2020 Player Rankings: Top Liberos
Liberos are so important for a team’s success. They are making the first contact 75% of the time, the 2nd contact 25% of the time, and determine whether their team will operate in or out of system. And yet, who gets the glory?…
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Continue ReadingLiberos are so important for a team’s success. They are making the first contact 75% of the time, the 2nd contact 25% of the time, and determine whether their team will operate in or out of system. And yet, who gets the glory? Typically, the one who got the big kill or block. Here’s a look at some dynamic defenders going into their senior seasons.
Amber Bischel#22 Amber Bischel – 5’7 – Germantown – Committed To Ole Miss
We sometimes forget about a team’s defense when we see there are several offensive weapons to worry about. A team gets excited to return the ball but then realizes Bischel is on the other side and they will have to try a lot harder for that kill. Bischel’s consistent first contact allows her team to stay in system and establish multiple offensive weapons. She had over 563 digs and 70 assists for the Warhawks in 2018. Bischel has already passed the 1,000-dig mark and should have no problem getting to the 2,000 milestone this fall after playing with Wisconsin Juniors 17-1 squad in the 2019 club season.
#60 Ashley Sharkus – 5’8 – Oconomowoc – Committed To Eastern Illinois
Sharkus is part of the dynamic defensive trio that will be fighting for a trip back to the Resch in the fall. She is getting better every year, and hopefully her senior year will be her best yet! Sharkus had a solid club season with VC United and made her verbal commitment to Eastern Illinois in the process.
Caitlin Crawford#21 Caitlyn Crawford – 5’4 – Oconomowoc – Committed To South Carolina
Crawford heads an extremely strong defensive squad for Oconomowoc. She took on the libero role for the Raccoons in 2018 and led the team with 476 digs but also had over 100 assists and 20 aces. Oconomowoc is the Division 1 state runner-up from 2018, and even though they graduated a middle and right side, they have a ton to look forward to with at least 4 returners already committed to Division 1 collegiate programs. Crawford competed with Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold in the 2019 club season.
#11 Erin Powers – 5’8 – Mukwonago – Committed To UAB
Powers operates under the radar but is incredibly effective and an important piece to Mukwonogo’s crew. She was a consistent player in the back row in 2018 and allowed the Indians to be in system. Powers tallied 437 digs this fall while racking up 77 aces. Be on the watch for Powers to reach the 1,000-dig milestone this season. She continued to move up the rankings and improve her game as a member of Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold during this past club season.
Gianna Feld#36 Gianna Feld – Kettle Moraine Lutheran – Committed To Marian (IN)
Feld is a key part of Kettle Moraine Lutheran returners that could be working on a return trip to the Resch in the fall. She was the boss in the back row and will continue to anchor a strong defense in 2019. During the club season, she joined Rylee Vaughn on Milwaukee Sting 17 Black as a strong defensive duo.
#29 Katherine Walch – 5’6 – Green Bay Notre Dame – Committed To Michigan Tech
Walch is a promising libero that tallied up over 500 digs for Notre Dame in 2018 and gets better every season she plays. Notre Dame had a tough 2018 season but will be returning several key pieces including Walch in 2019, who playing for FC Elite 17 Navy this past club season.
#51 McKenna Hall – 5’6 – Westosha Central
Hall is on the rise for the Falcons as she enters her 4th varsity season. She has played different roles in the past but remains a consistent contributor. Over the club season, Hall was making gains with Epic 17s.
Rylee Vaughn#34 Rylee Vaughn – 5’5 – Lake Country Lutheran – Committed To Winona State
Vaughn is consistently making those she plays with better. She helped lead Lake Country Lutheran to a Division 3 State title in 2018 and played for Milwaukee Sting 17 Black during the 2019 club season. Vaughn’s consistent play in the back row and communication skills help her teams succeed.
#15 Sarah Schrader – 5’6 – Hamilton – Committed To UW-Milwaukee
Schrader really had a breakout fall in 2018 for Hamilton as she faced a really tough Greater Metro Conference. She recorded 415 digs for the Chargers as an outside hitter in 2018 and then got to defend against top hitters in the 17’s division as part of Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold where she also had the opportunity to attack.
#24 Tahya Pozorski – 5’6 – Oconomowoc – Committed To Jacksonville State
Pozorski will be in her second season on the Raccoons overwhelming defense where she is always willing to sacrifice her body to keep the play alive. She had over 200 digs in 2018 with 39 aces. Pozorski helped Oconomowoc to a state runner-up finish in 2018 and played for Motion 17 Blu during the 2019 club season.
Others to note:
Lauren Shields#71 Ainsley Apel – 5’5 – Sauk Prairie – Committed To St. Cloud State
#72 Emily Larson – 5’5 – Arrowhead
#85 Amelia Hust – 5’7 – Verona – UW-Oshkosh
#87 Lauren Shields – 5’6 – Newman
#93 Megan Piton – 5’7 – Appleton North – Committed To Colorado Christian
Olivia Stroik#95 Kelsey Henderson – 5’3 – Union Grove
#98 Aubree Bucheger – 5’8 – Oconto
#110 Autumn Stong – Whitnall
#116 Hope Sholten – 5’5 – Sheboygan North
#118 Olivia Stroik – 5’7 – SPASH