Part 2 – Best Of The “Bros”: Top Liberos of 2018
Year after year we see the glory given to the hitters. But what about those players who get their teams in system and save the balls that most have given up on? When I was in high school, the libero position was…
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Continue ReadingYear after year we see the glory given to the hitters. But what about those players who get their teams in system and save the balls that most have given up on? When I was in high school, the libero position was making its way into the club season. I was blessed enough to be able to lead my high school team as a setter, while embracing the new libero position on the club scene, knowing my height limited my chances of playing collegiately as a setter.
Liberos need to be top-notch in serve-receive, defense, and serving. They also lead their teams with the relentless pursuit attitude that is “defense” and provide the team energy. Liberos need grit, athleticism, discipline, and consistency in order to be successful at an elite level. Here are some of the top liberos of 2018.
Class of 2020
Tahya PozorskiTahya Pozorski – Oconomowoc (31-8) – Motion 17 Blue
Pozorski is 1 of 3 insanely good defenders for Oconomowoc and helped them to the D1 State Championship match. She will also lead the defense for Motion 17 Blue this season. Pozorski has experience training with High Performance and a top high school program, so she would be an awesome addition for any college program.
Caitlin Crawford – Oconomowoc (31-8) – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold
Committed to South Carolina
Crawford is another part of Oconomowoc’s deadly defensive trio. She led Oconomowoc with 476 digs in 2018 and will be working for a career 1,000 digs in 2019. She will partner up with Erin Powers (2020 – 5’7 – Defensive Specialist/Libero – Mukwonago) to anchor Sting 17 Gold’s defense.
Class of 2021
Sam NaberSamantha Naber – Burlington (38-5) – Sky High
Committed to Marquette
Naber blasted onto the Wisconsin prep volleyball scene when she led the Burlington Demons to winning a D1 State Title in 2017. If you get to watch Naber play, you will see her play like a veteran with a solid platform who sharply reads the hitters. She has a knack for making a dig on a hard hit ball look easy. Naber embodies the Burlington way of hard core defense and scrappiness.
Anna Holland – Waukesha West (35-11) – Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold
Committed to Seton Hall
Holland is the main defender for Sting 16 Gold this season after a strong season with West. She recently committed to Seton Hall and will be a force for the next 2 seasons. Holland led the Wolverines with 446 digs, as well as got a few matches in playing middle blocker when teammates were injured.
Isabella Holcomb – Catholic Memorial (36-13) – Milwaukee Sting 16 Black
Holcomb tallied 54 aces and 349 digs for the Crusaders in 2018. Since they will be graduating some key players, Holcomb, along with fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Riley (5’11 – Middle Blocker), will have to lead the charge in 2019. Holcomb is well trained from a strong high school program and top- notch club.
Class of 2022
Adriana StuderAdriana Studer – Lake Country Lutheran (38-11) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Studer is quick, reads well, and is very good at identifying what is happening on the other side of the net both offensively and defensively. She is a strong communicator with her attackers about what is open, as well as the opponent’s block. Studer has drawn interest from some top programs and would be a great addition with training from a solid high school program, top club, and USAV high performance.