The Digging Machines: Top Returning Liberos
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The state of Michigan is chock full of some of the best volleyball talent in the nation. Just in the past two months, three different club teams were crowned national champions and several others placing within the top ten. But…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Michigan is chock full of some of the best volleyball talent in the nation. Just in the past two months, three different club teams were crowned national champions and several others placing within the top ten.
But that was club, and now we are onto a whole new beast – high school season. And Prep Dig is going to be breaking down all of the top returners to the 2022 HS season. Last, but not least, let’s check out some of the top returning liberos.
Kalliann Cook Kalliann Cook 5'5" | DS/L Birch Run | 2023 State MI – 5’4 L – Birch Run
One of the most dynamic defenders you’ll find in the state, Kalliann Cook Kalliann Cook 5'5" | DS/L Birch Run | 2023 State MI has been the heartbeat of this Panther squad for the last few years now. Entering her final season in Birch Run, Cook has already cemented herself as a program legend. As the program’s number one defender in multiple categories, this season will make her records almost untouchable going forward.
Allison Berent Allison Berent 5'7" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2023 State #187 Nation MI – 5’7 L – Notre Dame Prep
You have to really admire the consistency that Notre Dame Prep has at producing some of the best liberos year in and year out. Allison Berent Allison Berent 5'7" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2023 State #187 Nation MI has been a mainstay for the Irish throughout her career but will now finally get her time to shine in the off-colored jersey. Taking her ball to the SEC next season with Alabama, Berent is for sure looking to hunt down another title for the Irish.
Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI – 5’4 L – Lake Odessa
One of the hottest up-and-coming defenders of the state, Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI has already created quite the name for herself and she will only be a junior. And this season will be the season Piercefield will really be put to the test as Odessa graduates All-American Maradith O’Gorman. Piercefield proved during the club season that she can handle a HUGE load and will have to do the same this fall.
McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI – 5’7 OH/L – St. Mary’s Catholic Central
I wouldn’t be shocked to see McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI don the off-colored jersey or bringing out the guns on the left side this season for the Kestrels. But which ever it is, Payne will bring the pain. Last season saw her on the pins and establish herself as a first-team All-State performer, but the club season saw her amongst the top liberos in the country.
Norah Tisko Norah Tisko 5'8" | DS/L Royal Oak Shrine | 2023 State MI – 5’6 L – Shrine
Another Division 3 standout, Norah Tisko Norah Tisko 5'8" | DS/L Royal Oak Shrine | 2023 State MI just barely missed out on the opportunity at playing under the lights in Kellogg Arena. Upset by the eventual champions, Reese, Tisko and company have the bitter taste in their mouth and will look to move past the quarterfinal hump. Tisko is an unbeatable receiver and defender in this division and will look to go out with a bang.
Hailey Green Hailey Green 5'1" | DS/L North Branch | 2024 State MI – 5’1 L – North Branch
Another big time performer from last year’s Division 2 final four, Hailey Green Hailey Green 5'1" | DS/L North Branch | 2024 State MI has become the face of North Branch Volleyball and their return to Kellogg. She’s small in stature but her play is huge! Green is easily an x-factor for this team with all of the big hitters, without her consistency, they would be lost.
Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI – 6’0 L/OH – Novi
Another potential here or there, Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI is touted as one of the best liberos in the country for the 2023 class, but she has had her fair share taking swings on the pin. Regardless of where she is, Vellucci offers up her bread and butter which is reception and with that you could do virtually anything with it.
Lexi Smith – 5’4 L – Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay is very well my sleeper pick for the coming season, largely due to the back court play of Lexi Smith. Smith is coming off of a national championship winning season with Legacy, alongside Vellucci, and was a huge player for them. She returns to the Bay with a lot of experience under her belt and some good supporting cast to make big waves this season.
Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI – 5’6 L – Northville
Another one of my favorites going into the season are the Mustangs of Northville, again, largely due to the big play of their libero, Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI . She mans the three-headed beast in the back court supported by Ashlee Gnau Ashlee Gnau 5'8" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI and Greta McKee Greta McKee 5'5" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI . With the addition of setter, Ella Craggs Ella Craggs 5'9" | S Northville | 2025 State #127 Nation MI , this team may run the tables in Michigan this season.
Kendall White Kendall White 5'6" | DS/L St. Johns | 2023 State MI – 5’5 L – St. Johns
If you’re looking for a scrappy, never-say-die, defender to watch this season, you will need to buy a ticket to a St. Johns game. Kendall White Kendall White 5'6" | DS/L St. Johns | 2023 State MI is the epitome of scrappy defense and there’s never a ball she can’t get to. Like many other Bro’s on the list, White is the heartbeat for St. Johns and will be heavily reliant on her throughout the season.