to it. Aliferi was an amazing find out of all the liberos this weekend.
Devin Dzienny (2025) | 5’8 L | Legacy
I wouldn’t serve anywhere near Devin Dzienny if I were you. One of the most consistent, mechanically sound and steady passers on the weekend, I would bet that Dzienny was passing in the mid- to high-2s in serve receive all weekend long. Dzienny does the little things so effortlessly but it didn’t go unnoticed!