Before the Cavaliers can celebrate a kill, Anistyn Craig knows the work often starts on the other side of the net. The Cookeville Lady Cavs defender has embraced the responsibility of creating quality first contacts while using communication and anticipation to keep the team’s offense moving.
Craig is establishing herself as the defensive anchor for the Lady Cavaliers by focusing on high standards and consistent ball control.
Craig said the transition into her defensive role was supported by the encouragement of her teammates. Craig said the other players on the roster have maintained a level of expectation that has helped her grow within the position.
“It was a position to step into, but the girls around me have been super encouraging and they’ve held me to a standard that I’ve been great, very grateful to have been held to,” Craig said.
Craig said she finds value in being the player responsible for the first contact on the ball. Craig said the ability to deliver a pass to the setter creates the foundation for the team to score.
“It’s awesome to have a first ball contact and to be able to get a pass up to the setter and it’s awesome to just see us being able to get a kill off a great pass because it just the energy and the momentum is just so amazing,” Craig said.
Craig said her process for reading an opponent begins with tracking the set to determine where the ball is going. Craig said she then focuses on the physical cues of the hitter, specifically watching their shoulders and hands to anticipate the direction of the attack.
“It is very, very important,” Craig said. “It helps you not hesitate, it helps my it helps my teammates figure out where they’re at on the court as well as me, and it just helps us decide whose ball is whose and where to go and just who to get the ball really, it kind of helps with that a lot.”
Craig said communication is the primary tool used to prevent hesitation among the players on the court. Craig said clear talking allows the defense to determine ball pursuit and helps every player understand their positioning during a rally.
“It can definitely change momentum because if your defense is shut down or if your serve receive is shut down, you can’t get a ball to the offense and the offense cannot put the ball down, which hurts your teammates and your players on your team not being able to do their job because you have to do yours,” Craig said.
Craig said the success of the offense is entirely dependent on the defense performing its job first.
