Some of the Best From the Backrow at NLQ
I’ll admit, sometimes I have a hard time evaluating a libero/DS. A sort of enigma with all the different skills needed to be one of the best at that position. Even at the college level I’ve heard very different philosophies…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI’ll admit, sometimes I have a hard time evaluating a libero/DS. A sort of enigma with all the different skills needed to be one of the best at that position. Even at the college level I’ve heard very different philosophies on recruiting liberos. Some coaches are willing to give a four year full scholarship, others it might be two years of scholarship money, and others they will get the best walk on possible. I compare a libero to a shortstop in baseball or softball where they don’t always need to make the diving, top ten ESPN play, but make all the routine plays, consistency, being dependable with their communication knowing what ball they will take. Here are some of the top defenders of the backrow from the Northern Lights Qualifier this past weekend.
Jadyn Jondle – Six Pack 16-1 (IA) – Class of 2021
I’ve seen Jondle play before at the state tournament in Iowa and getting a closer look this weekend really showed Jondle’s ability to take over a game and take an outside hitter off her game. A lockdown defender where she’s not only solid in the first contact, but anticipates the second contact to keep rallies alive and chances to score points.
Erin Powers – Sting 17 Gold (WI)- Class of 2020
Committed to UAB
Powers is really owning the libero position for Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold who clinched an Open bid this past weekend. A consistent, dependable force in the back row, Powers is always under control making it look really easy to take pace off a hard driven swing. Between Powers and outside Sarah Schrader, the serve receive for this squad is so solid.
Peyton Kriegel – Iowa Rockets 17R (IA)- Class of 2020
Kriegel was part of the Iowa Rockets 17R American Division championship squad. This team was just really steady all weekend and for Kriegel she puts herself in the right position and is really solid when it comes to establishing a great angle for her platform out of serve receive and seeing the ball make contact on her platform all the way to the target. Again, overall very consistent and solid.
Elisabeth Tomlin – VCN Nebraska (NE) – Class of 2021
Tomlin brings a really athletic style to the libero position. Long, with a lot of range, Tomlin finds a way to get a touch on everything while still maintaining control. VCN has an extremely athletic lineup and Tomlin continues to lead from the back putting it on point to stay in system.
Brilee Wieseler – Nebraska Elite 16 2.0 – Class of 2021
NE Elite has a team that just plays with a lot of fire and intensity. Wieseler is a steady force that is able to provide a really solid first contact to let Allison Gray run the offense. This team was able to snag their bid to compete at 16 Open USAV this summer in Indy.
Payton Lombardi – CIS 17M (IA) – Class of 2021
Lombardi as well as her teammates are so athletic. Lombardi’s physical style of play really allows her to get a read of swings that most liberos won’t get to.
Anna Flynn – CIS 16M (IA) – Class of 2021
Flynn is cool, calm, and collected for her CIS team who has a bid from the Iowa Region. Competing in 16 Open this past weekend will continue to propel CIS to continue to see top level competition as they move towards the national tournament. Flynn as well as the rest of her teammates were able to get a lot of exposure in the Open division before they go quiet until after their Sophomore year when they can resume communication with college coaches.
Mackenzie Leach – Sting 16 White (WI) – Class of 2021
Leach has always been in between playing outside hitter and DS throughout high school and club, but this past club season she has owned the libero position. She sets the tempo from the service line with a hard, flat serve that is consistently putting the other side out of system. Her court demeanor and body language is always consistent and she is always under control with a consistent platform where she can keep the ball in-system.
Other Notables:
Saige Damrow – FC Elite 16 Navy – Class of 2023
Emmersyn Wedgbury – CIA 16 Black – Class of 2021
Caidince Cleveland – Iowa Select 16 Mizuno – Class of 2021
Josie Salzman – Milwaukee Sting 17 White – Class of 2020
Anna Holland – Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold – Class of 2021
Katherine Walch -FC Elite 17 Navy – Class of 2020