2022 Rankings Update: Top 10 Liberos
In case you have been under a rock the last few weeks, we have done a deep dive into our latest Class of 2022 rankings. We broke down the top 10 outside hitters, the top 10 middle hitters, the…
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Continue ReadingIn case you have been under a rock the last few weeks, we have done a deep dive into our latest Class of 2022 rankings.
We broke down the top 10 outside hitters, the top 10 middle hitters, the top 5 right side hitters and the top 10 setters.
That leaves us with just one position, the liberos and defensive specialists. While this position may get overlooked at times, the Class of 2022 brings some tremendous athletes in the back row.
1. Josie Bloom Josie Bloom 5'6" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #150 Nation MI , Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite: Bloom is a great defender that is very well-coached and tested. She’s played alongside some other great defenders and improved her play from it. Bloom brings out her best against the best and continues to get better with each match.
2. Sierra Nausieda Sierra Nausieda 5'7" | DS/L Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI , Grand Rapids Catholic Central/MVA: Nausieda is an aggressive defender that really is able to read the ball well and move with her instincts instead of overthinking plays. A great athlete in the back row that is a consistent playmaker.
3. Amina Robinson Amina Robinson 5'6" | DS/L Mercy | 2022 State MI , Farmington Hills Mercy/Michigan Elite: Robinson really stepped up in a big way for Mercy during their championship season in 2019 and she followed that up with a great 2020. Robinson is calm, cool and collected in the libero jersey and showing off more of her athleticism as her confidence has grown.
4. Summer Jidas Summer Jidas 5'5" | DS/L Clarkston | 2022 State MI , Clarkston/Legacy: Jidas has been thrown into the fire since she was a freshman and played at a very high level. Along with her great passing and defensive skill, she’s also got a really tough serve.
5. Lyse Bates Lyse Bates 5'4" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2022 State MI , Portage Northern/Dead Frog: Bates has been the foundation of the Portage Northern squad. A little firecracker of a player, Bates shows off the explosiveness in clutch points and is willing to take the bumps and bruises to help her team win.
6. Jessica Mondragon Jessica Mondragon 5'6" | DS/L Northville | 2022 MI , Northville/Michigan Elite: Playing for a strong defensive program like Northville, Mondragon is one of many talented options the Mustangs have in the back row. She’s got the quick reflexes to shine with more opportunities.
7. Carlina Bender Carlina Bender 5'5" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2022 State MI , Hudsonville/FaR Out: Bender just racks up digs. Time and time again she is able to make plays. Bender faces some extremely powerful hitters and servers, but always is able to come through. When she doesn’t, she dusts herself off and gets back in the mix.
8. Alina Anderson Alina Anderson 5'5" | DS/L Rockford | 2022 State MI , Rockford/FaR Out: Anderson was a big part of Rockford’s strong 2020 season. She compiled over 600 digs, putting her up there with anyone in the state. Along with her performance on the court, Anderson is a great vocal leader.
9. Raegan Bell Raegan Bell 5'8" | DS/L Oxford | 2022 State MI , Oxford/Unified: Bell is someone that pushes herself to get better and has shown she can be a standout player when given the opportunity. She’s small in stature at 5’3”, but she’s big in heart.
10. Chloe Fornetti Chloe Fornetti 5'9" | DS/L East Kentwood | 2022 State MI , East Kentwood/FaR Out: Fornetti plays up in competition during club season and that has helped her become a very confident player. She plays with a lot of competitive fire and is able to make the tough plays with her athleticism.