Part 2: Two State Special – ‘Bros You Need To Know
A libero has a chance to totally take over a match. They create energy, momentum, and can do so many positive things on their side of their net to make a difference that goes beyond passing the ball. Between watching…
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Continue ReadingA libero has a chance to totally take over a match. They create energy, momentum, and can do so many positive things on their side of their net to make a difference that goes beyond passing the ball. Between watching athletes from Iowa and Wisconsin over the past few months and even dating back to the summer and the end of club season, there are plenty of liberos who have an extra impact on the court and what they can do for their teams. Here are some who will be taking the court for the Dig Wisconsin and Dig Iowa Top 250.
Wisconsin
Claudia Bobb Claudia Bobb 5'10" | OH Verona | 2022 State WI – Verona – Capital Volleyball Academy
Class of 2022
Bobb is part of a really athletic Verona squad and will play for Capital out of Madison this club season. She’s gritty, athletic, and covers quite a range. Her athleticism and physicality is what sets her apart and makes her a prospect to take note of.
Paige Miller Paige Miller 5'10" | DS/L Kaukauna | 2023 State WI – Kaukauna – FC Elite
Class of 2023
Incredible athlete. Miller is long, athletic, and she can change a game. Teams will serve away from her and she can get a touch on attacks you think for sure are down. She has a lot of spark and energy and is that type of player who can really create momentum and energy for her side of the net.
Elayna Christiensen – Freedom – Impact
Class of 2023
Christiansen was part of a historic year for Freedom that brought them a regional title. She can take the pace of the ball and does a great job of reading the split and finding the second touch. She will play up an age group at the Impact 17s National out of Appleton.
Elle Kennedy – Sheboygan North – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2024
Kennedy has a spark to her game where she has the foundation to be a really solid player. Only a Freshman, she was a key piece to the Sheboygan North varsity squad who played in the Prep Dig Fall League. With her quickness, she can cover plenty of territory.
Claire Luoma – Franklin – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2024
Luoma has the intangibles. She’s entering her 15s year and is only a Freshman, but she shows a lot of promise. Great platform awareness as well as how she moves on the court, she can really send her team into a quick tempo with a solid first contact. The incoming 15s for Sting will be hungry to compete and Luoma is definitely a key piece to that age group.
Kyleigh Coghlan Kyleigh Coghlan 5'6" | DS/L Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI – Kettle Moraine – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2023
Coghlan continues to rise in the Class of 2023 with how she is able to take pace off the ball and serve receive among some of the best. She’s been playing for a talented Kettle Moraine High School squad where she was an all tournament team pick at the state tournament as a Freshman.
Ava Rank Ava Rank 5'5" | DS/L Kimberly | 2023 State WI – Kimberly – FC Elite
Class of 2023
Rank has really elevated her game in the past year and will be a key piece to the ball control for the Kimberly volleyball program which is always one of the tops in the Fox Valley area. A high academic student as well, Rank is ready for that next step in her game where she is the go to defender and make a major impact for her squad.
Kennedy Schmitz – Fox Valley Lutheran – FC Elite
Class of 2023
Schmitz is another who is quietly rising in the Class of 2023. She was a big time player for Fox Valley Lutheran who made it to the sectional final in Division 1 this past high school season. She’s quick, she can read her attackers, and like most of these athletes can really change the momentum of the match with some big time digs to keep the rally alive. Just a fun player to watch.
Alia Schlimgen – Sauk Prairie – Capital Volleyball Academy
Class of 2022
Schlimgen is coming off a state tournament appearance as well as All State honors this past season at Sauk Prairie. Extremely athletic with great foot speed, Schlimgen covers plenty of territory and know how to plays at a high level. She will be one to watch this club season at Capital.
Iowa
Brianna Gartner Brianna Gartner 5'5" | DS/L Davenport Assumptoin | 2022 State IA – Davenport Assumption – Iowa Select
Class of 2022
Gartner is soaring on the radar as libero in the Class of 2022 in Iowa. She was the starting libero for Davenport Assumption who made it to the final four of Class 3A. With over 300 digs on the season and a strong state tournament appearance, Gartner has plenty of momentum heading into the club season where she will play for Iowa Select 17 Mizuno.
Alivia Wolf – Sergeant Bluff – Luton – Kairos Elite (SD)
Class of 2022
Wolf is part of a crew coming from Western Iowa to take on the Iowa Top 250. Sergeant Bluff-Luton has established themselves as a major powerhouse in Class 4A. Wolf was second on her team in digs and assists and will play for Kairos out of Sioux Falls, SD. She’s accustomed to high level competition and year round quality training.
Katherine Kouba Katherine Kouba 5'6" | DS/L Iowa City West | 2022 State IA – Iowa City West – Iowa Rockets
Class of 2022
I have seen Kouba play in matches as well as our showcase and she is really solid. Very athletic and a great court presence, Kouba sets the tone from the service line with an aggressive serve and is able to read the other side of the net extremely well. She will team up with other top athletes from Rockets who will be making the trip to the 250.
Ella Becker Ella Becker 5'6" | DS/L Ankeny Centennial | 2022 State IA – Ankeny Centennial – Club Ignit Select
Class of 2022
Becker is another libero who played at the state tournament in Iowa’s largest class for Ankeny Centennial. She knows how to play against some of the best attackers in the state, she’s seen it all in the CIML. Becker had nearly 350 digs this season.